Tuesday, January 27, 2015

An Island Adventure: Visiting Lokrum in Croatia

My journey to the island Lokrum lays a few years back now, but every once in a while I like to revisit the images and go back. These were taken with my old canon camera, and maybe it's time to freshen up on this wonderful place with my 6D.

The island is located in the Adriatic Sea, about half a mile from the city of Dubrovnik. It stretches from northwest to southeast and receives regular ferry service from the city. The name Lokrum comes from the Latin, 'acrumen', meaning sour fruit. The first mention of Lokrum in writing came in 1023, in connection with the founding of the Benedictine abbey and monastery. It's a great place to explore and it's a must-stop for any traveler visiting Dubrovnik.

click on the images for a bigger view

The Legend of Lokrum

According to legend, Richard the Lionheart 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. That church in Dubrovnik is still there today.


Transportation to Lokrum

For a small fee, you can take a ferry boat from the harbor in the old town of Dubrovnik. The journey to the island lasts only 10 minutes, and you arrive on a small dock. Huge pine trees immediately greet you and are a promise of the varied nature on this island.



A Jewel at the Heart of the Island

Lokrum's special attraction is a small lake, called Mrtvo More (Dead Sea), a unique lake linked with the sea, crystal clear and calm and suitable for bathing. It is a favorite resort to many visitors. But you don't have to take a swim there. You can stay on shore (as did I) and simply take in the beauty.



What to Do on Lokrum

Besides the already mentioned Dead Sea the island also houses a Botanical Garden, which offers up an relaxing walk down the olive trees. Also, a fortress called Forte Royale, star shaped and built by the French in 1806 at the highest elevated point of Lokrum, gives a marvelous view of the whole island and the city of Dubrovnik. Nearby there is a deserted Benedictine monastery, founded in 1023. A restaurant is located in the former monastery, and walking routes around the island are marked out, and are easy to follow.


Sights into the Unknown

At the southern shores of Lokrum, rugged beaches will greet you. To me, the most impressive sights were the look outs into the unknown. Somewhere in the distance the Adriatic Sea meats the sky and shades of blue are cut by the grey rocks that form the beach.




Return to Dubrovnik

After a whole afternoon on the island, the ferry will take you back to Dubrovnik, where you can explore the old city and it's outer walls. I visited Dubrovnik lots of times, but I only ventured out to Lokrum once. Even though it was a short trip, Lokrum definitely stays with you, after you leave.




41 comments:

  1. Hello Mersad, Your trip to Lokrum looks wonderful.. The views of the water and the island are lovely..A beautiful island to explore.. Thanks for sharing your visit.. Have a happy day!

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  2. Lokrum.....hab ich tatsächlich noch nie gehört ich ungebildeter Mensch ;-D. Es schaut toll da aus und ich bin dir ganz doll dankbar, dass ich an einem so düsteren Tag wie heute tolle Sommerfotos bei dir gucken kann. Ich fühl mich jetzt schon fast wie im Urlaub! GlG Anne

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    1. Das freut mich dann aber. Liebe Grüße Anne.

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  3. What a beautiful place to visit. And, nice to see a picture of you!

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  4. Lockrum looks fabulous Mersad, lovely spot to visit.

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  5. I could SO go for a trip there considering there's 1.5 feet of snow outside!

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    1. That sounds very harsh! Stay safe in the snow.

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  6. Wow I would love to be able to go there! Your captures are amazing!

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    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed them Sarah. Thank you!

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  7. This has made me feel warmer.

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    Replies
    1. I know you can need it right now. Stay warm!

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  8. Gorgeous shots!

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  9. everything is so lush and green and bright and sunny... all things i love and so many beautiful trees and water views. I would love to sit a while in one of the chairs under the pineapple palm in the first photo.

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  10. What a beautiful place, well worth a visit. I was very impressed by the crystal clear water in the lake.

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  11. What a pretty island! Enjoyed your photos.

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  12. Lokrum! I didn't hear of it when I was over there. Perhaps it's as well since I wouldn't have had time to visit. It looks wonderful.

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    1. As I said it's only 10 minutes by ferry from the old city of Dubrovnik. I'm sure you would have made it. I discovered the place when I saw an add for the ferry ride in the old town center.

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  13. Superb captures of another beautiful place, Mersad!! Ah, and I, too, love all of those blues!! Your pics are the next best thing to being there myself!!! Thanks for sharing!! Hope your week is going well!!

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  14. What a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing. Love seeing all the places you visit.

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  15. What gorgeous photos.. Sounds like a wonderful place to visit.

    Hugs~

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  16. Your photos are stunning and you not only captured pretty pictures, but your words told a beautiful story. This place looks amazing. It looks like the type of sanctuary that I seek right now. Being in that environment would make me feel so serene and spiritually connected to everything.

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  17. Thank you for all this beautiful sunshine!

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  18. What a wonderful post. You know how to make me long to visit and photograph the places where you have traveled!

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  19. Hi Mersad,
    Lokrum - what a lovely place.
    I particularly liked the photo of the hallway - very beautiful and greatly photographed!

    Have a Beautiful Day!
    Peace :)

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  20. Well if that doesn't make a person want to visit Lokrum and Dubrovnik then nothing will. Real nice post Mersad!

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  21. Was für eine tolle Insel, vor allem so schnell zu erreichen. Also der Trip würde mir auch sehr gefallen, alles erkunden und dann noch einfach entspannen und die Seele baumeln lassen. Echt klasse und danke dass du sie uns vorgestellt hast.

    Liebe Grüsse

    N☼va

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  22. Beautiful!
    Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/01/pretty-in-purples.html

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  23. So üppig grün...so blau das Wasser...als wenn nur Sommer wäre. Sehr schöne Bilder, wie immer.
    Liebe Grüße

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  24. What an adventure and you came home with photographs, memories of the trip and thanks for sharing some of it with us.
    JM, Illinois-U.S.A.

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  25. I always wonder how different many parts of the world would like if there hadn't been so many trying to take over other lands and impart their traditions... Beautiful water..beautiful skies. And always nice to see the very talented photographer himself...Michelle

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  26. So very beautiful, I would love to visit here one day

    Mollyxxx

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  27. Gorgeous! The lake is amazing. Lokrum -- a place I had no idea existed! "Traveling" while sitting at home is nice! Thank you for your gorgeous images.

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  28. I adore Dubrovnik, but never heard of Lokrum! Sounds like the perfect reason I need to return :) Thanks for joining in at Song-ography.

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  29. These are so lush and beautiful. Looks worth a visit for sure!

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  30. Looks a beautiful place to both explore and relax.
    Joy - ABC Team

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  31. Croatia is not a place I've ever been!


    ROG, ABCW

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  32. Really beautiful images thanks for sharing such images

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