The jewel of the bay is the artificial islet Our Lady of the Rocks, named after the small Roman Catholic church placed on it. The legend says that centuries ago there was nothing but the rock until two fishermen from Perast in the 15th century found an icon on it- the Virgin Mary. It was considered a sign from God, and locals vowed to build the chapel on that place and name it Our Lady of the Rocks. For 300 years they were sinking ships and throwing tons of rocks, until they finally managed to build an island which is even today in the shape of a ship. This saint became a patron saint of the seamen.
The local painter Tripo Kokolja painted the church's interior and represented biblical motifs. Among the paintings, you can see votive plates- gifts seamen left after surviving misfortunes in the sea for vowing their lives to Our Lady of the Rocks. It is the largest collection in the world. The original painting, which was found in the 15th century, stands on the main altar, situated directly on the rock where the painting was found.
In the museum, among numerous exhibits, is a special embroidery made by a local woman from Perast, who dedicated 30 years of her life waiting for her husband to come home and make that marvelous piece of art. She used gold, silver, pearls, silk, damask, and her hair to represent Our Lady of the Rocks.
