The Sacred Churches Floating on the Bay of Kotor
Beyond the UNESCO World Heritage town of Kotor, there is another must-visit destination in the Bay of Kotor.
That is the quiet little town of Perast, nestled peacefully along the bay.
Perast is about a 20-minute drive from Kotor. With a population of just around 500, this tiny town offers a tranquil and breathtakingly beautiful landscape.
St. George Island
The highlight of Perast is undoubtedly the two small islands floating just off its coast.
One is St. George Island, home to a monastery. The other is a man-made island with a church known as Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela in Montenegrin).
The story of Our Lady of the Rocks dates back to the 15th century. According to legend, a fisherman discovered an icon of the Virgin Mary on a small reef at this location. Believing it to be a sacred sign, he erected a cross on the rock.
After that, the townspeople began sinking rocks and stones around the reef, gradually expanding it until it took the shape of the island we see today. You can reach the island by boat and explore the church’s richly decorated interior, which is adorned with paintings.
Boats depart from Perast and reach the island in just about 5 minutes—offering a short but scenic mini-cruise across the Bay of Kotor.
