This is the largest town on the island;
there are 5000 inhabitants in this municipality
located 42 kilometres from the town of Korcula.
Vela Luka is the final destination on the
highway that runs across the island. The
town developed at the end of the 19th century
in a deep, protected inlet. Alongside residential
homes, there are also several hotels and
the Kalos rehabilitation centre for rheumatic
diseases. The citizens work in agriculture,
fishing, and tourism, although many are
employed at the Greben shipyard, the Jadranka
fish factory and other smaller industrial
and economic factories. The cultural centre
is located in the renovated Baroque building,
and the old Kastel villa is the site of
a valuable archaeological collection gathered
from the well known Neolithic site Vela
Spilja (Cave), as well as from Roman localities
near the town. Alongside these historic
pieces, there is also a collection of modern
art: paintings, graphics and sculptures
created by national and international artists
donated to Vela Luka in the 1970s. In the
large private exhibition in the Anka Prizmic
Sega Gallery, opened in 1983, there are
also numerous sculptures and paintings by
this local artist.
The parish Church of
St. Ivan is a classical construction completed
in 1848. Displayed at the Church are the
Stations of the Cross, 15 smaller reliefs
made by Anka Prizmic.
The Chapel of St.
Vincent from 1589 was constructed in phases;
there is a bust of Don Ivo Oreb, a priest
that encouraged the cultural development
of this town during the 20th century, the
work of Anka Prizmic. On top of the chapel,
there is a bronze Pieta by the same artist.
The Hum cultural artist society nurtures
music and folklore, as well as choir singing.
There are numerous a capella singing groups
(klapa) in the town; the best known are
Osjak and Greben who have achieved success
in Croatia and abroad due to their high
level of artistry.
There are numerous coves
perfect for swimming near Vela Luka, and
the forested islet Osjak is especially appealing.
The parish Church of
St. Ivan is a classical construction completed
in 1848. Displayed at the Church are the
Stations of the Cross, 15 smaller reliefs
made by Anka Prizmic.
