Perast: Discover the hidden jewel Montenegros on the Adriatic!

Perast: Discover the hidden jewel Montenegros on the Adriatic!

Perast, Montenegro - Montenegro has established itself as an insider tip for travelers in recent years who want to discover the beauty of the Adriatic. The excellent infrastructure enables holidaymakers to get from the mountainous north to the picturesque Adriatic coast in the south in just two hours. In this context, the small coastal village of Perast, which counts about 400 inhabitants, protrudes. With its impressive medieval architecture and the historical charm, Perast has reached the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and thus attracts numerous tourists.

Perast offers a variety of sights, including old churches, stylish villas and magnificent palaces. One of the main attractions are the small islands that lie off the Perast coast. Many tourists embark on small ships to visit these unique places.

The island "Lady on the Rock"

One of the best -known islands is "Lady on the Rock" (our dear wife of the rocks), which is famous for the church "Our Lady of the Rocks". This unique church stands on an island created by human hands, which was built from stones and sunken ships. The legend associated with this church goes back to the late 15th century. A boy named Marko found a picture of Mary, and after his mother died, the picture was rediscovered on a reef near Perast.

After a fire on the Prevlaka peninsula, the Mortičić brothers took the initiative and collected the locals to build a church in the place where the picture was found. The current temple is the result of construction work in late 17th and 18th centuries after the original chapel was destroyed in an earthquake in 1667. Today the church comprises several buildings, including the "Hall of Peace", where disputes of the peraster residents can be regulated.

cultural treasures and traditions

The museum of the church houses the largest collection of ship paintings in Europe, which represent maritime scenes and historical battles. Particularly noteworthy is a wall carpet that was made for over 25 years by a woman from Perast while waiting for her husband's return. The church is also decorated with over 2000 silver votive boards donated by seafarers, as a thank you for their rescue.

One of the local traditions, the fašinada, is very popular. At this annual boot procession from Perast to the island, the participants throw stones into the water to symbolically enlarge the island. The entire island has an area of ​​3030 m² and is therefore a popular place for weddings and tourist visits.

The island of St. Georg

Near "Lady on the Rock" is the island of St. Georg (Sveti đorđe), which houses an old Benedictine monastery. However, this island is not hit by any ship, and access is prohibited according to the provisions of the state of Montenegro. Violations can lead to high fines. In the crypt of the monastery on St. Georg, old monks and clergymen are said to be buried, and there are reports on mysterious phenomena.

The versatile beauty of Montenegros and the rich history of places such as Perast and its islands make the region a tempting goal for many travelers who want to experience culture, nature and tradition up close.