Montenegro

Perast – Montenegro

Jeff

“One of the most beautiful towns on the Adriatic coast, Perast, is my favourite place on the Bay of Kotor…

With 17 Baroque palaces, 19 churches but scarcely more than 250 residents, Perast is a tiny town packed with history and legend.

It might be just a 20-minute drive away from popular Kotor, but Perast has a totally different vibe.” – 13 Things to Do in Perast, the Loveliest Town on the Bay of Kotor – Emily Lush

I have no doubt that the quote above is true. Perast certainly is a beautiful city.


Beautiful seaside view of Perast

Our visit to Perast had a defined purpose and that was to see what many would claim is the number one attraction, Our Lady of the Rocks Roman Catholic Church.

There are two islands directly off the coast of Perast. The Benedictine Monastery of St. George can be seen on the left which is not open to the public and Our Lady of the Rocks is on the right.


the two islands off the coast of Perast

Our Lady of the Rocks is constructed on a man-made island. Two fishermen apparently discovered an image of the Virgin Mary at that location in 1452 and this was enough to convince the town that there was destined to be a chapel on that site. Read more about the legend of Our Lady of the Rocks Chapel and its development HERE


the island with Our Lady of the Rocks

Though small, the beautiful landmark is full of charm and worthy of careful exploration.


A view of the wall and dome of Our Lady of the Rocks

The most notable feature is the distinctive blue dome.


Another view of the distinctive blue dome and gardens

The sanctuary is very well appointed with attractive religious statuary and ornaments and the detailed altar is aesthetically framed against deep red walls.


The Altar of the Chapel at Our Lady of the Rocks

Perhaps hoping to garner blessings for recent nuptials, brides hang bouquets above the sanctuary doorway.


Bridal Bouquets left above the doorway

The picturesque surroundings encourage visitors to walk around the perimeter of the island.


The tower of Our Lady

It was fun to seek out the interesting details such as sculptures of muscular ancients holding the bench for those seeking a place to rest.


Statues of ancient musclemen holding up a bench

Tourists are tempted to look back toward Perast through the windows and gates to take in the beauty of the town from a distant perspective.


Looking through a large security door toward the town of Perast

The island is a bustling place with numerous boatloads of people coming and going.


Boats arriving and leaving the island of Our Lady of the Rocks

Another beautiful scene unfolds while looking southeast from Our Lady of the Church toward St. George Island.


St. George Island

This was a spectacular day visiting Kotor and Perast!


Heading back toward the town of Perast

 

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Notes:
See previous posts in this series:

Dubrovnik, Croatia – Pearl of the Adriatic
Old Town Dubrovnik – Above it all
Old Town Dubrovnik – The Low Down
Dubrovnik from the Adriatic and Mt. Srd
Montenegro & The Walled City of Kotor

 

 

Montenegro & The Walled City of Kotor

Jeff

After a few days in Dubrovnik it was time to bid the city farewell and travel onward to the country of Montenegro.


map of Croatia and Montenegro
Map courtesy of Owl & Mouse modified by J. Ross for this post

Shortly after boarding the ferry at the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), the beauty of the area was on display.


A peninsula in the bay of Kotor with houses

Against such a backdrop even a humble transport ferry somehow becomes more photogenic.


A ferry crossing the Bay of Kotor

The crossing of the bay to Porto Montenegro took approximately 15-20 minutes.

After disembarking the ferry, travelers can take a brief ride to the marina with its impressive yachts.


Yachts anchored at Porto Montenegro

Adjacent to the waterfront was a beautifully detailed shopping mall where visitors can feel like they are in an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.


Designer mall at Porto Montenegro


Dior Store at Porto Montenegro

The mall ran alongside the hotel and “commuter” marina for smaller watercraft.


Hotel and marina at Porto Montenegro

After a quick visit to Porto Montenegro it was off to the ancient walled city of Kotor.


Walled City of Kotor's South Gate
Gurdic Gate (South Gate) City of Kotor

The small city with winding streets and steep hillsides has numerous attractions and charming characteristics. A favorite stop for tourists is the Cathedral Of Saint Tryphon (Sveti Tripun) which dates back to 1166. Parts of the Cathedral were rebuilt and modified after earthquakes as evidenced by the differences in the two towers.

 


Cathedral Of Saint Tryphon

The brick columns and vaulted arches offer the sanctuary the impressive countenance it’s history demands.


Interior of the Cathedral Of Saint Tryphon

The gilded altar is one of the city’s prized possessions.


Altar of the Cathedral Of Saint Tryphon

Not far from the Cathedral is a square where one of the oldest trees in the world can be found. This black poplar was reportedly planted around 1667.


Black Poplar dating back to 1667
Black Poplar (Populus nigra) – read more HERE

The thick brick walls and amply spaced viewpoints reinforce the concept that Kotor is a fortress.


Kotor's fortress walls

It is a wonder how some of the more delicate artifacts such as this carving of the Venetian Lion under an archway have withstood the centuries.


Relief carving of the Venetian Lion

Every town or village of this era has at least one fountain.


Public Fountain

Built along the base of the mountainous cliffs, residents of Kotor made use of steep, outdoor stairways that have become quite worn over the years.

 


Exterior steps to the next level of the city

In any area that beckons travelers, there are dining venues and Kotor was no exception.


Restaurant table with flowers and wine

Inside the city’s walls one can see just the tips of the cliffs of Mount Lovćen. Once outside of the wall the scope of the mountains becomes more apparent.


Mountain views from outside the city wall

The domed buildings inside the wall are nestled between the mountains and the Škurda River.


The Skurda River along the walls of Kotor
Near the North Gate/River Gate

 

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Notes:

If you are interested in a detailed guide to Kotor, check out Toms Port Guide to Kotor.

 

See Previous Posts in this series:

Dubrovnik, Croatia – Pearl of the Adriatic
Old Town Dubrovnik – Above it all
Old Town Dubrovnik – The Low Down
Dubrovnik from the Adriatic and Mt. Srd