Island of Lokrum
by Natasa Lujic
According to legend, Richard the Lion-heart shipwrecked in 1192 after returning home from the crusades and found himself cast ashore, safe on Lokrum, 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 Lokrum but in The City instead. The name Lokrum comes from the Latin word acrumen, meaning sour fruit and it's a name that comes from the tradition of bringing and cultivating exotic plants from all corners of the world on the island and this tradition started in the time of the Benedictines. This tradition was nurtured through the whole existence of the Dubrovnik republic and later on with the rule of the Maximilan Ferdinand of Hapsburg as he had a mansion built on the island in 1859 with a magnificent garden laid out, criss crossed with pathways, full of amazing plants and botanical wonders. Lokrum's special attraction, a small lake, called Mrtvo More (Dead Sea), a unique lake linked with the sea, crystal clear and calm suitable for bathing and it is a favourite resort to many visitors. - fortress called Forte Royale, star shaped built by the French in 1806 at the highest elevated point of Lokrum, 91 m, giving a marvelous, exquisite view of the whole island and the city of Dubrovnik. Lokrum is the favourite excursion destination of the population of Dubrovnik, as well as of many tourists. From The City harbour regular tourist boats run to Lokrum, in spring and autumn every hour and during the summer every half an hour so it's very convenient to visit this fantastic island. It takes only 10 minutes to get to Lokrum. The Austrian archduke (and short-lived Emperor of Mexico) Maximilian once had a holiday home on the island. A monastery and a botanical garden survive from his era. On this peak stands Port Royal Castle, which was built by the French, though it was later named "Maximilian's Tower" by the Austrians.On the eastern side of the island, protected from the open sea, there is a small natural harbour. The island covers an area of 0.8 kmē and is covered in thick Mediterranean flora and woods: laurel, oak, pines, cypress and black pines. There are also olives, agaves, cacti, magnolia and palms.Nearby there is a deserted Benedictine monastery, founded in 1023.The triple-naved basilica, and a 14th century part of the monastery were badly damaged in the 1667 earthquake.] The monastery was deserted in 1798. Today Lokrum is a Nature Reserve and a Special Forest Vegetation Reserve.
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