Franciscan Monastery, Lopud, Lopud Island
View of Lopud's Franciscan Monastery. Photo by Russell John.
View of the monastery and blue sea from above. Photo by Kurt Schmidt.
The monastery from the sea at sunset. Photo by Michael Hirst.
Closer look at the monastic church. Photo by Michael Hirst.
The main architectural attraction of the village of Lopud on Lopud Island is the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery, which contains some fine Renaissance artworks.
What to See
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:
- a polyptych by Pietro di Giovanni (1520);
- a triptych by Nikola Bozidarevic;
- a painting by Leandro da Bassano; and
- a triptych by Gerolamo di Santacroce.
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
| Names: | Franciscan Monastery; Franjevacki Samostan; St. Mary of Spilica Church; Gospa od Spilica |
| Type of site: | Christian monastery |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic (Franciscan order) |
| Dates: | 1483 |
| Location: | Lopud village, Lopud, Croatia |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Franciscan Monastery in Lopud. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Croatia Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Frommer's Croatia, 1st ed. (Frommer's, 2006).
- Eyewitness Travel Guide to Croatia (London: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2005).
