Lopud

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lopud
Franciscan monastery
Geography

Location	Adriatic sea
Coordinates	Coordinates: 42°41′N, 17°57′E
Archipelago	Elaphiti Islands
Area	4.5 km²
Administration
Croatia
County	Dubrovnik-Neretva
Demographics
Population	220

Lopud The beautiful island of Lopud is situated northwest of the city Dubrovnik and is a part of the Elafiti islands. The Elafiti islands seen from Dubrovnik to the north are Daksa, Kolocep, Sv. Andrija, Lopud, Ruda, Šipan, Jakljan, Tajan and Olipa. Most of these islands are very small and uninhabited.

The islands Kolocep, Lopud and Šipan are the only inhabited islands. Lopud lies between the other two islands and is, in our opinion, the most beautiful. Lopud has an area of 4,63 km², the highest point is Polacica at 216 meters. At this moment Lopud has about 220 inhabitants. The village of Lopud lies on northwest side of the bay and has a view of Šipan. Two hills are connected by a beautiful valley where a footpath goes through to the bay called Šunj at the other side of the island. The Šunj-bay is famous for its swimming pleasure. The bay is almost round with a narrow entrance, totally filled with white sand and gets deeper only very slowly. The ideal spot for little children. At this side of the island there are enough possibilities to get something to eat or have a cool drink and there are also sunbeds and beach umbrellas for hire. The northeast side of the island is not easy accessible by the rocks and steep cliffs. The island has a coastline of 11,5 km, of which 1,2 km are sandy beaches. Also, the village by the harbour has a sandy beach. While the island annually has over 2584 hours of sun with its own freshwater wells it is covered by many verdure, trees, bushes and plants and many of palm trees. The park is very well known as a former garden of a villa from the 19th century, where plants collected from over the world such as bamboo and various types of cacti grow. The island has already been inhabited for thousands of years and you can find a lot of old Greek, Roman and old Slavic buildings and ruins.

The northeast side of the island is not easy accessible by the rocks and steep cliffs. The island has a coastline of 11,5 km, of which 1,2 km are sandy beaches. Also, the village by the harbour has a sandy beach. While the island annually has over 2584 hours of sun with its own freshwater wells it is covered by many verdure, trees, bushes and plants and many of palm trees. The park is very well known as a former garden of a villa from the 19th century, where plants collected from over the world such as bamboo and various types of cacti grow. The island has already been inhabited for thousands of years and you can find a lot of old Greek, Roman and old Slavic buildings and ruins.

With the exception of some bikes, there is no traffic on the island. The village is composed of a long boulevard around the bay. The side-streets soon become stairways. The island is very green because of its freshwater wells and is suitable for nice short strolls. Also, there is a beautifully designed park, formerly it was the garden of a villa from the 19th century. But also outside the park there are green spots with bougainvilleas, palms and cypresses. Everywhere you here the sound of grills. Otherwise, no other sounds can be heard. With no cars, now and then the puffing of a ships-engine.

Viktor Dyk, Czech poet and politician, died of a heart failure while swimming in the sea near the island of Lopud.