Church of Our Lady of the Rocks

About

Church of Our Lady of the Rocks is one of Montenegro’s most enchanting landmarks, rising from a man‑made island in the Bay of Kotor. According to legend, sailors placed stones at this spot after each safe return from sea, gradually creating the foundation for the church built in 1630. This tradition continues today during the annual Fašinada, when locals row out to add new stones, reinforcing the island year after year. Inside, the church is rich with maritime symbolism. The main altar features elegant Baroque carvings and paintings by local masters. The walls are lined with votive silver plaques donated by sailors, each depicting storms, ships, and miraculous rescues. Together they form one of the largest collections of maritime votives in the Adriatic. A highlight is the museum adjoining the church, displaying navigation instruments, historical documents, and portraits of Perast’s famous captains. Among its most intriguing items is a delicate embroidered icon created over decades by a local woman using her own hair—an extraordinary symbol of devotion.

Perast Montenegro

Location

The Church of Our Lady of the Rocks stands on a small artificial island in the Bay of Kotor, just a short boat ride from the waterfront of Perast. The island was created over centuries by local sailors who sank stones and old ships around a rocky outcrop, and the blue-domed church that crowns it is one of the most recognisable sights in the bay. From the island you look straight across the water to Perast itself, where the elegant Bujović Palace houses the Town Museum dedicated to the town’s seafaring past. Along the same waterfront stand the Church of St. Nicholas with its tall bell tower and a row of baroque stone palaces. A little further out sits the natural island of St. George, home to a Benedictine monastery and cypress trees. Boats leave regularly from Perast’s quay, making the short crossing easy. After visiting the church and its small museum of votive offerings and paintings, you can return to the mainland and wander the quiet waterfront or climb up through the narrow streets of Perast without any rush, taking in the calm atmosphere of this compact baroque town.