Rising up from one of the lakes on the Croatian island of Mljet, St. Mary's Island is a pint-sized islet outpost framed by crystal-clear water.
St. Mary's island is a popular stop among yacht-goers visiting Mljet as part of a private yacht charter in Croatia.
The island sits in a protected nature reserve within a glassy lake on Mljet, a small island in the Adriatic just a few hundred kilometers from the mainland. Mljet is a beautiful destination in its own right, home to lush pine forests and pristine sandy beaches.
Around St. Marys Island, visitors can spend the day kayaking, canoeing, or cooling off with a refreshing dip in the water. After a morning of fun, be sure to step onto the island to discover the timeless beauty and elegance of the ancient monastery.
Be sure to step on to the island to discover the timeless beauty and elegance of the ancient monastery.
The Benedictine Monastery is thought to have been constructed in the mid-12th century. However, the structure underwent a number of changes influenced by the Baroque movement that was sweeping Croatia during the second half of the 12th century.
Around this time, the Benedectine monks built a small chapel next to the monastery to meet their need for a second place of worship. The central monastery was used as more of a residence, and the monks that inhabited the building were able to fish in the lake by casting their line from their windows.
In the mid-16th century, the monastery was rebuilt yet again, and a defense tower and other fortification measures were added to the site.
Nowadays, the monastery is remarkably well-preserved, with rooms, corridors and stained-glass windows still perfectly intact. Ruins from other buildings can be found in the area, where you will also find an alluring variety of wildflowers and a small drove of donkeys.
Inside the building, visitors can take advantage of a simple cafe and a small Game of Thrones museum that is sure to pique the interests of fans.
If you are considering incorporating St Marys Island into your Croatia yacht charter, you can take a look at all luxury yachts for crewed yacht charters in the East Mediterranean to begin planning your dream vacation. Alternatively, you can get in touch with a recommended yacht charter broker who will be able to help create your dream yacht rental vacation.
