Mala Knezeva Kula (Small Governor’s Tower), Korcula

The Small Governor’s Tower stands on the southwestern side of Korčula’s Old Town, close to the harbour. Built in 1449, this cylindrical stone tower is also known as Lombardo Tower, after Governor Lombardo, who was responsible for its construction. His coat of arms, intricately carved into the masonry, remains one of the tower’s most distinctive features and a reminder of the Venetian administration that once governed the island.

The tower formed part of Korčula’s medieval fortifications, which were designed to protect the settlement from attacks by sea and land. Its position near the waterfront made it an important element of the town’s defensive system. The nearby Large Governor’s Tower was added later, around the end of the 15th century, as the town’s defences continued to develop. Together, the two towers strengthened the southwestern section of the walls and helped safeguard the harbour and the Governor’s Palace.

Today, the Small Governor’s Tower offers visitors a glimpse into Korčula’s military and political history. Though modest in size compared with some of the town’s other fortifications, it is a valuable reminder of the careful planning that helped protect this Adriatic settlement during the Venetian period.