The island of Korčula, one of the Adriatic's most heavily forested islands, was formerly known for its black pines as Black Korčula, and is today widely known for its wines and olive oils. Not far behind in fame are the historical events whose secrets are still carefully kept in Korčula, the town of towers and ramparts. This island of sword dances and vocal bands is certain to fill the summer not only with its opulent tradition, but also with the wildest modern parties. The mystic past of Korčula island is evident in the picture-book small towns, the chief among which is the walled Korčula town. The fishbone pattern of medieval streets stretches along the town's peninsula, surrounded by as many as eight preserved towers. The fortified Korčula also holds the secrets of the world's most famous traveller, Marco Polo, the house of whose birth is, according to legend, situated in the very heart of the old town. A place of old vineyards, Lumbarda, holds its ancient treasure - the Psephisma, a twenty-three century old stone tablet, one of Europe's most ancient written documents, which testifies to the Greek colonization of Korčula. The thread of history was woven into the small fishing towns as well, transmuting the quiet harbor village of Kneže into a site famous for the discovery of Roman mosaics. Korčula is an island of sword dances which are performed all summer long to the music of drums and bagpipes. Blato, Čara, Smokvica and Pupnat cherish the sword dance Kumpanija, Žrnovo town has its Moštra, and Korčula town the most spectacular of them all - the Moreška, a sword dance performed to the music of a brass band. The peak of the summer, when Korčula streets turn into a dancefloor, is the masqueraded Half New Year's Eve celebration on June 30. The festivities spread to idyllic coves like Prigradica, Prižba and Gršćica, where fishermen's feasts take place. Vela Luka, famous for acapella folk singing, delights with this staple of Dalmatian folk culture, the sounds of which are heard throughout the summer.