The Trsteno Arboretum. | Travel Blog | Croatia

A truly remarkable place, where the trees are waiting to tell you the story of this lost paradise. The Trsteno arboretum. Whether you’re a botanist or a simple citizen of the world, you will definitely stay speechless in this place. Okay, maybe not if you’re a botanist, you got us there. However, welcome to the oldest arboretum in this part of the world, in the small village of Trsteno.

Back in time

Just a 30min away from Dubrovnik, you will end up in a melting pot of trees and plants from all around the world. The arboretum itself started out as a privately owned one, belonging to the noble family of Gozze, until 1948. when it was donated to the Croatian Academy of Science and Arts. In the most interesting way was the arboretum erected, as the family has asked all of the local ship captains to bring back seeds and plants from their travels around the world. Can you imagine it, back in the 16th century? “Hey, Mate, while you’re in Japan, can you take some bamboo seeds for me? Thanks, you’re the best!”

Anyhow, we are lucky that it turned out that way. Nowadays, the arboretum is one of the most famous local attractions and a lot of the attention came after the famous “Game of Thrones” TV series decided to shoot some of their most memorable scenes here. And of course, the two Oriental Planes more than 500 years old, still standing here as the gatekeepers of this unique location, brought some of the world’s attention to it as well.