The Island Gospa od Skrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks) is one of two gorgeous islands in the bay of Boka Kotorska, which are situated in the sea across Perast in the Kotor municipality. The other island, which also should be visited, is the Island Sveti Djordje. That island is also called “the island of the dead captains”, because according to a legend one French soldier, by shooting from cannon towards Perast, has hit a house of his beloved girl and killed her. That legend was a motive for the master piece “The Island of the Dead” by the Switzerland painter Beklin.

Our Lady of the Rocks Island, near Kotor
Our Lady of the Rocks Island, near Kotor

The Island Gospa od Skrpjela, was made as an artificial island, which according to the stories was made by the seaman from Perast and Kotor, who on their big sail boats brought big stones. On the island there is a church. According to a legend, fisherman from Perast, after a shipwreck near the island, have found a icon of the Holy Mother of God with the Christ on a sea rock, so as the customs say they vowed to build a church on the island. They have built the church in 1630. As the island had to be maintained, the seaman continued to bring the stones, so that tradition is alive even today. The custom from the old times was recently renewed. Today it is called Fasinada from Perast and it is held at the end of the day on the 22nd of July.

Our Lady of the Rocks Island, near Kotor
Our Lady of the Rocks Island, near Kotor

You can easily go to both islands from Kotor. The visit to the islands in the summer period can be a really interesting part of your entertainment during the day. The ride to the island can be organized as an excursion by tourist barges. A part of the cruising through the bay of Boka Kotorska includes the touring of the mentioned islands. The easiest way to inform yourself about those excursions is to go to Tourist organization of Kotor, to tourist agencies, or to go by yourself in Kotor harbor, and along the Kotor shore and to make arrangements with the owners of the tourists taxi boasts.

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