Things to see and do Perast (Пераст)

It was in the 17th century that Perast, with its strong navy, built the most beautiful palaces of its enterprising captains. The village has a dozen of them, scattered along the waterfront and hillsides. Bujović Palace houses the museum: Built in 1694 by brothers Ivan and Marko Bujović, it is distinguished by a balustrade decorated with two lions. A plaque indicates the house where Admiral Matija Zmajević (Russian fleet commander) was born. His uncle, Archbishop Andrija Zmajević, had his palace built on St. Elijah's Hill, now in ruins.

This small Benedictine monastery was built on a natural reef 100 metres from the artificial islet of Gospa od Škrpjela. First mentioned in a document from 1166, it is believed to have been inhabited by Benedictines in the 9th century. The original building could not be preserved because it was constantly under attack. In addition, it suffered an earthquake in 1667 in which the ceiling and apse of the church were destroyed. A new church was rebuilt in the 17th century.

Located in the middle of the village, facing the sea, this church was designed by the Italian Giuseppe Beati in the 17th century. Never completed, it is distinguished by its imposing 55 m high belfry, the highest in the Bay of Kotor. Ivan Scarpe began the construction of this imposing belfry with a series of loggias spread over five floors. An inscription above its entrance door commemorates the defeat of the Turks in 1657: " Christianae Reipublicae Triumphanti ".

Behind the church of St. Nicholas there is a small museum. It traces the turbulent history of Perast on two floors. Paintings depict the exploits of local sailors, and there are pieces of Roman and Greek amphorae found in the depths of the bay, ceramic shards and weapons dating back to 3,500 BC found in the Spila cave above Perast. Among the museum's treasures is the finely embroidered icon of Jacinta Kunić.