Franciscan Monastery, Croatia

The main architectural attraction of the village of Lopud on Lopud Island is the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery, which contains some fine Renaissance artworks.

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What to See at Franciscan Monastery

Lopud is the main village on the island, which is just 1.7 sq miles in size, supports a population of 2,000, and is accessed by frequent motorboat service from Dubrovnik. It is the most popular of the three Elaphite Islands and most of the residents work in farming or the tourist industry.

The village of Lopud lies in a fertile valley sheltered from the wind by two ranges of hills. Its Franciscan monastery, dating from 1483, is the main attraction. The monastic church, St. Mary of Spilica (Gospa od Spilica), boasts a carved choir from the 15th century and a number of notable paintings, including:

Other attractions in Lopud include a small ethnographic museum, the ruins of a small fortress, other ancient churches in various stages of decay, and a wonderful sandy beach with a restaurant and bar.

Quick Facts on Franciscan Monastery

Site Information
Names:Franciscan Monastery
Faiths:Franciscan order
Dates:15th C
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:42.692088° N, 17.941532° E
Address:Croatia
Lodging:View hotels near Franciscan Monastery
Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

  1. Frommer's Croatia, 1st ed. (Frommer's, 2006).
  2. Eyewitness Travel Guide to Croatia (London: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2005).

More Information

View of Lopud's Franciscan Monastery. © Russell John
View of the monastery and blue sea from above. © Kurt Schmidt
The monastery from the sea at sunset. © Michael Hirst
Closer look at the monastic church. © Michael Hirst

Map of Franciscan Monastery, Croatia

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