Lokrum

by Natasa Lujic
(Dubrovnik)

Lokrum is an island in the Adriatic Sea,a short boat ride from Dubrovnik, Croatia. The first written mention of Lokrum was in 1023 when the Benedictine abbey and monastery were founded.

The name Lokrum comes from the Latin, 'acrumen', meaning sour fruit.The last Benedictines left the island in 1798. Local legends say that the night before they departed they put a curse on the island.According to legend, Richard the Lionheart was shipwrecked in 1192 after returning home from the crusades and was cast safely ashore on Lokrum.

He pledged to build a church on the island but, at the plea of Dubrovnik citizens, the church was built on the nearby mainland instead.In 1959 a Botanical Garden was founded on Lokrum which contains native and imported, tropical and subtropical plants, and other vegetation originating from Australia to South America.

The island is also inhabited by families of peacocks.The island is now a popular destination with visitors to Dubrovnik. A restaurant is located in the former monastery, and walking routes round the island are marked out. There is also a nudist beach at the south-eastern end of the island.

Contact Natasa Lujic through the site for more info.