Caraf

(763 inhabitants) is simared on the main island road, 25 km from Korcula. The village has a mysterious name (Cara - Charm) and is one of the oldest settlements of the Island. The parish church of Saint Petes in the middle of the village was mentioned in 1415, and the most valuable painting in it is the famous altar painting Christ with Desciples by Leandro Hassano. Next to she church, there is a neither old cypress which is protected under Croatian laws for the preservation of nature, though ir is not protected from thunderstorms which reduced it to only a remnant of a big tree. Opposite the church, on the road, there is a monument to the legendary brothers Crnomiri. Under the leadership of Petar Crnomir, they offered resistance to the Venetian duke, who was extorting tribute in the 11th century. The duke captured and executed Petar, but the brothers and the whole village rose up, defeated the duke's soldiers and killed the duke as an evil-doer. This legend has survived for centuries and lives still in the minds of peasants from Cara. The Church of Our Lady in the Field lies in the beautiful Field of Cara on the way to the bay of Zavalatica. It was built in 1329 and reconstructed in the 17th century. Christians from all over the island go on pilgrimage to this church for two Catholic feasts: July 25th, the feast of Saint Jacob the protector of Cara, and for the feast of Mala Gospa, on September 8th. A young shepherdess from Cara had a vision of the Our Lady in the bay of Cavica Luka on July 25 1686. The Baroque altar is this church is decorated with coloured alabaster relief with four scenes from the Bible. The reliefs are of the same origin as those exhibited in the Treasury in Korcula (15th.) Cara has preserved the sword dance Kumpaniiia, which is performed on July 25 on the feast of St. Jacob. The tradition of singing Dalmatian popular folk songs has also been preserved. The best known product of Cara, besides good olive oil, is the famous white wine from the autochthonic vine of Posip. The new wine factory and olive press are both at the edge of the valley. Not far from Cara, the little port of Zavalatica was developed to export the products in earlier times. Today it is an enchanting tourist attraction. Numerous small pensions, villas and apartments for hiring at Zavalatica and the nearby bay of Zitna provide summer homes to well-satisfied tourists from all over Europe.>