Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary

The Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary stands on a small wooded island in the middle of Veliko Jezero, the Great Lake, inside Mljet National Park. It is among the oldest and most atmospheric church complexes on the Adriatic, and the combination of water, pine trees and warm stone gives the place a calm that has drawn visitors for centuries. The monastery was founded in 1151 by Benedictine monks from Puglia, in southern Italy, who settled on the island of Mljet and built a community here. The church is a fine example of Romanesque architecture and is often compared in style to Santa Margherita in Bisceglie, in Apulia, which points to the link with the monks' homeland.

Over the centuries, the complex was added to. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Renaissance elements were introduced, including a cloister with graceful arches, and in the late 17th century a tower and defensive walls were built to protect the community from attack. Mljet was ruled by the Republic of Dubrovnik for most of this period, and the monastery was part of the island's religious and economic life, with the monks managing land and keeping records. The Benedictines remained until the early 19th century, when the community was dissolved, and after that the buildings served as a school and later as a parish centre before becoming a tourist attraction.

Getting there is part of the experience. Visitors take a short boat ride across Veliko Jezero from Mali Most, a small landing on the shore of the lake, and the transfer is included in the national park admission ticket. The crossing takes only a few minutes, and the monastery's stone walls and red-tiled roofs come into view among the greenery, with water on every side. On the island there is a church, a cloister and a small restaurant and café, and you can sit near the water or walk around the island's paths. The surrounding pines and holm oaks give shade, and the lake is calm enough for swimming from nearby shores.

The national park around it is worth exploring. Cycling and walking paths circle the two saltwater lakes, and rental bikes and small boats are available at several points. Ferries and catamarans bring visitors to Mljet from Dubrovnik and the Pelješac peninsula, and the park is most pleasant in spring and autumn, when it is quieter.

The monastery suits history lovers, photographers, couples and families who enjoy peaceful scenery. Dress modestly for the church, allow an hour or two, and consider an early visit to avoid the busiest time.