Our Lady of the Rocks

Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela) is an artificial islet with a small church and museum located off the town of Perast in the Bay of Kotor. According to local tradition the islet was created beginning in 1452 when local seafarers sank old ships and laid stones over a submerged rock.

The church on the islet contains religious paintings and votive offerings and a small museum documenting the community’s maritime and religious history. Visitors typically reach the islet by short boat trip from Perast and view the Baroque interior and seafaring votive collection.

The islet and church have been maintained by the Perast community for centuries, and the annual Fašinada ceremony continues the local custom of reinforcing the islet with stones.

The islet lies a short distance offshore from Perast within the inner Bay of Kotor on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast.

• Access: Short boat rides run from Perast and other nearby harbours, making the islet easily accessible on day visits.
• Local tradition: An annual local ceremony, the Fašinada, sees residents throw stones into the bay to maintain the islet; it takes place each July and is a living local tradition.

What to See #

• Church and museum: The Church of Our Lady of the Rocks occupies the islet and contains a chapel with baroque decoration, votive tablets and a small museum of religious objects.