Our Lady of the Rocks

Our Lady of the Rocks is a tiny man‑made island and church floating in the Bay of Kotor, steeped in legend and surrounded by deep blue waters and mountains.

F ew places in Montenegro capture the imagination like Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Škrpjela). Rising from the Bay of Kotor across from Perast, this small artificial island holds a 15th‑century church built on a foundation of sunken ships and stones that sailors have piled here for centuries. Legend tells of two brothers who found an icon of the Virgin Mary on a reef and vowed to build a church on that spot. Every July locals honour that promise during the Fašinada, rowing out from Perast to drop rocks into the sea to reinforce the island.

Visiting Our Lady of the Rocks is a serene experience. Small boats ferry passengers from Perast, gliding past cypress‑covered St. George Island and the dramatic cliffs of the bay. When you step ashore the silence is broken only by waves lapping against the jetty and the occasional church bell. Inside, the sanctuary glows with baroque frescoes painted by local artist Tripo Kokolja, silver votive plaques, and a famous tapestry woven from silk and the hair of a sailor’s wife who waited for his return.

The island also houses a small museum displaying maritime artifacts, gifts from pilgrims, and models of historic ships. From the terrace you can look back toward Perast’s stone palazzi and mountain backdrop, taking in a view that seems unchanged for centuries. It’s easy to understand why sailors would pray here before braving the open sea. Even today the place feels like a sanctuary, a pause between voyages where time slows and the weight of history settles gently.

A trip to Our Lady of the Rocks is usually combined with a stroll through Perast’s narrow streets, but it stands on its own as one of the Bay of Kotor’s essential experiences. Whether you’re drawn by the legend, the art or simply the beauty of the setting, the island offers a quiet perspective on the bay that’s hard to find elsewhere.