Gospa od Škrpjela: The Island That People Built

#hellohalloween In the middle of Boka Kotorska Bay, opposite Perast, there's a tiny island with a blue church dome. It looks as if it emerged from the sea, but it's no miracle of nature—it was created by humans. Stone by stone, boat by boat. Gospa od Škrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks) island appeared in the 15th century. According to legend, sailors found an icon of the Virgin Mary on a rock and began piling earth and stones around it. This is how a church, standing right in the middle of the water, was created. Today, boats from Perast arrive here. On the island is a church with a turquoise dome, a seafood museum, and a bell that rings over the bay. Everything around is picture-perfect: mountains, sun, sea, and a white dome reflected in the waves. 📍 Location: opposite the town of Perast, Boka Kotorska Bay, Montenegro. 🕐 When to go: May through October – in summer, boats leave every few minutes; in spring and fall, it's quieter and calmer. ⸻ How to get to the island (current as of 2025) 🛥️ From Perast: Boats depart from the pier every 10-15 minutes, and the journey takes 5-10 minutes. A roundtrip ticket costs about €5. 🚗 From Kotor: Take the Blue Line bus (€2-3, ~20 minutes) or taxi (€15-20) to Perast. Then transfer to the boat at the pier. 🎟️ Entrance to the church and museum: €2-3. You can climb the bell tower and see the bay from above. 💡 Excursions: Sea tours from Kotor include the island, the Blue Cave, and Perast. Prices range from €15–20 per person.