In the serene Bay of Kotor, opposite the noble town of Perast, floats an almost miraculous sight: a small island crowned by a blue-domed church, which seems to have sprouted from the waters themselves.
The Legend: How It All Began
The story takes us back to July 22, 1452. According to legend, two sailor brothers from Perast found an icon of the Virgin Mary on a small rock emerging from the water. They saw it as a divine sign. The citizens of Perast then vowed to build a church on that exact spot. For over 200 years, they sank old ships and threw stones into the sea, slowly creating the artificial island we see today.
The Living Tradition: The Fašinada
Every year at sunset on July 22, one of Europe's most unique festivals, the Fašinada, takes place. A procession of decorated fishing boats leaves Perast, and the men on board throw stones into the water around the island, symbolically continuing the act of fortifying its foundations.
The Treasures Inside the Church
The church is a treasure trove of art, but its most precious artifact is a tapestry embroidered by Jacinta Kunić-Mijović. She waited 25 years for her beloved captain to return from the sea, and during that time, she wove the masterpiece with silk, silver, gold, and also threads of her own hair, which turned from golden to silver over time.
How to Visit Our Lady of the Rocks
Small taxi boats depart constantly from the Perast waterfront. The trip takes less than 5 minutes and costs between 5 and 10 euros per person (round trip).
