LOPUD 1483

Perched on the northern-most tip peninsula of Lopud Island, LOPUD 1483 enjoys an exclusive and private position overlooking the small harbour and islands beyond. Sensitively restored from its 15th century incarnations, today LOPUD 1483 is a private, tranquil retreat that seamlessly merges history and heritage with privacy and sophistication. Thoughtfully restored using bespoke joinery and historic plastering techniques, the interiors effortlessly fuse handmade furniture by Italian designer Paola Lenti with historic renaissance pieces from the Thyssen-Bornemiza collection. Contrasting with the ancient architecture, the walls are adorned with carefully curated contemporary art pieces from the TBA21 Collection.

With no cars permitted on the island, LOPUD’s natural environment has remained unspoilt and the island’s quiet villages and historic ruins make for an interesting day of exploration. For further adventures, guests do not need to venture far. The property is just seven miles from the city of Dubrovnik in Croatia’s Elaphiti archipelago, making it easily accessible by air or by sea, providing welcome respite from the rigours of day-to-day life.

LOPUD's elegance and simplicity is evident in every aspect of your stay. The 13 original cells have been tastefully converted into five exquisite suites, each equipped with its bathroom and windows towards the sea or the medicinal garden. Each room features a unique combination of renaissance furniture from the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection, bespoke new furniture by Italian designer Paola Lenti, and contemporary art pieces from the TBA21 collection. The wooden ceilings, windows and floors complemented by historical plaster create a timeless combination of the historical and the contemporary.

In the charming and captivating Old Kitchen, it is possible to build an open fire and use a large, fully functional bread oven. Thanks to the ancient technique of medieval bread baking, the range is perfect for making authentic, fresh pizzas today. However, guests need not worry about food as every attention to detail is considered during their stay, including the menus created by head chef Marin, using fresh, local produce and home-grown ingredients. During the months of June through to September, guests will have a continental or bespoke breakfasts and the option of either lunch or dinner each day with the menus tailored for individual needs and dietary requirements (half board) . Using the best local and seasonal ingredients, many from our own gardens,your private chef will tailor his menus around your tastes, with attentive hosts on hand to anticipate your every need. Full Board of both lunch and dinner are provided for the months of October through to May. LOPUD 1483 also includes an offering of selected local wines, beers, soft drinks and limited house spirits.

Al-fresco dining is central to the LOPUD experience, from breakfasts on the sun deck and casual barbeques in the idyllic upper gardens, to drinks on the sunset terrace atop the ancient fortress, overlooking the surrounding Elaphiti islands. Guests choosing to dine inside can enjoy the hallowed surroundings and impressive art collection in the Refectory (suitable only for adults), or in the convivial surroundings of the Old Kitchen. Furthermore, in the heart of the monastery is the original cloister, offering a dream setting for private dinners, receptions and cocktail parties.

With abundant space for relaxation, al fresco dining or quiet contemplation, LOPUD 1483’s extensive gardens are awash with mediterranean greenery, herbs and native fauna. At their heart, with sweeping view over the sea, lies a fortress that once protected the security of the island’s inhabitants, providing shelter and a means of defence against the attacks of Ottoman pirates. From the top of the fortress, experience majestic views over the neighbouring island of Šipan and the national park on Mljet.

Take a quiet moment to explore the carefully curated Sacred Garden, created by Arctic shaman, Åsa Andersson. The nine distinct stations are designed for meditation and contemplation, each rooted in ancient Norse and Sami healing traditions.

In another tranquil corner of the grounds lies the traditional Franciscan Pharmacy, inspired by the monks who once lived and meditated on the estate. The property owner and manager have devoted significant attention to a contemporary rendering of the Franciscan healing tradition and delicately restored the monastery’s medicinal garden through a collaboration between architects and horticulturalists. Today this area of the garden is filled with citrus fruits and aromatic, medicinal herbs used in the Franciscan pharmaceutical tradition.

A private staircase descends the monastery’s sea wall, leading to the waters of the Adriatic. Start the day with a refreshing open water swim, or explore the coastline by stand-up paddle board. Discover Lopud’s unspoilt bays on a speedboat or yacht charter, anchoring in a deserted cove for a picnic lunch. As night falls, retire to the atmospheric ruins of the fortress for an open-air cinema experience.

With its enviable location just off the Croatian coast, this property manager can arrange a host of activities in the surrounding area to suit every taste and interest. Charter a boat for the day to explore the clear waters and hidden coves of the archipelago, visiting Lokrum Island to explore the fortress and botanical gardens. Spend a day enjoying the sun-drenched vineyards of the Peljesac Peninsula, visiting the region’s artisan oyster farms en route.

For group retreats, corporate seminars, concerts, intimate ceremonies and celebrations, LOPUD 1483 will heighten their significance and add a sense of depth and peace. And, with such a variety of spaces to choose from, the property and team can host occasions ranging from the most intimate to those that reserve the entire complex for your exclusive use. The 16th-century fortress which was built to protect the villagers from enemy attacks, now offers exceptional acoustics, and thanks to outstanding AV equipment and facilities, is a unique setting for concerts, parties and performances.

Wellness is an integral part of the LOPUD 1483 experience. Practice yoga or quiet meditation within the confines of the monastery’s sacred garden, or indulge in the signature menu of spa therapies, performed by the in-house specialists and visiting practitioners. Alternatively, take to the water and explore Croatia’s rocky coastline by sea kayak, join an expert guide to fish the waters of the Adriatic or embark on a romantic sunset cruise along the Dalmatian coast. Back on land, the team can arrange horse riding or mountain biking in Konavle, exploring the local villages and shaded orchards of Croatia’s stunning countryside.

The History

Located on the northern tip of the island, the Franciscan monastery of Our Lady of the Cave, commonly known as Gospa od Špilice, has been overlooking Lopud for centuries. The monastery’s origins date to the year 1483, which is engraved on its facade next to the entrance door and gives LOPUD 1483 its name.

Over the past 20 years the property has been sensitively restored by Creative Director Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza and her family, working closely with the Arhitektri studio in Zagreb to ensure that every aspect was carefully designed in order to preserve the historic origins of the building.

Looking up at the sky, through what remained of the floor above and the missing roof, in the mid-1990s Frank Gehry gave the following advice: “Take your time with this project!” And they did. Two decades of conservation followed, dealing with layer after layer of history. Every step was carefully designed so that the care and innovative architectural thinking can be seen in a way that does not detract from our host, the historical building.

Restoring the monastery complex meant not only protecting its original shape and character but also finding a concept that would allow to unfold the full potential of its existence in today’s time. Architect Rujana Bergam Marković sought to express her creativity through unexpected details and twists in space and achieved impressive ambience thanks to cautious work with color and light.

The interior of the monastery features many pieces of furniture designed by Paola Lenti, a renowned Milan-based furniture designer, whose approach based on serene coexistence of seemingly diverse influences shares the same philosophy that they had for the whole project.
It has been a long journey and an enormous collaborative process to revive this beautiful monastery complex into what it is today, transforming it into a place of shared learning where history, art, and botanical exploration unite the senses.

Alongside the aim of preservation, the future meaning and function of the monastery have been thoroughly considered. One of the original roles of Franciscan monasteries was cultural development and education, and this function was revived, in contemporary form, in 2018, when the monastery re-opened its doors to the public. Thanks to a sensitive approach by the Arhitektri studio in Zagreb, the monastery has been adapted to a contemporary space that can host conferences, symposia, retreats, and bespoke private events.

The Art Collection

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection traces its origins to August Thyssen (1842–1926), founder of the industrial empire and the first member of the family who showed an interest in the arts. After admiring Auguste Rodin’s works at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900, he commissioned the artist to create seven marble sculptures. The collection took shape during the following generation with August’s son Heinrich, the first Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza (1875–1947), who acquired not only most of the paintings now in the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid but also a large number of medieval and Renaissance furniture and sculptures, ivories, silver, carpets, tapestries, and Limoges enamels.

Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza (1921–2002) initially expanded the collection following his father’s taste but soon started acquiring modern art. His daughter Francesca has created one of the most important collections of contemporary art (TBA21), which is the result of an ongoing commitment to commissioning multidisciplinary art projects. She has selected two contemporary photographs, one by Thomas Struth and one by Rineke Dijkstra, which stand as fascinating counterparts to the old masters in the exhibition.

Highlights of the collection sitting at LOPUD include two 18th-century angels that used to stand guard at the entrance of the Villa Favorita, a magnificent Renaissance tapestry from France, and the spectacular Liberation of Saint Peter by Mattia Preti (ca. 1645), which was previously owned by Prince Eugène Rose de Beauharnais (1781–1824), who probably acquired it in Italy while accompanying his stepfather, Napoléon I, whose army also reached the Republic of Dubrovnik and the island of Lopud.

Other artworks on view include a large 16th-century Ushak carpet, German Renaissance gold and silver items, and paintings such as Saint Sebastian Holding an Arrow (late 1620s) by the Florentine artist Francesco Furini and an impressive portrait of Anna Dürer (1527) by an anonymous master.

Bringing contemporary art to this quiet corner of the Adriatic, Your Black Horizon Art Pavilion is an interdisciplinary project by artist Olafur Eliasson and architect David Adjaye, commissioned by Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary. Nestled amongst the sloping terrain of cypress trees, cacti and olive groves, Your Black Horizon Art Pavilion merges the fields of art and architecture into an “interlocking equation”, wherein ephemeral visual images and architectural formulations exist simultaneously.

The Island of Lopud

The largest of the three islands in the Elaphiti archipelago, Lopud is dotted with traditional stone houses and shady cypress groves, overlooking the neighbouring islands of Kolocep and Sipan.

Once the home of Dubrovnik’s naval fleet, Lopud has a rich and varied history dating back to Roman times. Today, the island is home to under 300 inhabitants, many of whom make a living through organic farming, fishing and wine making – enjoying the island’s slower pace of life. With no cars permitted on the island, Lopud’s natural environment has remained unspoilt and the island’s quiet villages and historic ruins make for an interesting day of exploration. The main settlement on the island surrounds the port of Lopud, overlooked by the monastery’s imposing bell tower and the atmospheric ruins of the fortress. Cycle across the island and spend a day on the sands of Šunj Bay, Lopud’s best beach, or spend time in the company of a local historian, exploring the numerous church ruins that dot the island – relics from an earthquake in 1667.

With limestone streets and ancient walls dating back to the 9th century, theUNESCO world heritage site of Dubrovnik old town lies just a short speed boat ride from Lopud Island.Discover the city’s hidden secrets with a privately guided tour, orsample one of Dubrovnik’s many world-class restaurants as dusk falls over the old city.

Minimum Stay Requirements:

• 5 nights required from June to September.

• 3 nights required for other periods.

  Additional Information:

  • Extra single rollaway beds can be provided in two of the rooms

  • The maximum occupancy of LOPUD 1483 is 10 people. Infants (including if these take the party size over 10 people) may be accommodated in cots subject to receiving consent in writing from the Property Manager.

  • Please note that the refectory (exhibition room) dining is for adults only.

  • Please note that strict check in times apply. Early check-in and late check out are only possible if the property is vacant before/after.

• Exclusive use of Lopud 1483 and its extensive gardens

• Accommodation for up to 10 people in five beautifully furnished bedrooms, all with king beds

• All rates include half board. Private chef-prepared breakfast, lunch and/or dinner making the most of locally sourced and home-grown ingredients which can be tailored to your preferences and dietary requirements

• Lopud 1483 selected local wines, beers, soft drinks and selected house spirits

• Private, direct access to the Adriatic Sea and free use of kayaks and stand-up paddle boards

• Professional, discreet staff:

  • Private Chef and Service

  • Host and concierge available to book excursions and restaurants

  • Housekeeping

  • 24-hour Security

• Transfers to and from Dubrovnik Airport (air-conditioned chauffeur transport to Brsecine then private speedboat transfer to Lopud) (Please note: transfers are based on a simultaneous transfer for all party members together, additional transfers at other times will be chargeable)

• Rooms for additional guests can be arranged locally (within walking distance)

• Upgrade to full board: €250 per adult / €75 per child (min €500)

• Day guests in excess of 10 people for lunch or dinner:€250 per adult /€75 per child (min €500)

• Specialty menus/ dishes

• Premium wine list and premium spirits

• Additional airport and speedboat transfers

• Additional boat excursions

• Massage, yoga, personal training and other treatments

• Additional security

• Special events (e.g. birthday parties, dinners, concerts, conferences