Lopud 1483
A Fortress Breathing History and Art
The restoration team included architectural consultation from Frank Gehry, German engineering specialists...
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Founded in 1483—hence its name—this carefully restored 15th-century monastery in Croatia is now a private retreat where historic charm and modern design come together, just minutes from Dubrovnik. Its generous interiors, sunlit gardens, and notable art collection create an elegant setting for peaceful escapes and memorable occasions.
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Guardian of Lopud 1483
Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza’s life has unfolded at the intersection of art, heritage, and legacy. The daughter of Swiss industrialist Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza and British model Fiona Campbell-Walter, she was raised among masterpieces—both in her family’s legendary art collection, housed in Madrid’s Villahermosa Palace and their private residences from Lopud to Jamaica, and in the grand European traditions that shaped her.
Formerly married to Karl von Habsburg, scion of the historic Habsburg dynasty, Francesca has spent a lifetime stewarding cultural treasures. Today, she brings that same discernment and deep cultural insight to her role as custodian of this lovingly restored 15th-century monastery—as she shares in our recent interview.
Lopud: Croatian Car-Free Island
During its Renaissance heyday, Lopud—a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea—was a thriving hub of shipbuilding and trade, home to wealthy merchants like Miho Pracat, one of the most influential figures of his time. At its peak, the island boasted around eighty large merchant and naval ships—many built locally for clients across Europe, possibly even for the Spanish Armada. Centuries of maritime activity brought immeasurable wealth, knowledge, and cultural exchange, leaving a lasting legacy of art, languages, and science.
Exploration and Cultural Immersion
Lopud’s rich history unfolds through guided tours with local historians, who reveal the island’s ancient churches and its wider historical significance. Just to the east lies Šipan, where dolphins occasionally visit the harbour. Conveniently, Lopud is only a 20-minute speedboat ride from Dubrovnik, a city steeped in history with grand Gothic and Renaissance palaces, churches, and monasteries. From Dubrovnik, day trips include visits to Lokrum Island’s impressive fortress and botanical gardens.
For wine enthusiasts, the sun-drenched vineyards of the Pelješac Peninsula offer a scenic journey, with stops at artisan oyster farms along the way.
Back on Lopud, the monastery itself houses an impressive art collection, which visitors can explore with the specialist Ružica. In the evening, guests may enjoy the unique experience of an open-air cinema set within the atmospheric fortress ruins.
Lopud 1483
Perched on the northernmost tip of Lopud Island, the 15th-century monastery overlooks the small harbour and islands beyond. The 13 original monks’ cells have been elegantly transformed into five private suites that accommodate up to 10 guests. Each suite features its own bathroom and views over the ocean or the monastery’s medicinal gardens, which flourish with Mediterranean greenery, herbs, and native flora.
The interiors showcase a unique combination of Renaissance furniture from the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection, bespoke pieces by Italian designer Paola Lenti, and contemporary art from the TBA21 collection. Notable features include a walnut table crafted in Florence around 1550 and chairs made in Dresden in 1727, all arranged on a 16th-century Medallion Ushak carpet.
Venue Spaces
The Angels Hall
This entrance to the monastery creates a spectacular first impression as guests are welcomed by two 18th-century Baroque angels. The untouched walls feature original inscriptions and traces of engravings from times past, making it ideal for welcome drinks and convivial receptions.
The Refectory Room & Terrace
Decorated with museum-quality pieces from the 15th and 16th centuries, this space provides an intimate dining experience by candlelight.
Overlooking the tranquil Lopud Harbour, the Refectory Terrace is perfect for intimate dinners or lively cocktail receptions—hosting up to 40 seated guests or 150 standing. A professional bar sets the scene for stylish pre-dinner drinks, while the terrace’s proximity to the historic fortress creates a seamless flow between elegant dining and captivating entertainment.
The Fortress
Just steps away, the 16th-century fortress—originally built to protect villagers from invasions—now offers a striking contrast of heritage and high-tech. Its thick stone walls create superb acoustics, while state-of-the-art AV equipment and backstage facilities make it an exceptional venue for concerts, performances, and private events.
Perched atop the fortress, the Sunset Terrace accommodates cocktail receptions and gatherings for up to 25 people. With panoramic views of Lopud and the Elaphiti Islands and a dedicated bar, it ensures a memorable setting for any occasion. The terrace also serves as an excellent location for stargazing.
Culinary Experience
The cuisine at Lopud 1483 lies at the heart of its ethos. The chef creates bespoke menus guided by a farm-to-table philosophy, tailoring each dish to guests’ preferences using locally grown and sourced ingredients. Traditional Croatian recipes are reimagined with a contemporary touch, incorporating organic vegetables from the property’s own garden.
Fresh juices and teas are prepared daily using herbs from the sacred garden. Meals are paired with local Croatian wines selected by the in-house sommelier, showcasing different grape varieties and winemaking traditions. After dessert, guests can enjoy freshly prepared coffee and traditional Croatian liqueurs made from fruit harvested from the estate’s gardens.
PREPARING SEA URCHIN BY THE SEA
CULINARY EXPERIENCE
CULINARY EXPERIENCE
Seaside Splendour
The property boasts private access to the Adriatic’s crystal-blue waters, where guests can begin their day with an invigorating open-water swim. Water enthusiasts will delight in the array of activities available, from stand-up paddleboarding to sea kayaking and snorkelling—all equipment provided.
For those seeking to explore further, the resort arranges speedboat and yacht charters to discover Lopud’s unspoilt bays and secluded coves. These excursions often include anchoring in deserted inlets for intimate picnic lunches surrounded by the Mediterranean’s stunning natural beauty.
Wellness and Rejuvenation
The resort’s commitment to wellbeing manifests in its comprehensive wellness facilities housed within the ancient fortress. A hammam, treatment room, and workout space equipped with Technogym apparatus provide the perfect environment for physical rejuvenation.
The Sacred Garden, restored by Arctic shaman Åsa Andersson, offers a tranquil space for meditation among medicinal herbs used in the resort’s wellness products. Professional massage therapists, personal trainers, and yoga instructors are available to guide guests through personalised wellness journeys.
Spa treatments range from classic Swedish and deep tissue massages to more specialised therapies like reflexology and myofascial release. For those interested in holistic approaches, the resort offers Access Bars® treatments, yoga classes, and sound baths conducted by certified practitioners.
Staying True to Nature
The garden’s origins trace back to the rich tradition of monastic cultivation of medicinal plants. Since ancient times, the practice of growing healing herbs has been fundamental to the development of botany, pharmacology, and medicine across civilisations.
The Franciscan monastery on Lopud continues this venerable tradition, with its garden now flourishing with carefully selected plant species based on historical records from the Franciscan monastery in Dubrovnik.
The Sacred Garden, situated between the monastery and fortress, has been delicately restored through the collaborative efforts of architects and horticulturalists. It offers a contemplative pathway with nine meditation stations, merging elements of art, architecture, spirituality, and healing.
Visitors are invited to experience—rather than merely observe—the garden’s restorative power. Walking barefoot through the garden, as Saint Francis of Assisi might have done, allows for a more grounded connection with the earth and enhances the tactile experience by engaging all the senses.
Today’s garden showcases three primary groups of medicinal plants:
- Essential oil-producing plants like rosemary, lavender, sage, melissa, peppermint, and marjoram
- Plants yielding drugs with saccharides and glycosides, including iris, aloe, and rose
- Plants containing alkaloids, such as mandrake
Natural Healing Elements
Lopud Island itself possesses unique healing properties that complement the garden experience. The surrounding sea provides naturally negative ions that, when inhaled, produce biochemical reactions believed to enhance mood and energy levels.
Aromatherapy from traditional Dalmatian medicinal plants—lavender, rosemary, sage, melissa, and thyme—fills the air with healing properties. The monastery and fortress, built from stone rich in calcium carbonicum, diffuse beneficial mineral molecules into the air.
In the stillness of this sacred space, visitors can sense the good energy from centuries of prayers and communion with nature. The garden embodies the Franciscan tradition of connection with the natural world—a tradition that recognises the intrinsic value of all living things.
“You come to Lopud to be, not to do—to stop projecting and let yourself be inspired.”
— Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza, Creative Director of Lopud 1483.
Lopud 1483 transcends the ordinary—a rare alchemy of history, art, and seclusion that lingers long after departure. This is not merely a retreat, but a return—to beauty, to stillness, to what matters. The island is ready. Are you?
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