Gospa od Skrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks), Kotor (must see)

While Saint George's Island is a natural wonder, Our Lady of the Rocks is a marvel crafted by human hands, standing as one of Montenegro's premier tourist destinations. Legend has it that in 1452, astute local sailors stumbled upon an icon portraying the Virgin and Child resting on a rock protruding from the water. Viewing this discovery as a divine sign, they embarked on a mission to construct an island around the rock, painstakingly layering stones to form its foundation. By 1630, their labor bore fruit with the completion of a church atop the newly formed islet.

The original icon, attributed to the talented 15th-century local artist Lovro Dobričević, takes pride of place on the church's altar, serving as a poignant reminder of the island's miraculous origins. Throughout the ages, devout locals have expressed their reverence by adorning the church with silver votive offerings, totaling an impressive 2,500 pieces now proudly on display. Moreover, the church boasts a remarkable collection of over 60 paintings by the local artist Tripo Kokolja, a revered figure commemorated alongside two other local heroes in Perast's main square.