Perast was our first destination. We had a short walking tour of the historic old town. First we saw the Church of St. John the Baptist, located in the western part of the town. It was first mentioned in documents in 1595 when one of its church bells was made.
At Perast we took a boat to The Lady of the Rocks. We were the second boat to go, so it was not crowded, and we had time to really explore this beautiful site.
Our Lady of the Rocks is on an artificial island with an interesting story. According to legend, two sailors passing by this part of the bay in 1452 encountered the image of Madonna and the Child on a rock. The following day, they were out again and were amazed to see the same image of Our Lady on the same rock. Since then, generations of seamen have pledged their faith to the saint by laying a rock on the bay after each successful voyage. Over time, an islet emerged from the sea, upon which a small chapel was built. Sailors continued to thank Our Lady of the Rocks by presenting her with gifts from distant lands, including precious items like Chinese vases, porcelain, gold, and silver. This enduring tradition underscores the profound bond sailors shared with Our Lady of the Rocks and the distinctive ways they chose to convey their appreciation.
Today, Our Lady of the Rocks is home to a vast treasure trove of priceless artifacts that were given as votive offerings to express gratitude to the Lady for her protection during long journeys or assistance in recovering from illnesses. Each of these votive offerings and silver plates, which were even more valuable than gold during that time, carries a unique narrative about a person’s future.
The Lady of the Rocks Monastery houses a vast array of religious artifacts and art pieces that are sure to captivate visitors. The most renowned attraction within the monastery is the collection of 68 oil paintings by local baroque artist Tripo Kokolja. These magnificent works of art depict scenes from the lives of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.
The impressive iconostasis is filled with icons. Moreover, there is a famous votive tapestry on display, gifted to the monastery by the Venetian Republic in gratitude for the successful defense of the bay from pirates. The tapestry is considered one of the finest examples of textile art in the region. Lastly, visitors can marvel at a collection of silver votive tablets, which were left by grateful sailors who were saved from shipwrecks by the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
Jacinta Kunić Mijović from Perast spent 25 years embroidering a picture of the upper portion of the main altar of the church with gold and silver threads and strands of her hair, featuring an image of the Holy Virgin covered with a silver chain. Her work is an exquisite and elaborate testament to her devotion to Our Lady of the Rocks and is a cherished part of the island’s vast collection of votive offerings.
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