Lokrum Island, Dubrovnik Croatia
Just 600 meters from the Old Town of Dubrovnik lies lush Lokrum Island. The quiet setting, dense vegetation, crystal-clear water, and numerous beaches make it a haven for locals seeking to escape the heat of summer. This tropical paradise just a few minutes from stony medieval Dubrovnik forms a welcome contrast, and the island has a fascinating history.
Lokrum Island was first settled in the 9th century by Benedictine monks, who built an abbey and cultivated exotic plants. The remains of the abbey can still be seen today.
In 1192, returning from the Third Crusade, King Richard the Lionhearted survived a shipwreck that cast him on to Lokrum Island. His gratitude led to the building of the Assumption Cathedral in Dubrovnik.
In 1808, the last of the Benedictines left the island, and legend tells that they cursed it for those who would try to take it in the future.
In 1859, Archduke Maximillian Ferdinand of Habsburg built a mansion on the island, with a magnificent garden full of exotic plants and tropical wonders. The island was owned by his wife Archduchess Charlotte of Austria. After Maximillian was executed and Charlotte went insane, the island passed to Archduchess Elizabeth Marie of Austria. It was then claimed by Yugoslavia, who paid Elizabeth Marie $575,000 for the island in a court settlement.
In 1959, Lokrum’s legacy as a tropical garden was cemented with the founding of a Botanical Garden, containing a wide variety of plants from all over the world, and still inhabited by Maximillan’s peacocks.
Today, in addition to the Botanical Garden, Lokrum Island is a Nature Preserve and a popular site for relaxation and recreation.
Things to do on Lokrum Island:
Visit the Benedictine ruins: There is a restaurant located on the site of the ancient monastery, and visitors can dine in a relaxing setting amongst the remains of their architecture and gardens.
Visit the Botanical Gardens: The huge collection palm trees, cacti, and eucalyptus in the botanical gardens are part of Maximillian’s legacy on Lokrum Island. The collection has grown to include more than 800 species of exotic plants.
Fort Royal: Of course, this is Dubrovnik, so the highest point on Lokrum Island is topped with a fort. Fort Royal is a small star-shaped tower, and offers great views of Lokrum Island, Dubrovnik, and the Adriatic Sea. While the Fort was built by the French, it has become sentimentally attributed to Maximillian.
Charlotte’s Well: The Well of Charlotte is a small water reservoir constructed near the time of Fort Royal, and likewise built by the French but attributed to the Habsburgs. A walk around Lokrum Island will take you to this site, as well as to Maximillian’s old gardens.
The Dead Sea: Lokrum has a small inland lake filled with salt water, fed by the surrounding ocean. It is a popular swimming spot due to the tranquil water.
Swim, snorkel, sunbathe: Finally, all manner of water sports are enjoyed off the welcoming shores of Lokrum Island. There are sheltered spots beneath pine trees to escape the sun, or sunny beaches in which to enjoy it. Be aware that some of the beaches are reserved for naturalists, so be attentive to the signs if that isn’t your thing.
The legend of the curse of Lokrum Island has been embellished for centuries, adding to the mystique of the place, while in no way diminishing the enjoyment of it. Some say that the reason these stories were repeated and enhanced so enthusiastically was to keep people away from the island, making it a safe place for lover’s trysts. Today, it is a destination enjoyed by everyone seeking to escape the heat of the city and enjoy the pleasures of sunny beaches, peaceful walks, and natural settings.
We know that unlike many of our well-trodden destinations, Croatia may seem like a step out of the comfort zone. But don’t let a few strange letters of their alphabet scare you off! Once you check out our brief eBook about what to expect on your first trip to Dubrovnik, you will realize that it is much more simple that you imagine. Download it right here:
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