Day 9: Kotor, Montenegro

Today is the final day of our Balkan adventure. Our last day promises something unforgettable – a journey to the Our Lady of the Rocks, home to a beautiful church and a fascinating history.

 Perast

Perast is a charming town in Kotor Bay, known for its historic architecture and stunning views.

From Perast, you can board a boat to the picturesque islet of Our Lady of the Rocks.

View of Perast from our boat

Closing in on Our Lady of the Rocks...

On route to Our Lady of the Rocks, we passed by St. George's Island, a small patch of land cloaked in cypress trees.

St. George's Island is home to a Benedictine monastery that dates back to the 12th century. The island also served as a cemetery for the nobility of Perast. Many prominent families from the town chose this serene and isolated island as their final resting place, adding to its historical importance. St. George's Island is sometimes referred to as the "Island of the Dead" because of its association with funerals and burials. According to local legend, the island is cursed, and those who disturb its peace may face misfortune. The island is famously covered in tall cypress trees, which give it a distinct and somewhat somber appearance. These trees symbolize death and eternity, enhancing the island's reputation as a tranquil yet solemn place. Unlike Our Lady of the Rocks, St. George's Island is not open to the public. This restriction helps preserve its tranquil atmosphere and historical structures, but it also contributes to its mystique. Visitors can admire the island from a distance or while on a boat tour.

Our Lady of the Rocks

The legend of Our Lady of the Rocks in Kotor is truly captivating. On July 22, 1452, two fishermen from Perast stumbled upon an icon of the Virgin Mary and Child on a small rocky islet in the Bay of Kotor. One of the fishermen, who had been previously crippled, attributed his miraculous healing to the icon. When they rediscovered the icon the following day, they decided to build a church on the islet in honor of the Virgin Mary. To achieve this, the locals began sinking old ships filled with rocks, gradually creating a foundation for the island. This method allowed them to expand the land and eventually construct the church on the islet. Over the centuries, local seamen have upheld the tradition of throwing rocks into the sea to enlarge the islet. This custom continues to this day and is celebrated annually on July 22 during an event called Fašinada, where locals take their boats and throw rocks into the sea to further widen the island.

The church houses a fascinating museum that showcases centuries of maritime history and devotion. Inside, visitors can explore votive offerings, intricate artwork, and historical artifacts, all reflecting the deep connection between the local community and the Virgin Mary.

The ceiling of Our Lady of the Rocks church - stunning Baroque-style frescoes depicting vivid religious scenes 

Embroidered image of Mother Mary

This tapestry created by Jacinta Kunic-Mijović holds significant historical and emotional value, reflecting a deeply personal story. Jacinta worked on this tapestry for over 25 years while waiting for her sailor husband, who was lost at sea. The piece embodies her love, faith, and hope, as well as her grief and longing. Embroidered with gold and silver thread, the tapestry's most unique feature is that Jacinta used her own hair for parts of the design. As her hair turned from dark to gray over the years, this transformation is captured in the embroidery, adding a poignant, personal touch to the work.

Inside the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks, a fascinating room showcases a collection of bells and kerosene lamps, donated by sailors as votive offerings. The bells, used on ships for signaling, symbolize gratitude for safe voyages, while the kerosene lamps, once essential for lighting homes and vessels, represent the light of faith. These artifacts reflect the deep maritime traditions of the Bay of Kotor, where seafarers entrusted their safety to Our Lady. The room, part of the church’s museum, offers a serene glimpse into the lives and devotion of those who relied on the sea.

Silver plaques as votive offerings from sailors, given in gratitude to the Virgin Mary for safe passage through perilous seas. Each plaque, often intricately designed and inscribed, tells a personal story of survival and faith. Over centuries, this collection has grown into one of Europe’s largest and most remarkable displays of maritime devotion.

Once back on the mainland, we returned to the old town of Kotor.

Pima Palace

The  Pima Palace, a 17th-century Baroque gem, reflects the wealth and prominence of the noble Pima family, with its ornate balcony and Venetian-inspired design.

The Pima family eventually declined in influence, as often happens with noble families over time. After the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797, Kotor became part of the Austrian Empire, which shifted the political and social dynamics in the region. The Pima family, like many other noble families, gradually lost their political power. Today, their legacy lives on through architectural landmarks like the Pima Palace, but the family itself no longer holds any prominent position in Kotor's modern society

The Church of St. Nicholas - Serbian Orthodox church built from 1902 to 1909.

Lunch @ Giardino

After lunch, it was time to bid farewell to this beautiful part of the world. Though it was hard to leave, I knew that these cherished memories would stay with me forever, and perhaps one day, I’d return to explore even more of this stunning region.