Vrnik Castle was in ruins when its owner bought it in 1999. Built from rock chiseled from the same island quarries that supplied the stone for many of Dalmatia’s most opulent palaces and buildings, it is thought to have originated sometime during the fifteenth century, first as a chapel and later as a small castle-fortress. The property is located on the tiny island of Vrnik in the middle of a pine-covered archipelago near the old Venetian town of Korcula. Its beachfront location offers splendid views of the sea and mountainous mainland and other nearby islands. The owner, a Croatian artist who moved to Sweden in the 1960's, has spent years creating this island retreat and his signature is everywhere. The three-storey house has been meticulously reconstructed incorporating many of its original features - handcarved stone lintels, exposed stone walls and floors, alcoves, open hearth and privy - with modern amenities and an eclectic array of unexpected and curious objects d'art. A lovely paved courtyard to the rear of the house gives access to the kitchen and living room and opens up to a garden and trellised patio and guest cottage in the corner. Upstairs there are two double bedrooms, each on its own floor with windows and balconies overlooking the gardens and sea. The main garden extends across the front of the house and is set on a series of tiered, drystone walls. Its sunny, elevated position above the beach creates a private, yet open space for relaxing and enjoying Vrnik’s earthly pleasures. It has an olive grove and court for playing boules, steps that lead up and down to different levels, and a terrace with a little stone table and driftwood trellis. At the side of the house nearest the kitchen is an herb garden and covered patio with open-air fireplace and bread oven. One of Vrnik’s most delightful features are the sculptures and artwork that the owner has created and positioned about the garden in a casual, often unexpected way. Derived from the raw material of his land, some are left to sit on garden walls or tucked away in corners. Others are sculpted into the house’s masonry and stone lintels, or transformed into chimney pots and mobiles. One of the garden’s most engaging pieces is a bright turquoise bench that sits in a corner by the sea, fashioned from driftwood and oak planks and topped with a canopy of thatched palms.
Vrnik Castle can be reached by motorboat (six minutes) from Korcula Old Town which is just across the channel from Orebic where our gourmet and discovery tours are based. Guests will have use of a small private motorboat for the duration of their stay and will be provided with a tank full of petrol and basic instructions from the owner in handling the boat. Please make note that Vrnik has no shops, restaurants, roads or amenities. The nearest town for shopping and buying groceries is Lumbarda, 1000 metres from Vrnik on the southern end of Korcula Island. On arrival in Korcula, your skipper will make a stop in Lumbarda so that you can buy some provisions for the first couple of days of your stay. Upon request, arrangements can be made with the owner for taxi boat transfers to and from Korcula Old Town should you wish to visit the town in the evening for dinner.
House (sleeps 4/6) + separate cottage (2) • Ground floor: Kitchen (stove, oven, fridge, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, filter coffee maker, electric water kettle,toaster,), living/dining room (open fireplace, double sofa bed, TV, radio/CD player), WC • First floor: Bathroom (WC, shower), double bedroom (walk-through), small balcony and stairs leading to third floor • Second floor: Double bedroom with small balcony • Separate cottage in garden with bunk beds, ensuite bathroom (shower, WC) • Outdoors: 1,000 m2 of outdoor living space overlooking the sea, terraces, outdoor eating areas, BBQ, bread/pizza oven, herb and flower gardens, boule court • Exit to pebbly beach • Small motor boat • Approx. transfer times by private boat: Local market, shops, restaurants, Korcula Town and ferry terminal: 6-10 mins; Approx. transfer times by ferry/catamaran: Orebic and Peljesac Peninsula: 15 mins, Dubrovnik: 3 hrs, Split: 3 hrs (by catamaran) • Approx. driving times (from Orebic): Dubrovnik: 2 hrs; Dubrovnik airport: 2.5 hrs; Split: 3 hrs
N.B. Vrnik Castle is reached only by boat and the last 50 metres or so from the boat dock to the actual property is on foot.
N.B. This property does not have AC, however fans are supplied.
Price includes: 7 nights self-catering at Vrnik Castle • Use of private motor boat for the duration of stay • Private transfers by boat from Korcula Town to Vrnik Island • Private winetasting on Peljesac, walk in vineyards and lunch at rural taverna • Walking tour of ancient hillside villages and Orebic Town, lunch at rural taverna • Taxes • Gourmet Notes • Maps
N.B. Price does not include flights. Please contact us for further info regarding flights.
*Prices may differ depending on size of party and departure date
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