#Fašinada

[traveltalk-01]

The Unbelievable Story Behind Montenegro's Floating Church on the Sea!

In the stunning Bay of Kotor, Montenegro, sits the enchanting Our Lady of the Rocks Church, perched on a tiny man-made islet. This unique site isn't just a picturesque stop on the Adriatic—it's steeped in legend and a testament to faith and perseverance. But what’s the story behind this floating marvel?

A Legend Born from the Sea

The tale begins in 1452 when two local fishermen found an icon of the Virgin Mary and Child on a rock in the bay. Believing it to be a divine sign, they vowed to build a church on that very spot. But there was no land—only the sea. Undeterred, the people of nearby Perast began an extraordinary project: they created an islet by sinking old ships filled with rocks and by piling stones into the bay. This practice, known as "fašinada," became an annual event, continuing to this day as locals add rocks to the islet to keep it from eroding.

Building a Church on Faith

The original church was completed in 1630, dedicated to Our Lady of the Rocks. Over the centuries, it has been expanded and adorned with intricate artwork, including a stunning collection of 68 votive tablets. Each piece of art inside the church tells stories of gratitude, hope, and survival, reflecting the deep connection between the locals and their faith.

Visiting Tips

Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon offers serene views and fewer crowds.

Getting There: Take a short boat ride from Perast to reach the islet.

Photography: Capture the church from the water for a breathtaking perspective.

To learn more about the miraculous origins of Our Lady of the Rocks and the annual fašinada, check out this informative YouTube video: Watch Now.

Conclusion

Our Lady of the Rocks Church is not just a religious site; it’s a symbol of enduring faith and communal effort. This floating islet, born from the sea and maintained by centuries of tradition, offers a unique glimpse into Montenegro’s rich history and the deep devotion of its people.

[memobank]

Fašinada, Perast, Montenegro

[suetravelblog]

Montenegro

Tours from Dubrovnik are difficult to find in winter, so I was happy to book a Saturday  trip to Montenegro with GetYourGuide, a company that operates tours throughout Europe. It was a full non-stop day led by local company Amico Tours. I’m considering Montenegro or Sarajevo as my next stop and day trips will help me decide.

Mausoleum of Njegos Lovcen Mountain Montenegro.

We began the tour at 7…

[majskosunce]

da vas upoznam… moje najomiljenije mjesto na svijetu #fašinada

[montenegrotravel-blog]

The “ground” under the Church Gospa od Škrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks) is created by bulwark of rocks and by sinking old and seized ships loaded with rocks. According to the legend, the islet was made over many centuries by local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding the icon of Madonna and Child on the rock in the sea in 1452. After this, whenever they returned from a successful voyage, they laid a rock in the Bay and this is how the islet gradually emerged from the sea. The custom of throwing rocks into the sea is alive even today: Every year on the sunset of July 22, an event called fašinada takes place, when local residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea. Stay tuned and follow our ‘10 interesting facts about Montenegro’ cozy from your couch ;) Photo credits: @ambagesdesign #stayhome #stayhomestayinspired #montenegro #montenegrowildbeauty #dreamvacation #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #traveling #travelmontenegro #montenegro #montenegrobesttravel #monttravelers #tripandtravel #montenegrowildbeauty #balkans #balkantreasures #crnagora #ostanidoma #iovoceproci #everythingwillbeok #dreamfromhome (at Perast) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5JxWansRA/?igshid=fwudniuijn2b

[travelmvmt]

Our Lady of the Rocks is one of the two islets off the coast of Perast in the Bay of Kotor. 🇲🇪⁣ ⁣ It is an artificial island created by a bulwark of rocks thrown in by the villagers of Perast, and by the sinking of old and seized ships loaded with rocks. ⛵⁣ ⁣ According to legend, 👻 the islet was made over the centuries by local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding the icon of Madonna and the child on a rock jutting out of the sea. ⁣ ⁣ Upon returning from each successful voyage, they laid a rock in the Bay and over time, villagers joined in and gradually the islet emerged from the sea. ⛳⁣ ⁣ The custom of throwing rocks into the sea is alive even nowadays whereby every year on the sunset of July 22, the "fašinada" occurs where local residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea, slowly making the island bigger and bigger. ⭕⁣ ⁣ The main attraction on the island is the church, ⛪ which was renovated in 1722. Inside are many different paintings from Tripo Kokolja, a famous 17th-century baroque artist from Perast, along with paintings by Italian artists. ⁣ ⁣ The church also holds a famous tapestry embroidered by Jacinta Kunić-Mijović from Perast. It took her 25 years 😮 to finish it while waiting for her darling 👩‍❤️‍👨 to come from a long journey, and eventually, she became blind. 👀 ⁣ ⁣ She used 🎗️ golden and silver fibres but what makes this tapestry so famous is the fact that she also embroidered her own hair in it. 💇‍♀️⁣ ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣🚶 Join the journey @travelmvmt⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣________________________________⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ #kotor #kotormontenegro #visitkotor #instamontenegro #gomontenegro #montenegrowildbeauty #sharemontenegro #montenegroinsider #montenegrotravel #visitmontenegro #montenegro🇲🇪 #montenegrotravel #wtdmontenegro #visitmontenegro #balkantravel #travellocal #travelbalkans #natgeobalkan #bokabay #bayofkotor #kotorbay #perast #ladyoftherocks — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2o8KVBW

[janesheartus]

Traveling to Europe >> The Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

The lookout point, Kotor Bay

Bay of Kotor, Montenegro is roughly 70km from the capital of Dubrovnik in Croatia. This picturesque little village is surrounded by city walls that were once built by the Venetians to protect the Bay from invaders.

Inside the city gates is a medieval town made up of narrow cobbled alleyways lined with honey-coloured stone buildings and ancient churches.

Local produce is almost exclusively handmade and organic, make sure to stop by the locals markets during the weekends.

There are also stunning views from the top of the city walls that run up into the hills, a great place to watch the sunset and the boats come and go.

Bay of Kotor, one of the best attractions in Croatia

Kotor is a destination where you can take a walk alongside the bay and see locals living their daily life without a bunch of tourists and travel agencies offering guides and tours. The atmosphere is quiet, the lifestyle is relaxed.

Once you’ve explored and wandered through Old Town, you can take a trip out sailing in the bay, hike the 5km walls.

Out in the bay from Perast are the twin islands of St George and Our Lady of the Rocks. A legend story tells a tale of sailors who saw the Virgin Mary perched upon a rock here.

So each time they had a successful voyage they added another rock to the spot as an offering as they passed.

Eventually so many rocks were added that an island emerged and the church was built on top of it. The villagers here still add rocks once a year as part of a festival called fašinada that is popular to many European Travelers.

The man-made Island “Our lady of the Rocks”

Getting There:

The nearest airport is in Tivat, about 8km away from the bay, or there are more flights into Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Hiring a car and driving from Dubrovnik is also a great option as you will get to pass through the scenic countryside and stop in to visit some of the little towns along the way.

Once you are actually in Kotor you will walk everywhere as the village is very small, I mean tiny, it will only take you a brisk 10mins to walk from one side to the other.

Bay of Kotor, one of the best attractions in Croatia

Accommodation:

Staying in this quaint little European town is best to place yourself within the city walls as this is the most convenient, although there are many more properties located outside of the Old City itself.

Hotel Forza Mare, the luxuriously decorated 5-star boutique hotel Forza Mare is located in Dobrota, at a private beach, on the shore of the Bay of Kotor 3 km from the city centre

Boutique Hotel Hippocampus is located within the UNESCO-protected Old Town of Kotor. It offers free Wi-Fi and a restaurant with a roof terrace overlooking the Kotor City Walls.

Montenegro Hostel Kotor is located within the historic Kotor City Walls. It offers free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned private and dormitory rooms.

Find more daily Travel Tips on the WT Facebook and Instagram Pages >>WanderingTrader.

The post Traveling to Europe >> The Bay of Kotor, Montenegro appeared first on WanderingTrader.

from Updates By Jane Heart http://wanderingtrader.com/travel-blog/croatia/bay-kotor-montenegro/

[olgalajolla]

Our Lady of the Rocks island. It is an artificial island created by bulwark of rocks and by sinking old and seized ships loaded with rocks. According to legend, the islet was made over the centuries by Croat local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding the icon of Madonna and Child on the rock in the sea on July 22, 1452. Upon returning from each successful voyage, they laid a rock in the Bay. Over time, the islet gradually emerged from the sea. The custom of throwing rocks into the sea is alive even nowadays. Every year on the sunset of July 22, an event called fašinada in the local dialect, when local residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea, widening the surface of the island, takes place. #montenegro #ourladyoftherocks #island #church http://ift.tt/2kSFhlw

[savvynanatravellove-blog]

5 Must Do Things in Kotor Montenegro

Kotor Montenegró is arguably one of Europe’s hidden gems. This picturesque town nestled at the foot of Mt. Lovcen is the end point of the Bay of Kotor. It is a fairly new port of call for cruise ships sailing the Adriatic Coast.

Montenegró is a new country having gained her independence in May 2006. It’s tourist industry is just getting off the ground which is great for us tourists. We were quite surprised to find everything in town very inexpensive.

Kotor, Montenegró although new to the tourist scene is steeped in history. First settled by the ancient Romans, Kotor was founded as early as the 5th. Century B.C. It was later fortified by Emperor Justinian in the Byzantine era.

Kotor has deep maritime roots. Hailed as the center of sailing since the 12th. Century with a rich naval history Kotor helped build the communities along the country’s Adriatic coast.

In short there are many things to see and do in and around Kotor Montenegró. Here are my 5 favorite things to do in Kotor.

1. Explore the Old Town a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander the maze of cobblestone streets lined with simple buildings topped with sepia colored roofs, Romanesque churches, and quaint shops and cafés. In the Old Town you’ll find St. Triphon’s Cathedral built in 1166, the Church of St. Nicholas built in 1909, as well as other churches, monasteries, palaces, and museums.

You’ll also find the entrance to the fortification that runs up the mountain and protected the city in ancient times. While in the Old Town you might be lucky enough to catch a performance of Montenegrin fold dancers. They preform in the square right in front of the main gate into town. Old Town is filled with small squares and alleys where you’ll find restaurants and cafés. Grab a table and enjoy a glass of wine or better yet a meal. Kotor is known for great fresh seafood.

Take a cruise along Boka Bay. Boka Kotorska or Boka (Kotor) Bay is one of the most indented portions of the Adriatic Seas. Although it is widely known as Europe’s southern most fjord it’s actually a submerged river canyon. Picturesque towns line the coasts of the bay as it meanders from the entrance from the Adriatic to its end in Kotor. You can hop on one of the tourist boats that ply the day all day long, or hire a private boat. Which ever way you choose this scenic boat ride is a definite must!

Visit the Our Lady of the Rocks Island. The church is located in Boka Bay on a man made island of the same name. It is one of the 2 islands in the bay, the other is St. George. Legend has it that the islet was built over the centuries by local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding the icon of Madonna and Child on the rock in the sea on July 22, 1452. When the seamen returned from each successful voyage, they laid a rock in the Bay. Over time the island was built. The custom of throwing rocks into the sea is alive even nowadays. Every year on the sunset of July 22, an event called fašinada in the local dialect, when local residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea, widening the surface of the island, takes place.

2. The islet is home to Our Lady of the Rocks Catholic church which houses a museum. The church display 68 paintings by Tripo Kokolja, a famous 17th-century baroque artist from Perast and a collection of silver votives and paintings by other Italian artists. The museum displays many artifacts, paintings, and tapestries.

The most famous tapestry was embroidered by Jacinta Kuni?-Mijovi? from Perast. She embroidered the tapestry while waiting for her husband to return from a long sea voyage. She used gold and silver thread as well as her own hair. It took her 25 years to finish this intricate tapestry; you can see the hair she used turn from blond to white.

Visit the town of Perast. Perast is a well preserved Baroque city on Boka Bay. It flourished in the 1700’s due to its busy shipyards. It is one of the loveliest towns on Boka Bay. Its narrow streets and Baroque palaces reflect its inhabitants wealth and luxurious lifestyle in days gone by. Try the fried stuffed olives, they’re delightful!

Take a drive to Budva. Budva is a fortified city on the Adriatic coast. It’s 2500 years old making it one of the oldest towns along this coast. Today it’s know for its Old Town as well as its sandy beaches and night clubs some of which are located just outside the town’s ancient walls. Budva is a center of Montenegrin tourism and is known as Budva Riviera. It is known has having some of the best beaches on the Adriatic coast and stretches out from the city.

Unlike Kotor, Budva has a more modern feel. Historical sites are contained within the walled Old Town. The surrounding areas are sprouting with new hotels, condos, shops, restaurants, and bars. Located on a wide swatch of sand is Jaz Beach. It serves as a venue for concerts and festivals. While in Budva do sit down at one of the restaurants and try an order of Palacinke. The Montenegrin version of pancakes or crepes. They can be either sweet or savory filled with anything from jam to ham, cheese, veggies, and even tuna.

In Kotor itself there is a public bus that services the town and the coastal villages around the coast. Tourist can choose to take the hop on – hop off bus that runs all day from Kotor to Risan with stops in Perast and Bajova Kula. Tickets cost €20 and includes tickets for the Roman Mosaics in the town of Risan, tickets for the Museum of Old Town Perast, and a guided walking tour of Kotor’s Old Town.

But since most everything around Kotor centers around the bay the easiest way to get around is by boat. You can take one of the boat tours sold around town or hire a private boat and explore the bay at your leisure.

Ready to plan your trip to Kotor Montenegro? Let Savvy Nana Travel help you plan your dream vacation! I specialize in cruises and custom itineraries, what ever your interest and your budget I’m sure I can help you plan the perfect vacation.

[zillowcondo]

Curious Traveler Visits The Floating Church of Montenegro

Just off the coast of Montenegro, in the winding Bay of Kotor off the Adriatic Sea, near the medieval towns of Perast and Kotor, you’ll see something that will make you check your eyeglass prescription. Feel free to confirm with your fellow travelers first if you must, but yes, that is in fact a church floating out there in the middle of the water.

Well, sort of.

This is ‘Our Lady of the Rock’ Church, or ‘Gospa od Skrpjela’ if you want to sound in-the-know. Legend has it that on July 22, 1452, two fisherman saw something in the middle of the bay. They paddled closer, and claimed to see a vision of Madonna and Child on a rock. They made a vow then and there to erect a church in that very spot to honor the icon. But how to build a church on top of the water? Throw rocks at it, of course.

So, over the centuries, every time a ship returned safely from a voyage, the townsfolk and fishermen honored the oath and added another rock. Eventually, by 1630, these rocks had created enough of an islet to support a tiny Orthodox chapel. And what a beautiful little blue-domed chapel it is.

While small in size, its interior impresses as much as any massive European Cathedral. There’s an incredible, intricate marble altar, a stunning painted ceiling, and works by Venetian painter Tripo Kokolja, known as the ‘Michelangelo of Montenegro’. Attached is a small museum, where you can see a famous tapestry that took the wife of a sailor more than 25 years to create, as she waited for her husband to come home. She used silk, gold and silver threads and her own hair. Yes, I said hair.

Back outside, take time to appreciate this little divinely-inspired, man-made islet you stand upon. If you’re lucky enough to visit here on July 22nd, you can witness Fašinada, where locals form a Regatta of sorts, decorating their boats in flowers, and sail out to the islet and throw rocks at sunset. Nearly 600 years later, and they’re still making sure ‘Our Lady’ stays afloat.

 Tips:  

Don’t Go Without Studying First:

If you want to appreciate what you see, I always do a little (painless) homework first. Great place to start: Visit Montenegro.

Don’t Worry About Getting There:

The museum’s curator told me that the Perast townsfolk used to swim to ‘Our Lady of the Rock’ for services. But I don’t recommend it. Snorkels and flippers might be frowned upon at church.

Most visitors to Kotor & Perast come by cruise ship, so arrangements can easily be made. If you’re on your own, it’s very easy to book a private boat for the 15-minute ride from Perast to the church. Cost is very reasonable. Try: Kotor Bay Tours

Don’t Forget to Also See:

After you visit ‘Our Lady’, take a short but veerrryyy windy drive (pack your Dramamine or tighten up that psi band) to the UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient city of Kotor. Within its fortified walls, its city streets were designed in a maze pattern to confuse the bad guys. Stick with your guide and you’ll be fine. After you wander those windy cobblestone streets, if you’re up for even more cardio, tackle the 1350 Steps up to Kotor’s Castle of San Giovanni, for a birds-eye view of Old Town. Which brings us to …

Don’t Forget Your:

1 – Sensible walking shoes for those 1350 steps.

2 – Your camera. The views of the bay and villages here are stunning.

3 – The aforementioned Dramamine or psi bands, for all the boats and windy roads, if you’re a fragile traveler like me.

Don’t Stay Somewhere Ordinary:

In medieval times, the village of Perast was built up the side of the mountain, and fortunately for us today, many of these old buildings are now B & Bs, offering bright views across the Bay and of ‘Our Lady of the Rocks’. So don’t stay far out of town in a hotel with no character. Try: Palace Jelena. Bonus: Your boat is right outside your front door. J

 The post Curious Traveler Visits The Floating Church of Montenegro appeared first on Pursuitist.

Curious Traveler Visits The Floating Church of Montenegro published first on http://ift.tt/2pewpEF

[penreadygallery]

Branko Maljevic shared this great Olympus Show & Tell story with us captured with his Olympus E-510:  In Perast in Montenegro, Europe,every year on July 22, at sunset there is an event called fašinada, when local residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea, extending and enhancing the surface of the small artificial island with a church which was built several centuries ago. Lately, the younger generations have introduced a little more fun besides traditional ceremonies.More information here.