Perast – a small town with a big story

Perast is a picturesque town located on the coast of Montenegro, in the heart of the Bay of Kotor, approximately twelve kilometers from Kotor. Although less popular than Kotor and Budva, this place exudes a special atmosphere. Its quiet elegance, baroque architecture, and proximity to two famous islands make it an undiscovered jewel of the Adriatic.

Unlike the bustling tourist centers, Perast offers an authentic experience of the past, almost without modern interventions, with narrow cobblestone streets, stone palaces, and breathtaking views. Once an important maritime center, today it is one of the most charming cities, and its beauty has inspired numerous artists, writers, and travel writers.

Perast, Photo: dvadrus, Depositphotos

The Perast area was inhabited since the Illyrian era, and later it was inhabited by the Romans and Byzantines. The name of the city itself comes from the Illyrian tribe Pirusta, and the first written record of Perast dates back to 1336 when it was a small fishing and maritime settlement. Thanks to its strategic location near the Veriga Strait, it was the target of great maritime powers for centuries. However, it truly flourished under the rule of the Venetian Republic, which made this town one of the most important maritime centers in the region.

The city was famous for its sailors and shipbuilders, and even Russian emperors sent their officers to train here. It had the special privilege of being the only one in Boka Bay who could fly the Venetian flag even after the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797, which speaks of its importance. After Venice, the city briefly fell under Austrian and then French rule, only to be retaken by the Austrians in 1814. Until the beginning of the 20th century, it was part of Austria-Hungary, and after World War I it belonged to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.

Church of Saint Nicholas, Perast, Photo: Givaga, Depositphotos

Today, Perast is a destination that delights history and architecture lovers. The town has more than twenty impressive Baroque palaces that once belonged to noble families. One of the most famous is the Bujović Palace, built in the 17th century, which today serves as the city museum. The main square is dominated by the Church of St. Nicholas with its tall bell tower, from which a beautiful view of the Bay of Kotor is offered.

But what makes Perast special are the islets off the coast – Sveti Đorđe (St. George) and Our Lady of the Rocks. The former is a natural island on which a Benedictine monastery from the 12th century is located, surrounded by cypress trees, while Our Lady of the Rocks is an artificial island created by piling up stones.

Legend has it that local fishermen found an icon of the Virgin Mary on a cliff, after which they began placing stones until an island was created, on which a church was later built. Inside is a rich collection of art, including paintings by the famous painter Trip Kokolja, as well as votive gifts from sailors who brought valuable items there as a sign of gratitude for happy voyages.

Our Lady of the Rocks and Saint George – Sveti Đorđe, Photo: OlgaIlinich, Depositphotos

Perast is also special in that it does not have a classic city beach, but bathers sunbathe and enter the sea directly from stone piers and piers. This further contributes to the feeling of being in a bygone era, far from the hustle and bustle of modern life. There are no large chains or commercial facilities in the town, but there are excellent restaurants where you can taste fresh seafood and local wines. In winter, the town has only a few dozen permanent residents, while in summer it comes alive thanks to visitors who come to explore its history and enjoy the view of one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

A visit to Perast means traveling through time, far from the busy tourist routes. There are no noisy clubs here, only silence, the whisper of the waves, and the spirit of past centuries. If you want to experience a truly Mediterranean ambiance, with a view of the magnificent Bay of Kotor, explore historical palaces, and feel the mysticism of the islets in the middle of the bay, Perast is a place worth visiting.

Stone towns of Vis (2): Perasti Tower is a mysterious private fortress of Vicko from Montenegro