Lubenice

Lubenice – a city of Cres’s farmers from prehistoric times.

Lubenice is the best kept secret. It is placed 378 m above the sea and there is only 43 inhabitants that live in few families. They live from tourism (a small tavern and a snack bar in the main square), wine production, sheep farming and bee-keeping. Also, sheep skins for sale.
Lubenice is located on the Island of Cres. It is a medieval fortress, which rises to the top of a cliffs, 378 meters high. For many years here are held Lubenice evenings. This is truly an unique spectacle of whom are represented fests by numerous world and Croatian authors, which seeks to show that the quality of our musical heritage is not behind the works of world famous names. Here can also be heard folklore gangs.

Here is Lubenice located

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Use the mouse and the +/- buttons on the left to navigate within the map of Lubenice.

How to get to Lubenice

From Cres south through the only “highway 100” drive shortly before the “Vransko Jezero” right (signposted) to Lubenice. It expects an adventurous route, because the paved road is very narrow.

City map of Lubenice

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Pictures of Lubenice

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  Bay Lubenice

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  Lubenice

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  Table of Lubenice

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  Place Lubenice

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  Beautiful bay below Water melon

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  Streets in Lubenice

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  The bell tower

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  Basement

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  View of the Island and the Union Zeca

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  One of the gate

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  North door with a view to Ucka

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  view backwards

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  Lubenice

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  The sea

History of Lubenice

It is really a place from prehistoric times, which is for 4000 years inhabited without the interruption. It is 338 m above the sea level on a mountain ridge. Even the trip on a very narrow road, which is limited by the stone walls, puts you at a time, which seems far away. Lubenice has a situation that previously was strategically important as they provide almost an ideal overview and offered control over the plateau in the direction “Vransko jezero” as well as on ships in the Kvarner Bay. East Lubenice had a wall with two gates.

There are two founding legends of today’s Lubenice:

One says, the father and the son of the Sforza family from Venice lived on the sea bottom Vodiska. One day they were in the Bay of pirates bounded and robbed. After they were exempt, they decided to live on the safe plateau behind the vertical rock pulpit. So they came to Lubenice, in the (current) house in the 21.Ct. -the residents are still called “Vodiskari”.

The other states that in Osor lived a king who had a beautiful daughter. A simple young man fell in love with her. That made the king so angry that he threw his daughter out of the house. They wandered through the mountains of the island of Cres, and finally settled on the Felskuppe. They called Ljubica and at this point was the place Ljubenice (the Italians made the Lj in L and so it was Lubenice).

Today here can be found the remains of medieval city walls and the northern city gates. Here, outside the city walls is the church of St. Nicholas, which originates from the 14th century ..

What to see in Lubenice

The settlement consists only of two picturesque streets and ancient buildings. The remains of the old town on the northern part are still visible. There are also one of two city gates. In the northern part of Lubenice is an old cemetery.

• Church of St. Anton – a Gothic church, which dates from the 15. century. It lies directly at the entrance to the place

• Church of St. Mary was launched in 1798 (then still carcass!). In the 19th century, the building was expanded and renewed its present appearance.

• the bell tower from the year 1791. Previously there was a bell tower next to the church, but often attracted lightning and thus the entire wealth of the church was in danger, so it was decided to dismantle it.

• Within the city walls there is the Church of St.Jakob, the church stands beside the former borough and was built on the foundations of the eastern fortification. Inside is a Gothic vault.

In an addition to the cemetery is the newer of the church St.Stephan from the 17th Century.

From Lubenice is a strange fascination, with the certainly unique situation and the steep precipice connected to the sea.

Excursions in the region of Lubenice

• Bay Zanja – with the blue cave by the local population as “Škulja on Žanje.” It is abou 20 meters long.
• Vrana – an ancient Roman town situated above the Vransko Lake, where is a small Gothic church of St. Mary. Here lies the chapel of St. Rok from the 15th century where is kept the statue of the saint that is a patron that protects the inhabitants from plague.

• Vransko jezero Nature Park – Immediately on the main road 100, between Cres and Osor, is the place Vrana. Attraction is a stone altar from the Baroque. There is only about 20 inhabitants.

Vransko lake itself, still is an object of research scientists. The average water level is about 13 m above sea level, with the deepest point that is about 60 meters below the sea level. This lake is not connected with the underground water sources on the mainland.

This huge reservoir of natural and healthy potable water contains more than 200 million cubic meters of water. In the lake live the freshwater fishes: pike, tench and eels. The presence of eels is not fully explained. There is no evidence of a connection with the sea, and the eels in the sea.

The water of this lake is exclusively used as drinking water. The entrance to the lake is strictly prohibited. Fishing and swimming are here under penalty!

• Lubenice – Vidovici: duration 2h; 6km length

Approx. 1km before the current location is a small pine forest in the last curve before the village on the southern side and there is a diversion. At the intersection is a cross with an inscription on a stone nearby, the word “helmet”. This road leads south to a water hole. It leads the way through the wineyards to get into a dense pine forest. This is again a crossroads. The path leads straight to the summit “helmet” and to the village Vidovici. If you turn right, you reach a cave (Morska Spilja) and then come back to Lubenice.

Accomodations in Lubenice

Hotels in Lubenice

Camping in Lubenice

Private accomodations in Lubenice

Weather in Lubenice

Below you see the current weather forecast for Lubenice. The climate table of Lubenice tells you which temperatures can be expected for each month.

Current weather in Lubenice and a 7-day weather forecast for Lubenice

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Climate in Lubenice

Sports & leisure opportunities in Lubenice

• Cycling – from Cres you can come by bicycle to Lubenice, which will be an excellent sport trainning since there is nearly 400 meters to the top, and you will also bypass the car traffic.

Where to eat in Lubenice

In Lubenice are 2 small taverns or snack stands. The first is located on the main square at the bell tower, and the other inv the direction to the cemetery. The tavern Hibernica in the direction of the cemetery is recommended in high season, otherwise you’ll have to wait at least for one hour on a table!
You can try some local specialties and it is especially delicious homemade ham and cheese.

Beaches in Lubenice

Particularly impressed is the view of the harbor “Luka”, the only achievable walk across serpentines. Today this dream is a beautiful bay and a pebbly beach. However, descending from Lubenice to this beach requireds good shoes and a lot of time. Slightly south is the bay Zanja is the Blue Grotto at the sea level, the exciting snorkeling and diving experiences guaranteed.

Those who swim in small bays will migrate down to the bay Sveti Ivan. However, again up (about an 1 h).

Nightlife and entertainment in Lubenice

In Lubenice are organized musical evenings at whom you can enjoy in live music. Lubenice offers entertainment in taverns when they found good company for a song. This excellent romantic place will provide a quiet moments of relaxation and enjoyment, if you want a boisterous night-time encourage you to bring down still in the city where you will surely find what you’re looking for.

However, those who dream of picturing a romantic sunsets, should do it here! Others who want to experience something should visit the town of Cres.

Cultural events in Lubenice

• Lubenice musical evenings – during the Summer, musical evenings at which performs various performers of classical music. Otherwise, the program is rich in cultural and entertainment content, and everyone will find something fun.

• In the summer months here are held classical ensembles in the context of the summer concerts as well as jazz groups and folkloric formations.

• 02th February Candlemass of Maria

Videos of Lubenice

Below you can find travel videos from Lubenice. The videos from Lubenice are provided by CroVideos.com, the video portal for Croatia.

Discussions about Lubenice

Do you have more questions about Lubenice? Have a look at the Istria.info Forum and get more tipps about Lubenice.

Useful links

• Travel Portal for Kvarner with accomodations
• Forum about Kvarner
• News of Kvarner and Croatia
• more pictures of Lubenice