Lokrum - the Island with the Secret

Amidst the rich lore connected to this island, three legends stand out: about Richard the Lionheart, about the tragedy of the Austrain warship Triton, and about the curse of the Benedictin monks.

The Elaphites

The Elaphites, or "Deer Islands", are the eternal guardians of the Adriatic sea and its coast in the area around Dubrovnik. This archipelago of incredible beauty has yielded captains and seamen of undaunted courage.

The archipelago consists of a string of islands that lie to the west of Dubrovnik. The biggest one is Šipan, smaller ones being Lopud, Koločep (Kalamota), Jakljan and Olip.
Their magical scenary, beautiful sandy beaches, and the crystal clear sea attract a multitude of tourists.

The Island of Koločep

Koločep is one of the favorite excursion spots for the locals.
Locally called Kalamota, Koločep is the elaphite island nearest to Dubrovnik. Only 5 kilometers from Gruž, the main port of Dubrovnik, Koločep is reachable by a mere 20 minute boat ride by one of the regular lines that run about 10 times a day. Although Koločep belongs to the municipality of the city of Dubrovnik, the island remains free from the city noise, traffic, and distress that goes along with it... Eastern and western sides of Kolocep are inhabited, its two settlements - Donje Čelo and Gornje Čelo - connected by serpentine road stretching about 3 kilometers through olive groves and gardens.

Unlike most of the other islands on the Adriatic sea, Kolocep is rich with arrable land and water. It is covered by age old pine forests, olive groves, southern fruit gardens, and beautiful sandy beaches. As one of the most diverse Croatian islands, Koločep's coastline is characterized by a number of hidden coves, the most famous spot being the Blue Cave, which you can enter only by swimming into it.

There are preromanesque churches, ruins of basilicas, renaissance summer houses, forts, etc. on the island. The church of St. Anthony is worth visiting at least for the 15th century polyptych by Ivan Ugrinovic, one of the best representative examples of Dubrovnik school of arts. 
Koločep was one of the maritime centers during the Republic of Dubrovnik with a shipyard. Noteworthy, two of its well-known seamen were on board Columbus' "Santa Maria." In the times past it was renown for its fishermen and its coral-hunters. Today, the sea about the island is rich with lobsters and other large marine crustaceans.

The archeological sites found on Koločep witness to the presence of various trading and conquering nations from the times of ancient Greece, Rome and onwards up until Napoleon.

The Island of Lopud

Lopud, connected by regular and excursion lines (cca. 45 minute ride; two times a day Lopud-Dubrovnik, and three times a day Dubrovnik-Lopud lines), is an oasis of bountiful Mediterranean and subtropical vegetation, beautiful gardens, parks, and beaches.

Its only settlement by the same name is situated in a sandy bay well protected from the elements. After the day on the beach, this is the place to enjoy refreshments or the fresh fish and sea food delicasses made in the local family restaurants.

There is a dirt path that leads to the other side of the island and one of the most beautiful beaches of the Adriatic sea, the sandy bay of Šunj. Situated in the southeast side of the island, it is an ideal spot for children to play in the sand and the shallow water.
Lopud is the most developed of the Elaphite islands, yet it remains the oasis of a unique pristine beauty and tranquillity, the island without traffic and noise, an ideal spot for rejuvenating one's body and soul...

During the times of the Ragusan Republic, Lopud gave the most captains and seamen.

On the island there are numerous ruins of early Medieval churches, summer manors, and forts. The church of St. Mary of Špiljica displays the polyptych by Pietro da Giovanni, tryptych by Nikola Bozidarevic, polyptych by Girolamo da Santacroce, paintings by Bassan, several by the Flemish master artists, etc. The church, together with the cloister, defense tower and the walls, belongs to the franciscan monastery dating from 1483. The 15th century church of Lady of Šunj is an invaluable monument, and well-worth visiting for its exhibit of many works of art, including the paintings by Palma the Elder, Natalino da Muran, Matej Junčić and others.

The Island of Jakljan

Covered with thick Mediterranean vegetation, this beautiful island is the smallest one in the archipelago (3.45 sq km). It remains uninhabited except during the summer with the children's camp and a restaurant open. There are fresh water wells on Jakljan.

The Island od Šipan

First mentioned by the name of Šipan in the 1st century, this island of the Elaphite archipelago is the largest and also the richest one in monuments. Because of its shape, during the classical times it was also called Tauris (the bull).

There are two settlements on the island of Šipan. On the west side, about 12 miles from Dubrovnik is Šipanska Luka (about 250 inhabitants), and, on the east side, some 7 miles from Dubrovnik, Suđurađ (about 150 inhabitants). The persons living on the island belong mostly to the elder population. 

The port of Suđurađ is well connected with Dubrovnik with regular daily catamaran, ferry, boat and excursion-boat lines, each one taking up to an hour. There is a bus line connecting Šipanska Luka and Suđurađ.

There are 44 summer manors and 32 churches dating from 7th to 16th century on the island. In the parish church of St. Stephen (Sv. Stjepan) one can enjoy viewing the painting of the Virgin Mary and Child, the work of Panteleon, a Venetian painter from the 15th century. During the same century, the island was renown as a perfect vacation spot for the local Ragusan (the Republic of Ragusa)aristocracy. The summer manor of the Sorkočević family in Šipanska Luka and the Rector's palace, the center of the island's authority during the Ragusan Republic, in the late Gothic style (1450), stand out as fine examples.

Suđurađ is dominated by the two large fortification towers built within the complex of two Renaissance summer manors (16th century) owned by the Skočibuha family to fend off the pirates. There are remnants of the many summer manors on the slopes of the Field of Šipan, while the midst of it is covered by Medieval,Renaissance, and Baroque churches and chapels, the church of the Holy Spirit (Sv. Duh) being of particular interest.