Sveti Đorđe & Gospa od Škrpjela
In the depths of the Bay of Kotor, opposite Perast, lie two islands – St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks. Despite their close proximity, each has a unique history intertwined with ancient legends, faith, and maritime traditions of Montenegro. For centuries, these islands served as spiritual and historical landmarks for sailors, and today, they attract thousands of travelers with their mysterious atmosphere and picturesque views.
St. George Island is a natural island covered with tall cypress trees, symbolizing eternal life. In the 10th century, a Benedictine monastery was founded here, quickly gaining importance as a major religious center in the region. Its abbots were appointed directly by the Pope, and the surrounding lands were used for the needs of the Catholic Church. However, as often happened in history, the influence of the clergy did not always satisfy the local population.

In 1535, outraged by the priest’s disregard for parishioners and his excessive greed, the residents of Perast killed him at the altar. In response, the Pope excommunicated the town, and church services on the island were banned for eleven years.

This island is also known as the "Island of the Dead", as until the 19th century, it served as the main cemetery for Perast’s nobility. According to some, it was the inspiration for Arnold Böcklin’s famous painting "Isle of the Dead". In 1807, during the French occupation of the Bay of Kotor, the island became the site of dramatic events. After the destruction of his beloved Katica’s home, officer Anto, who had fought against the French, became a hermit on the island under the name Brother Frano. After his death, he was buried next to Katica, and their story became one of the area’s tragic legends.

Today, St. George remains closed to tourists and can only be seen from the water. Excursions are not conducted, and mooring is prohibited—marked by an inverted anchor visible from the shore as a symbol of restriction. However, some daredevils still attempt to swim to the island, challenging either their own endurance or the Pope himself.
A completely different fate awaited Our Lady of the Rocks – the only artificial island in the Adriatic.
In the 15th century, Perast sailors found an icon of the Virgin Mary on a reef emerging from the water and saw it as a divine sign. According to legend, it was discovered on a rainy July night and brought to shore, where the townspeople interpreted it as a call to establish a sacred place. However, there was no island—only a rocky reef—so a real foundation had to be created.

Thus began a 200-year-long process of constructing a new piece of land in the Bay of Kotor. At first, stones were manually delivered by fishing boats, but later, old or captured enemy ships were filled with rocks and sunk near the reef. Over time, the seabed strengthened, and by the 17th century, the island was finally complete. Covering about 3,000 square meters, it became home to a church with a turquoise dome, now a key pilgrimage site for sailors.

The church's interior is impressive in its decoration. Its walls are adorned with over 2,000 silver plates, each donated by sailors in gratitude for their survival at sea. One of the most unique artifacts is a tapestry embroidered by Jacinta Kunic-Mijovic from Perast while waiting for her husband, who had set off on a long voyage. She spent 25 years working on it, weaving in not only gold and silver threads but also strands of her own hair.

Today, both islands remain significant spiritual symbols of the Bay of Kotor. While St. George remains a quiet, mysterious place hidden behind cypresses, Our Lady of the Rocks is open to visitors, welcoming thousands of pilgrims and tourists. Captains passing by the island sound their ship’s horn in greeting, and the priest responds by ringing the church bell, continuing a centuries-old tradition.
Made on
Tilda