Lokrum

The island Lokrum lies just 600 meters from Dubrovnik.  On the eastern side of the island, protected from the open sea, there is a small natural harbour.  Austrian archduke (and short-lived Emperor of Mexico) Maximilian once had a holiday home on the island.  A monastery and a botanical garden survive from his era.  Fort Royal Castle, built by the French, stands on the island's highest point.  The small island is covered in thick Mediterranean flora and woods: laurel, oak, pines, cypress and black pines. There are also olives, agaves, cacti, magnolia and palms.  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, derived from the tradition of cultivating exotic plants on the island, a tradition started in the time of the Benedictines and continued today. Peacocks brought over by Maximilian from the Canary Islands inhabit the island, as well as day-trippers coming over for a picnic and swim.

You can also get a great look back at Dubrovnik.