Lokrum Island
Lokrum Island is a beautiful forested island next to Dubrovnik. The perfect solace just minutes from the Old Town, the island of Lokrum is a nature reserve and offers peace and tranquility that you will fall in love with. Walk along the nature paths and make friends with the many peacocks that call the island home, go exploring the fort or find your favorite swimming spot to cool off. Only a 20 minutes ferry ride from the Old Town Port it is also a great choice if you are planning a short visit to Dubrovnik and looking for a quick escape from the Old Town crowds.
Tips before you visit Lokrum Island:
- Lokrum Island Tickets: island is nature reserve and best option is to buy official ticket which include entrance to nature reserve and ferry ticket.
- Drinks & Food: there are toilets and water on the island, including cafe bars and restaurants.
- Last Boat: do not miss the last boat from the island. That time can vary depending on time of the year. It is recommendable always to check on ferry time table.
Lokrum Island of Kings and Legends
According to legend, Richard the Lion-heart shipwrecked in 1192 after returning home from the crusades and found himself cast ashore, safe on island, and he pledged to build a church on the island indebted for the salvation but at the plea of Dubrovnik citizens, the church was not built on island but in The City instead. That church is still there waiting for your visit. Benedictine monks established an abbey and monastery on it. The monks were evicted in 1808 after the French took possession of the island, but before they left, they put a curse on the island: they circled the island in a mysterious procession, clutching lit candles turned upside down. Leaving a trail of wax, they chanted the horrifying words “Whosoever claims Lokrum for his own personal pleasure shall be damned!” Even nowadays nobody owns Lokrum.
Foresty reserve protected by Unesco
The name of the island indicates that plants from different parts of the world have been grown here since ancient times (Latin: acrumen = sour fruit). The Benedictines planted the first useful gardens on this island in the 11th century. They also started to introduce some decorative species. In the mid-19th century, Maximilian of Habsburg started the paths and planned introduction of plants. The National Academy of Science and Art continued this tradition with the establishment of a Botanical Garden in 1959. The purpose of the garden was to investigate the introduction and adaptation of tropical and sub-tropical plants to our climate, especially those important for forestry, horticulture and pharmaceutical purposes.
