Unique in the world: Marco Polo's house, a stone’s throw from Lešić Dimitri palace.
Lešić Dimitri Palace stands in the heart of the medieval town of Korcula, overlooking the sparkling Adriatic sea. Marco Polo travelled far and wide, but his roots were in Korčula. Inspired by his travels, the Palace was lovingly restored and now offers Croatia’s most exclusive coastal accommodation.
As you breakfast on the terrace by the sea, watch the fishermen come back with your lunch ; discuss what the chef bought at the market that morning and which of the best local wines and olive oils you want to try. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the Spa, taking the palace’s sailing boat out for a spin or losing yourself in the magical streets of the old town. Sundowners and klapa music bring on the evening as another day in this island paradise rolls by.
The Lešić Dimitri Palace lies within the ancient walls of the medieval town of Korčula, off Croatia’s coast. The building dates from the 17th-Century, when rich local landowners combined six adjacent houses to create an urban palace.
By the advent of Napoleonic rule, the palace was suffering from neglect. It was soon turned to public use, being used partly as a school. While its fine masonry survived, the many timbered parts suffered considerable damage. Rescue came in the form of a new owner, who bought the palace in 2000, and set about a painstaking restoration with the aim of returning it—precisely—to its former splendor. A dedicated team was formed, including specialist roles covering historical, restoration, and archeological research. A team of four oversaw the architectural design. The result was a deeply sympathetic restoration—a process that took some eight years to complete. The palace’s spacial form and decorative detail were fully retained, as well as the mediaeval town’s distinct fishbone layout.
