The island's foundation is artificial, built by locals over centuries to commemorate the spot where an icon of the Virgin Mary was found.
Local tradition requires the dropping of stones into the water around the island every July 22nd to maintain the base.
The church interior contains over 2,000 silver votive tablets donated by sailors seeking protection during their voyages.
The famous tapestry by Jacinta Kunić-Mijović incorporates her own hair, which turned from brown to grey over the two decades she worked on the piece.
Tripo Kokolja, a native of Perast, spent ten years painting the interior, covering the ceilings and walls with scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and the prophets.
The island is approximately 3,030 square meters in total area.
Beneath the church altar lies the original rock where the miraculous icon was allegedly discovered.
The church holds a significant collection of maritime artifacts, including models of ships donated by sailors as gratitude for their survival.
Despite its small size, the islet contains a museum space dedicated to the maritime and religious history of the Boka Kotorska bay.
Our Lady of the Rocks is a Roman Catholic church situated on a man-made islet in the Bay of Kotor, created by centuries of sinking old ships and depositing stones. The current structure dates back to 1630, replacing an earlier 15th-century chapel built after local fishermen discovered an icon of the Madonna and Child on a sea rock. The interior features 68 paintings by Baroque artist Tripo Kokolja, including a 10-meter-long depiction of the Death of the Virgin. The church houses a unique tapestry embroidered with gold and silver threads and human hair, created by Jacinta Kunić-Mijović over 25 years while awaiting her sailor husband’s return. The island's foundation is reinforced annually on July 22nd during a traditional event called Fasinada, where locals row boats to the island to drop more stones. It remains a pilgrimage site and a landmark of the maritime history of the Perast region. The architecture reflects a blend of Byzantine and Baroque influences, constructed primarily from stone extracted from local quarries.
The perimeter of the island offers a 360-degree view of the Perast coastline and the neighboring island of St. George.
Visit early in the morning to avoid the primary wave of cruise ship day-trippers.
Ensure you have cash for the small donation/entry fee required for the museum access.
Bring a hat and sunscreen as there is very little shade on the open islet.
Do not attempt to swim in the immediate vicinity of the island due to heavy boat traffic and narrow docking areas.
Open daily during the tourist season; limited or no boat access during the winter months due to weather conditions.
Shoulders and knees should be covered; maintain a quiet tone inside the church out of respect for its sacred status.
