Just breath away from Dubrovnik, like a guardian angel stands a green and forested Lokrum island. Also known as the island of kings, Lokrum was first mentioned in 1023 where Benedictine abbey and monastery were founded. According to legend, Richard the Lion-heart shipwrecked in 1192 after returning from the crusades and found himself cast ashore on Lokrum. He pledged to build a church on the island, but at the plea of Dubrovnik citizens, the church was built in The City. There are no houses, hotels, stores or souvenir shops on Lokrum island. People come here to swim, relax and to enjoy the idyllic coves tucked among the rocks. The only sight on Lokrum is the Benedictine monastery, now in ruins, and its Botanical Garden with special and endemic tropic and subtropical plants originating from Australia to South America. Beside the Monastery and Botanical Garden, there a few locations you should not miiss. Lokrum’s special attraction is a small lake called Mrtvo More (Dead Sea), a unique lake linked with the sea, crystal clear and calm water suitable for bathing, a favorite resort to many visitors. Fortress called Fort Royale, built by the French in 1806 at the highest elevated point of Lokrum, is giving a marvelous, exquisite view of the whole island and the city of Dubrovnik.
