Region: South Adriatic
| Position: 42.485, 18.703333 | Adriatic Sea / Jadransko more
42°29'.1N 18°42'.2E Charts BA 1582, MK 27, lmray M27 The small town of Perast was once an important maritime centre, whose sea captains sailed the world and fought for the Venetians. The wealthy sea captains and merchants built themselves fine palaces. There are 19 in the town, most of them built in the style of the baroque. The town's importance a
General
42°29'.1N 18°42'.2E Charts BA 1582, MK 27, lmray M27 The small town of Perast was once an important maritime centre, whose sea captains sailed the world and fought for the Venetians. The wealthy sea captains and merchants built themselves fine palaces. There are 19 in the town, most of them built in the style of the baroque. The town's importance and wealth have declined, but it now attracts tourists. The town quay is exposed, but it is possible to tie up here and explore the town. The two islands lying to the W of Perast are well worth visiting, but they do not provide a suitable overnight berth.
Approach
Perast lies NE of the Prolaz Verige, the narrow straits leading into Kotorski Zaljev from Tivatski Zaljev. The twin islands of 0. Gospa od Skrpjela and 0. Sv. Djordje lie to the W of Perast. The quay at Perast is close to the church and the tall belfry/clock tower. The belfries of the two churches, one on each island, are conspicuous. There is deep water around the Otoci, Gospa od Skrpjela within the Boka Kotorska, approached from NW. Perast can be seen in the background Kot or islands, with a shallower patch with just 7m over it N of 0. Gospa od Skrpjela. There is 4m depth between the islands.
The quay is exposed to winds from all directions except NE. The quay is sheltered from W and NW.
Facilities
One shop only. Post Office. Several restaurants. Town museum in the Bujovic Palace. Boat trips to the off-lying islands. Bus service. one. There is a small entrance fee to the museum.
History
The area of Perast has been inhabited since Neolithic times, and was possibly the site of a Roman fort. In later centuries it was close to the frontier between Turkish and Venetian held territory, and was attacked on several occasions by the Turks. Unlike Koror it was never surrounded by town walls, but relied for its defence on the castle up above the town, and a series of towers on the outskirts or within the town. The valour of the men of Perast was recognised by giving them the honour of guarding the Venetian standard in battle. Ships and men from Perast were present at the Battle of Lepanto in which the Turkish navy was defeated. There was a famous nautical school in Perast, founded in the sixteenth century, which had such a high reputation that Peter the Great of Russia sent a number of young nobles there when he was trying to build up the Russian navy. www.perast.com THE ISLANDS OFF PERAST 0. Gospa od Skrpjela 42°29'.2N 18°41 '.6E 0. Sveti Djordje 42°29'.1N 18°41'.7E Charts BA 1582, M27, lmray M27 The island of Gospa od Skrpjela is artificial. It was created by the people of Perast dropping stones on a reef, or, according to some sources, by their filling captured pirate ships with stones and sinking these on the reef. This tradition started after the discovery on a rock of an icon of the Virgin in 1452 and is commemorated every year on 22nd July by the people of Perast going out to the islands and dropping a stone on the reef. Construction of the church began in 1630. The interior of the church is richly decorated with paintings and silver votive plaques. The plaques and paintings in the museum depict ships and seafaring scenes. The island of Sveti Djordje was the site of a Benedictine abbey, which was the most important abbey in the Boka Kotorska, owning land at Morinj, Risan, Perast and Prcanj. The abbey was twice sacked and destroyed by the Turks. It has also been damaged by earthquakes. Today Sv. Djordje is surrounded by a high wall, which encloses a church, cemetery and cypress trees. Kotor
Berth
Tie up at the quay on 0. Gospa od Skrpjela to visit the church and museum. If a tripping boat comes along it will be necessary to move the yacht and tie up again outside of the tripping boat.
Adriatic Navigation Guide Images for Pera st
Adriatic Navigation Guide images and captions provide additional visual reference for this navigation location.
Otoči, Gospa od Skrpjela within the Boka Kotorska, approached from NW. Perast can be seen in the background
