Dalmatia Lacroma Olive Branch

Map 05 - Dubrovnik and surroundings

Lokrum/Lacroma: Old olive tree beside the path towards the building of the former monastery, seen in the background.
View towards SE.
The Benedictine abbey was founded on the island of Lokrum in 1023. Richard the Lionheart landed on the island during storm in 1190 (or 1192), then vowed to build a church on the island as thanksgiving. However, the Dubrovnik nobility convinced him to invest that money into building of their Cathedral, and they in turn built a church on Lokrum. The Benedictine Order was abolished in 1798, and the island was sold to some citizens of Dubrovnik in 1803. In 1859, archduke Maximilan v. Habsburg bought the island, and transformed the monastery buildings into a luxurious villa. New and exotic plants were introduced on the island at that time. However, Maximilan was shot in Mexico in 1867 (albeit as an Emperor), and the island was again 1871-1880 owned by common citizens. In 1880 Archduke Rudolf v. Habsburg (heir to the throne) bought again the island, but he committed suicide together with his mistress Baroness Vecera in Mayerling. From 1889 (until at least till 1910), Lokrum was owned by Dominican Order. Then again princess Windischgratz regain it and renovate the buildings. After the WWI Lokrum was sold to the then Yugoslav Government. There are rumours of a kind of'Curse of Lokrum'!