Montenegro. Boat trips. Perast (part 1)

Getting to know the beauties of the Bay of Kotor. The islands "The Virgin on the Reef" and "St. George".

The Virgin on the Reef (Gospa od Skrpjela) is an artificial island created by sinking old and captured ships. It is located off the coast of the city of Perast in the Bay of Kotor. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest building on the island, besides which there is also a museum, a small gift shop and a lighthouse.
According to legend, the island was made over the centuries by sailors, who thus fulfilled ancient oaths after two sailors escaped on a rock and found an icon of the Madonna and Child there. It is believed that this happened on July 22, 1452. The rescued sailors decided to strengthen the rock with stones in order to create an island and build a church on it.

St. George's Island (Sveti Dordje) - or as it is also called - "the island of the dead". The island has a natural origin and is located near the city of Perast, opposite the island of the Virgin on the Reef.
There is an ancient abbey on the island, which was founded in honor of St. George in the IX century. The first mention of it was only in 1166, but the architecture of the building indicates an earlier time of construction.
The island of the Dead got its name for the fact that for several centuries burials of famous Perast captains and rich local residents were conducted on it. Each tombstone was decorated with a unique heraldic emblem.
Today, St. George's Island is owned by the Catholic Church, and there is a holiday home for priests on it. This is a closed area and official visits are prohibited.