Lubenice: 3500 Jahre über der Adria

About the location

Perched on a 378-metre-high cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Lubenice is one of the oldest and most spectacular villages on the island of Cres. According to tradition, the settlement is around 3,500 years old and is even said to have served as a pirate stronghold in the past. Today, the village can only be reached via a scenic seven-kilometre single-lane road winding through pine forests, dry-stone walls and Mediterranean vegetation including sage, juniper, holm oaks and broom.

Walking through Lubenice feels like stepping back in time. Natural stone houses with exterior staircases, former storage rooms on the ground floor and balconies once used for drying figs characterize the village. Two narrow lanes lead past its main sights: the small chapel at the entrance, the freestanding bell tower with its loggia, the parish church, the historic communal cistern and the small Shepherd Museum housed in the former school building.

The impressive freestanding bell tower is particularly remarkable. It is believed to have originally been built as a medieval watchtower overlooking the coast before later becoming the church's bell tower. Between the church and the tower lies the communal cistern, which is still supplied with rainwater collected from the church roof—a reminder of how precious fresh water has always been on the karst island of Cres.

At the beginning of the 20th century, nearly 250 people lived here. Today, only a handful of permanent residents remain. Like many historic hilltop villages, Lubenice struggles with depopulation, yet it has become one of Cres' most popular destinations.

From the viewpoint at the western edge of the village, you'll enjoy breathtaking views across the Adriatic and down to the turquoise Sv. Ivan Bay, regularly ranked among Croatia's most beautiful beaches. With a bit of luck, you may also spot griffon vultures soaring above the dramatic cliffs. For centuries, these birds benefited from the island's extensive sheep farming, although sheep numbers have declined considerably in recent decades.

Lubenice is also an excellent starting point for hikes to Sv. Ivan Beach or the famous Blue Cave, which can also be reached by excursion boat.

The Cache

Walk to the viewpoint at the western edge of the village. There you will find a telescope with a scale.

Round the highest value shown on the scale to the nearest multiple of ten. The result is the logging password.

Please also upload a photo of yourself or any personal item you brought with you at the viewpoint or showing something in Lubenice that you particularly enjoyed.

Have fun exploring! :)