Kenneth E. Harker
2010 Croatia - Lokrum Island

Lokrum Island is an island close to the old walled city of Dubrovnik, and is a popular day trip. The island once belonged entirely to the Benedictine order, and a large monastery was built on the island in 1023. The mostly 14th century monastery buildings were badly damaged in the earthquake of 1667, and the Benedictines left the island entirely in 1798. Today Lokrum is a Nature Reserve and a Special Forest Vegetation Reserve. It is a popular swimming destination.

These photos are copyright © 2010 Kenneth E. Harker. All rights reserved.

	The ferry to the island takes about 10 minutes and leaves every half hour from the old harbor.
	Even in the old harbor, the Adriatic Sea was very clear and a bright blue color.
	And we're off.
	Another cruise boat passes between our ferry and St. John's Fortress guarding the old harbor.
	Dubrovnik, as it might have appeared to a ship arriving 500 years ago.
	Lokrum Island.
	Some of the newer parts of Dubrovnik, south of the old city. I imagine that some day a developer will put homes along the top of the ridge.
	Jen, on the ferry boat.
	Boats in the small natural harbor on Lokrum Island.
	The pier where the ferry lands on Lokrum Island. The building belongs to the park service.
	A map of the island at the harbor on Lokrum Island.
	A flock of peacock and peahens lives on the island.
	Ruins of the Benedictine Monastery. These buildings were constructed in the 14th century.
	Another building in the monastery ruins.
	Some of the buildings in the monastery compound were intact, and had been used by the Benedictines as recently as the 1790s. One even had a restaurant in it.
	More of the Benedictine compound.
	Some bocce courts under the trees.
	Most of the designated swimming areas were among the rocks on the west side of the island, the far side from the mainland. The Adriatic Sea was very blue.
	Cliffs on the west side of Lokrum Island.
	A long way down.
	The Adriatic Sea.
	One of the swimming areas. To get in and out of the water, steel staircases are bolted periodically into the rocks. The water was brisk and very, very clear.
	A peahen and chick scratching among the pine needles.
	The birds were clearly comfortable around tourists.
	The harbor at Lokrum Island.
	On our way back to Dubrovnik, we passed by two sea kayakers. The island is about 600 meters (0.4 miles) from the mainland.
	The long building on the mainland shore is the Lazaret, a quarantine station for the city of Dubrovnik, used for incoming travelers and in times of plague. Many quarantine stations in Europe were destroyed after the need for them had passed, so Dubrovnik's is one of the few remaining.
	The old walled city.
	This cruise ship was designed to look like a 16th century explorer's ship.
	It was hard to tell how authentic the ship was.
	Back in the old harbor of Dubrovnik.