- Address: RKC Gospa od Škrpjela, E65, Montenegro
- Area: 3030 square meters. m
- Year of foundation: 1630
- Water area: Kotor Bay
In Montenegro there is the only artificial island of the Virgin in the whole Adriatic Sea on the reef. He has two more names: the Mother of God on the Rock or Gospa od Skrpjela (Gospa od Skrpjela).
general information
The island is located in Kotor Bay, near the town of Perast and 115 m from the island of St. George . Initially there was a small reef on this place. The island was created in 1630 by flooding captured and old ships, which were loaded with rocks. Also, every ship passing by was obliged to throw a stone there. This process lasted about 200 years, and now the total area of the plateau is 3030 square meters. m.
There is a legend that once two sailors were thrown out here during a violent storm. When they came to their senses, they discovered here the miraculous icon of the Virgin, in honor of which the Temple of the Mother of God was later erected (Crkva Gospa od Škrpjela).
Description of the shrine
The main asset here is the Roman Catholic Church. Its present form it took in 1667, when it was reconstructed after the earthquake. The temple is 11 m high and built in Byzantine style.
God's house was adorned by various architects who created real works of art. So, for example, the famous artist Tripo Kokol was engaged in painting the arches and walls for more than 10 years. The most famous of his painting, which has a length of 10 m, is the "Assumption of the Virgin".
At present, the temple is a real treasure trove, there is an impressive collection of paintings, as well as other valuable and interesting exhibits. About 65 works made with oil, and today are in a special gallery.
In 1796, a marble altar was erected in the temple, which was made by the Genoese sculptor Kapelano Antonio. Now here is the main icon of the Mother of God, made by Lovro Dobrishevich in the 15th century. In the church there is a famous canvas of the Virgin, embroidered by the local resident Yasinta Kunik-Mayjovits.
On the walls there are more than 2500 silver and gold "vowel" plates. Their local residents sacrificed the temple for fulfilling their desires and getting rid of disasters. In the church there is a place where a large number of figures, made in the form of ships, hang. These are gifts from the sailors, who are patronized by the Mother of God on the reef.
On the archipelago there is a lighthouse, a souvenir shop and a museum in which you will get acquainted with the history of the island, various artifacts, as well as tell local legends. In the church, couples in love are still crowned, and brides always leave their bouquets and wedding wreaths at the face of the Mother of God in the hope of happiness and family well-being.
The custom to throw stones at the sea near the island of the Virgin has survived to this day. Thus, the size of the archipelago expands, and the erosion of the territory stops.
Every year on July 22, the traditional holiday - Fasinada (fasinada) is held here at sunset. On the same day, a regatta takes place for the main cup of the celebration, in which sailing yachts and boats take part from all over the water area. The race is held in memory of the rich history of the Perast seafaring.
How to get to the island of the Virgin on the reef?
From Podgorica to the city of Perast, you can reach by bus or car on the road number 2, E762, M6, M2.3 or E65 / E80, the distance is 120 km. From the nearest settlements to the island, travelers will surf the sea by boat, the cost is 5 euros per person in both directions.