The town of Perast is a place filled with history and fascinating stories. One of the most famous of them is connected not with the town itself, but with a small island located just across the water in the middle of the Bay of Kotor.
In front of Perast lie two islands: Saint George Island and the much more famous Our Lady of the Rocks, known for centuries as the protector of sailors and fishermen.
The name Škrpjel is an old word referring to a rocky reef — a modest gift of nature that the people of Perast gradually transformed into an island. For centuries, locals helped nature by throwing stones around the reef, eventually creating the island as it exists today. From Perast, several tourist boats sail to the islands, offering visitors the opportunity to explore this unique site.
The Legend of the Island
According to legend, the island dates back to the early 15th century. Two fishermen from Perast, brothers Mortičić, were returning from fishing when they noticed a mysterious light shining from a small reef near the town. When they approached, they discovered an icon of the Virgin Mary. They took the icon to Perast and placed it in the church.
However, the following morning the icon had disappeared, only to be found again on the same reef where it had originally been discovered. This happened several times. The people of Perast interpreted it as a divine sign and decided to build a church on that very spot in honor of the Mother of God.
The townspeople began throwing stones around the reef, gradually reclaiming land from the sea. Over time they created an island of about 3,000 square meters, on which the church was built.
The Tradition of “Fašinada”
The tradition of adding stones around the island continues even today. Every year on July 22, the people of Perast celebrate the beginning of the church’s construction. On that day, locals sail around the island in boats and throw stones into the sea around it, symbolically strengthening the island and preserving it for future generations.
The Church and Its Architecture
The present church largely dates from the period after 1667, when the original sanctuary was damaged in a devastating earthquake that struck the region. The building has simple proportions with a single nave and a chapel crowned by a dome about 11 meters high, designed in a Byzantine style.
Baroque influences appear mainly in the architectural details. The church gained a more pronounced baroque appearance with the addition of a round bell tower, unique in form and possibly connected with defensive purposes.
In the mid-18th century, Vicko Smecchia, a nobleman from Perast, built a spacious terrace next to the dome, enclosed by a stone balustrade in Venetian-Renaissance style. The terrace also features the Smecchia family coat of arms, while the staircase bears the coat of arms of the municipality of Perast — a cross held by two hands, symbolizing Christian solidarity in the defense of faith.
A Sanctuary of Sailors
For centuries, sailors would visit this sanctuary before embarking on long voyages. They prayed before the miraculous icon for favorable winds and calm seas. These rituals were attended not only by sailors but also by their families and local priests.
As a sign of gratitude for safe journeys, sailors left votive silver plaques, many of which can still be seen in the church today.
The Story of Jacinta Kunić
The church also holds a touching story about Jacinta Kunić, a woman from Perast who reportedly waited 25 years for her beloved to return from the sea. During those years she worked on an extraordinary embroidery that is still preserved in the church.
The artwork is unique because part of it was made using her own hair. When she began the embroidery her hair was dark; after 25 years it had turned completely white. She used fine damask fabric, colorful beads, and incredibly detailed needlework. In some sections there are about 650 needle stitches per square centimeter.
This special technique is known in Italian as “punto pittura”, meaning painting with a needle. The story and the details of this remarkable piece are often explained to visitors by the sanctuary’s caretaker and guide, who proudly shares the history of this extraordinary place.
