Travel // Going Around // Europe // Picturesque Islands off the Town of Perast
These are the man-made islet, ‘Our Lady of the Rock’ and the natural islet, ‘Island of Saint George’. These two picturesque tiny islands are treasures of both artificial and natural beauty and of great value to the history of Montenegro.
The Baroque church of Our Lady of the Rock. Photo taken on May 30, 2010
The Our Lady of the Rock is an artificial islet that was formed by piling of stones around a large underwater rock. On the islet stands the Baroque church of Our Lady of the Rock. The church displays rich historical treasures of around 2500 silver votive tablets on its walls. These tablets were brought by seamen after tempestuous times out at sea. The construction of the church dates back in 1630.
Island of Saint George. Photo taken on May 30, 2010
The Island of Saint George is a natural island and is home to a church of the same name, as well as ruins of a Benedictine Monastery from the 12th century located on a cliff, surrounded by a pine forest. The French transformed it into a fortress, which was conquered by the inhabitants of Perast in 1813.
It is a privilege to view these two islets in the middle of a small bay just near the opening of the narrow channel both during the ship’s passage towards the well sheltered harbour of Kotor and during its passage out from Kotor to seaward. I took photos of these islands during ship’s passage for Kotor in the morning but the ship was a bit far and my camera isn’t equipped with long range zoom lens so the islands appeared very tiny. Fortunately, in the afternoon when the ship left Kotor and heads for sea, the local pilot make one round turn of these two islands allowing us a closer view, so I have these photos here. Upon passing the church of Our Lady of the Rock, Captain gave three long blows from the ship’s whistle as a sign of courtesy to the monks inhabiting the artificial island and in return we heard continuous ringing of the bell from the belfry or the bell tower of the church.
Town of Perast. Photo taken on May 30, 2010
