The ancient city of Perast (Montenegro) is located on the coast of the Boka Kotor Bay (Adriatic Sea). Only a few kilometers separate it from the busy Kotor. The city has an ancient and fascinating history. It is first mentioned in written annals dating from 1326. Researchers believe that its first inhabitants were pirates. It received its name in honor of the pirusts - the Illyrian tribe. Traces of Neolithic culture were discovered in the ancient Spila cave above Perast.
Perast (Montenegro) attractions
The main part of the city's memorable places is located on the embankment, which bears the name of the navigator Marko Martinovich. The original baroque houses and palazzo, which belonged to the Martinovich family and Admiral Matias Zmaevich, give the city an extraordinary charm. Nowadays, they perform an exclusively aesthetic function. They remind of the former greatness and power of the city.
Bujovic Palace
Unlike them, this structure is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. It was built of stone in 1687. Today it houses the museum of the city of Perast. Among its exhibits are a solid collection of weapons, a collection of ancient manuscripts and manuscripts, ancient photographs and paintings, sea charts, ship diaries and costumes of past eras.
Monument to the Sea Glory of Perast
This Admiral Square is located in the very center of the city. It is dedicated to Matias Zmaevich. Over Perast, on a mountain, half-ruined bastions of the fortress of the Holy Cross rise. Once they did an excellent job with a difficult task - a reflection of the attacks of the Ottomans.
To this day, of the ten cardak towers, which during the siege served as a refuge for the townspeople, only the Matusevich’s tower has survived. The 55-meter bell tower is visible from anywhere in the city. It adjoins the main church - the church of St. Nicholas. From the top of the bell tower offers a magnificent view of the bay.
Island of st george
The city of Perast (Montenegro) impresses guests with its beautiful nature. As a rule, all tourists who come here tend to get to this mysterious island. In ancient times there was an abbey and many temples. Over time, the complex fell into decay, and citizens began to bury on this land. Now it is often called the island of the Dead. This is a very interesting mystical place, getting here is not so easy - the island is closed to the public.
Virgin Island
The city of Perast (Montenegro) is famous for its artificial island and the Church of the Virgin, located on it. The temple was built in 1630.
According to an ancient legend, during a severe storm, two sailors managed to escape on a rock. To their great surprise, they found here the icon of the Mother of God. In honor of their salvation, they decided to build a church on this site.
To create an artificial island, old and captured ships were used, which were drowned using rocks and stones. They say that since then there is a custom - every sailor who returns home must throw a stone near the rock. Today, custom has become a local holiday. Every year on July 22, citizens swim in boats to the island and throw stones at the deep sea. The creation of the island and the construction of the church took almost two centuries.
Church of the Virgin
The city of Perast (Montenegro), a photo of which is increasingly appearing in travel agency brochures, attracts lovers to combine beach vacations with sightseeing.
The Church of the Virgin is active today. Here every Saturday there is a wedding. Over the icon of the Mother of God, the entire wall is hung with wedding bouquets and wreaths that brides give to the Holy Virgin on the happiest day of their life. Silver incense sticks hung on the walls of the church, made in the form of ships that were presented to the church by sailors upon their return from sailing.
The painter Tripo Kokol, who worked in the Baroque style, painted the temple for ten years, so the church resembles a gallery. At the end of the 18th century, a marble altar was installed in it, and on it the icon “Theotokos on Rifa”. If you happen to be here, go behind the altar, find a small hole on the back wall. There is a belief that if you put your hand in it and make a wish, it will certainly come true.
Bujovici Palace
Everyone who has already visited Perast (Montenegro), believe that the most beautiful building in the city is the Bujovici Palace. It is built of stone ruined walls of the city of Herceg Novi. It was laid in 1694. This date is indicated on stone signs located on the facade of the palace. It is interesting that a palace was built in honor of the national hero Vitsko Buyovic during the period of the Venetian Republic. The author of the project was the Venetian architect Giovanni Fontana. Above the entrance to the palace, the generic coat of arms of Bujovici has been preserved.
Today there is a museum with a large collection of ship models, weapons, suits, nautical charts.
Beaches
Fans of swimming in the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea and sunbathing under the gentle sun also visit Perast (Montenegro). The beaches of the city are located in the old area with Baroque architecture. It is difficult to call them beaches in the usual sense of the word. They are concrete slabs, which may not be the best place, but are quite suitable for a peaceful vacation.
From here you can admire beautiful views of the Wenge Strait and the picturesque islands. There are catering establishments on the shore, there is a parking lot. From the beach pier you can go on an excursion to the island of the Virgin.
Where to stay?
The small town of Perast (Montenegro), the photo of which you see in this article, seems to have grown into rocks. There are not as many hotels as in other resorts in the country. Nevertheless, in the vicinity of Perast it is easy to find accommodation that meets the requirements of the most sophisticated tourists - villas by the sea, comfortable hotels, comfortable apartments, in a word, housing, which Montenegro is famous for. Perast, whose hotels hospitably open their doors at any time of the year, is distinguished by special hospitality. Guests are always welcome here.
Apartment David
This place is very popular. The apartments are located in a palace built in the 16th century. This building is one of seventeen palaces protected by UNESCO. It is only 20 meters from the sea, and 200 meters from the city beach. It offers cozy air-conditioned rooms with satellite and cable TV and free Wi-Fi.
It also has an equipped kitchen with electric stove, oven, fridge, microwave and dishwasher. Therefore, everyone can cook their favorite dishes.
Near David Apartments there is a boat station and two restaurants where you can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine.
Conte Hotel & Restaurant 4 *
The popular hotel-restaurant Conte is located on the sea coast, in the square of the city of Perast (Montenegro). It offers cozy, stylishly decorated apartments and suites. All rooms have Wi-Fi (free). At the restaurant, guests can enjoy delicious seafood and fish dishes.
All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and satellite TV. Friendly staff at the reception will help you to comfortably stay in your room, advise you to contact the tour desk located here, where you can arrange a tour.
Villa venezia
The apartment complex is located fifty meters from the sea and four hundred meters from the city center. All accommodation units are air-conditioned and have furnished terraces with sea views.
The beach is two hundred meters from the building. Nearby there is a restaurant and bar, a grocery store.
Dyonis peras
These apartments are located almost on the beach (10 meters from the beach). They are housed in a stone house of the XVII century. It offers a seating area with a TV and DVD player. There is a fully equipped kitchen and two bathrooms.
Dyonis Peras is close to bars and restaurants. The complex has a small wine cellar.
Reviews
Tourists who visited Perast (Montenegro) leave praise for this tiny town. He is so beautiful that it is impossible to forget him. The island of the Virgin, created by human hands, is impressive. Each building is of architectural value. It is especially nice to feel the goodwill and hospitality of the locals.
Some tourists say that the beaches of Perast were a little disappointing, but even they could not spoil the wonderful impression of the trip.