House of Marco Polo | Korcula

Information

Landmark: House of Marco Polo
City: Korcula
Country: Croatia
Continent: Europe

House of Marco Polo, Korcula, Croatia, Europe

The House of Marco Polo (Kuća Marka Pola) is a historical site and museum in the Old Town of Korčula, traditionally identified as the birthplace of the famous 13th-century explorer.

Visual Characteristics

The site consists of a 14th-century stone tower and the ruins of a residential building. It features characteristic Dalmatian Gothic and Renaissance stonework. The most prominent feature is the rectangular lookout tower (loggia), which provides an elevated viewpoint over the Korčula archipelago and the Pelješac Channel. The interior has been modernized as an interactive visitor center following a major reconstruction project.

Location & Access Logistics

The house is located at Ulica Depolo, 20260, Korčula.

Access: Situated in the northern part of the pedestrianized Old Town. Access is via narrow, stepped stone streets (kalas).

Admission: A ticket is required to enter the museum and climb the tower.

Proximity: 0.1km north of St. Mark’s Cathedral and 0.3km from the main ferry terminal.

Historical Origin

While the Venetian explorer Marco Polo is widely associated with Venice, local Korčulan tradition and some historical documents suggest his family (Depolo) originated from this island, then part of the Venetian Republic. The existing structure dates to the 14th and 15th centuries, built on the foundations of an earlier house. In 1298, a major naval battle between Venice and Genoa took place off the coast of Korčula, during which Marco Polo was captured and later imprisoned in Genoa, where he dictated his travels.

Key Highlights & Activities

The Lookout Tower: Offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the red-tiled roofs of the Old Town and the surrounding sea.

Museum Exhibits: Interactive displays and multimedia installations detailing Polo’s journey to the East and the "Silk Road."

Depolo Street: The narrow alley leading to the house, which remains one of the most photographed spots in the city.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Operating Hours: Generally 09:00–21:00 during summer months; reduced or by-appointment hours in winter.

Facilities: A small museum shop is located at the entrance.

Connectivity: Excellent 5G coverage in the surrounding streets.

Accessibility: Very poor. The site requires navigating steep, narrow stone stairs both to reach the building and to ascend the tower; it is not wheelchair accessible.

Best Time to Visit

Photography: Early morning or late afternoon to capture the golden light on the stone tower and avoid the glare of the midday sun.

Avoid Crowds: Between 10:00 and 13:00, the site is often congested with day-trip groups from cruise ships and catamarans.

Facts & Legends

A historical oddity is that the "Depolo" surname still exists on the island today. While historians in Venice dispute the Korčula birth claim, the town officially celebrates its connection to the explorer. A popular local legend states that the tower was used by Polo's ancestors to track merchant ships arriving from the Levant long before his famous expedition to China.