March the 27th, 2026 – Lubenice on the gorgeous Croatian island of Cres has only two residents. It is over 4,000 years old and is perched high on top of rugged cliffs, transporting all who visit it back into another era.
As Putni kofer/Antonia Ivcevic writes, there are still several ancient places dotted along the Croatian coast and on the islands that seem like scenes from long-forgotten times. Hidden away from the glare of mass tourism, quiet and almost unreal, they remind us of how powerful nature is and how incredible human perseverance is in the face of it. You will find one such place on the beautiful island of Cres, high above the sea, on a dramatic cliff with a view of Kvarner that you will remember for a lifetime. This is tiny little Lubenice, a small Croatian village that now only has two residents left, but that has defied the bura wind, the harsh sun and the weather for centuries.
lubenice – the croatian village with two residents and ancient roots
Situated as high as 378 metres above sea level, Lubenice seems to float above the open blue sea. As you approach it along the winding road through the rocky landscape of Cres, the first thing you will notice is complete peace and silence. There are no busy promenades or queues in front of restaurants here. Instead, you will be greeted by silence interrupted only by the sounds of the wind and a few crickets. This feeling of isolation and connection with nature makes this place truly special, if not painfully nostalgic.
The history of Lubenice is almost as fascinating as its dramatic position above the sea. The village is widely believed to be over 4,000 years old, making it among the oldest settlements in the entire Croatian Adriatic. The village was built on the site of the former Roman settlement of Hibernicia and for centuries remained an important strategic point from which the sea and the approaches to the island of Cres were closely monitored.
Today, Lubenice as an ancient Croatian village only has two residents who remain there year-round, preserving memories of a time when life here was much more lively. Although many of the old stone houses now sit empty, the stone facades and narrow streets still tell the saga of the generations that built their homes in this harsh but magnificent little island place.
a settlement named after a love story… or is it?
The heart of Lubenice itself is a small square where the Church of St. Mary (Sv Marija) is located. It’s precisely here that a special atmosphere comes to life every summer during the traditional Lubenice Music Evenings. Classical music concerts in the intimate space of the old church and in the open air in front of it create an experience that will be remembered for a long time. Visitors from all over the world come to enjoy the unique combination of silence and music, under the starry sky and with a view of the endless sea below.
Not unlike many other places across Croatia, Lubenice is also the home of interesting legends. According to one of the most famous stories, the name of the village is connected with the king’s daughter Ljubica. She fell in love with a young man who was not to her father’s liking and was expelled from the fortress. Love led her to this hill high above the sea, where she and her beloved began a new life. The place was supposedly named Ljubljenice in her honour, and later, during the Italian administration, the name was simplified to Lubenice.
One of the biggest attractions for everyone who visits this unusual old village is the beach of Sveti Ivan. Located in a secluded cove under a cliff, this pebbled shoreline regularly appears on lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The clear turquoise sea, white pebbles and almost unreal silence make it an ideal place to escape from everyday life.
It should be noted that actually getting to it is not so easy. This beach can be reached by boat, which is an easier option, but many adventurers opt for the narrow hiking trail that winds steeply down the cliff. The descent takes about an hour, while the return, due to the demanding climb, is often twice as long, and entirely unpleasant in the summer heat. Talking of summer, you will not find large crowds on the beach of Sveti Ivan.
global recognition for a tiny place forgotten by modernity
Lubenice gained additional global recognition in the mid-nineties when singer Maja Blagdan filmed the video for the song Sveta ljubav (Holy Love) right here, with which she represented Croatia at the Eurovision Song Contest. The footage of the stone village above the sea was beamed across Europe and revealed the beauty of this forgotten part of Cres to many people for the first time.
Today, Lubenice is a symbol of a slower lifestyle and a reminder that real journeys often begin where paved roads end. A stroll along its ancient stone streets and watching the sunset over the open sea turn into an experience that cannot be fully captured in a photograph. It is a place to be experienced with all the senses.
