In the heart of the old town on the Croatian island of Lastovo lies this old house, whose history is still visible in each of its studios. The houses of the village climb the hillside, creating an almost amphitheater-like effect from above. From the windows, one looks down over rooftops and small houses to the fields where vegetables, grapes, and olives grow. Beyond them begin the wooded hills of the island.
The building was discovered by architect Jurek Brüggen, who anchored in the bay of Sv. Mihovil during a sailing trip with friends. They were captivated by the old harbor, the landscape, and above all, the tranquility of Lastovo. Together with his architectural firm, andjurekbrüggen, he renovated the house, consciously altering it as little as possible. In each studio, old murals and remnants of plaster were uncovered, carefully restored, and preserved. Each studio looks a little different, even though the built-in elements are similar.
The new elements remain understated: walls, ceilings, and floors showcase their natural materials, complemented by simple, light gray built-in units and folding partitions. The studios are cozy, uncomplicated, and furnished to a high standard, without the decor detracting from the house itself. The combination of the solid old walls, the traces of previous inhabitants, and the simple architecture gives the rooms their special tranquility.
The house is now rented out by the label ORTE. Sarah and Ivan are the local contacts and know the island well. The entire island is a nature park and remains relatively secluded. You can hike, swim, take a boat trip to small coves, or simply gaze at the exceptionally clear night sky in the evening. The island is also ideal for a longer stay, especially if you're looking to truly escape from everyday life.
Rooms + Rates
per night| Kleines Studio | from85 € |
| Großes Studio | from158 € |
Characteristics
- Studios in a historic house in the old town of the island of Lastovo in Croatia
- Lastovo and the surrounding archipelago have been protected as a nature park since 2006.
- Small shop selling regional and organic food
- Hiking trails, bays and clear water around the island
- Good conditions for swimming, hiking, boating and stargazing
- Only about 15 minutes to the island's beaches
- Also well suited for longer stays (with attractive discounts for stays of 7 nights or more)
Sustainable
The concept behind the renovation was clear: intervene as little as possible, carefully repair the existing structure, and preserve its history. The result is seven simple studios, all built according to the same principle. Much of the work involved local craftsmanship. The local carpenter restored the historic windows and crafted new shutters based on traditional designs. A local metalworker handled all the metalwork – from the rooftop terrace railing to the shower curtain rod. A construction company from the island was responsible for the structural work, plastering, painting, and demolition. The natural stone flooring is made from regional stone sourced from the Croatian mainland.
There is no restaurant in the building, but there is a small shop in the entrance selling regional and organic food.
From the very beginning, the house has been closely connected to the island's residents. Local tradespeople worked on the project during construction, and the building contractor, Ivan, is now also the point of contact for guests. Sarah takes care of the management and maintenance of the studios. She has lived on Lastovo for many years and knows the island just as well as Ivan. The team behind the scenes is also involved in daily operations: office and on-site staff can stay at the house year-round at a reduced rate, are involved in decision-making, and participate in regular meetings. The house does not support its own social project. Instead, the focus is on keeping as much of the added value as possible on the island. Construction, maintenance, and guest services are all handled by local people, and the small on-site shop is stocked with products from regional producers.
The exhaust air from the bathrooms is used to power an exhaust air heat pump, which heats the domestic hot water. There is no permanently installed heating or air conditioning system. If it gets chilly in winter, mobile furniture with integrated infrared heating panels can be used. In summer, the thick stone walls provide some climate control, keeping the rooms pleasantly cool. In addition, wooden shutters with movable louvers, crafted according to traditional designs, provide shade while still allowing for ventilation. Even in everyday life, the use of resources remains simple: waste is collected separately, cleaning is done with environmentally friendly products, and the bathrooms are equipped with natural cosmetics, shampoo, shower gel, and soap. Guests are also made aware of the special protection afforded to the island: Lastovo and the surrounding archipelago have been designated as the Lastovsko otočje Nature Park since 2006.
Features
- Seven studios of different sizes (1-2 people up to 6 people)
- Studios 1+2 and 3+4 can be connected
- All studios feature a fully equipped kitchen.
- Roof terrace for communal use
- The studio in the attic can also be used as a yoga or event space.
- The house can also be rented as a whole (up to 22 people)
Fotos: Anne Schwalbe, ammi
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