Montenegro is a lost corner of the earth surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. It is a group of islands on which there are dozens of monasteries and ancient attractions, as well as lakes, national parks. Resting here is an inexpensive pleasure, but it allows you to enjoy nature, as well as immerse yourself in the atmosphere of antiquity to the fullest.
In this article we will tell you more about the popular islands of Montenegro and their attractions.
Virgin of the Reef
Another name for the island Madame od Skrpjela. It is a small island in the bay of Kotor, opposite the place where the coastal city of Perast is located. It is a significant attraction of Montenegro. By its nature, the island of the Virgin is artificial - ships were deliberately flooded with stones to create it.
The largest building on island land is the Catholic Church of the same name Virgin of the Reef. In addition, there is a museum, a lighthouse, as well as a souvenir shop.
According to an old legend, the island was built by the hands of local sailors - it took them more than a hundred years to do this. So, it was the rock that saved the two sailors from imminent death. Here they later discovered historical value (according to historians, it happened on July 22, 1452) - the icon "Madonna and Child". Those who believed in a miracle, the sailors with even greater desire began to strengthen the rock in order to increase the scale of land for future temple buildings.
After this story, every sailor sailing home threw a stone to this rock - so this action turned into a custom that has survived to our times.
Every year, on July 22, at sunset, local residents on water transport head to the land of the Virgin - however, stones are thrown into the water, thus expanding the borders of the island part.
In 1452, a small Orthodox church was built on the site of the found relic, and already in 1630 the arrived Venetians erected a true Catholic church under the name Virgin of the Reef. Soon this part of the earth began to bear the same name. A little later, the church was supplemented with domes and a bell tower.
If you go inside the temple, you can see the baroque paintings of a local 17th-century artist Tripo Kokol. The most popular piece is considered to be a 10-meter canvas - The Assumption of the Virgin.
In addition, the temple has a beautiful marble altar, installed by the Genoese sculptor Capelano Antonio. At the moment, it houses the icon of the Virgin Mary on the Riff by the artist Lovrenty Dobrishevich.
One cannot but mention the famous tapestry; it took as long as 25 years to create it (author - Jasinta Kunik-Majovic). For weaving, the girl used not only threads of gold and silver, but also her own hair.
St. George (Isle of the Dead)
This island is located near the main city of Perast (Boka Kotor Bay), from a geographical point of view - the origin is natural.
The city is notable for the fact that once there was a sailing school, where the noble sons comprehended the maritime business by decree of Peter I. In addition, tourists are attracted by the beautiful cypress grove.
Another significant place on the island of St. George is the church cemetery. The famous captains of Perast are buried here. So, tombstones are decorated with rare heraldic emblems.
Since the time of construction, paintings of the XIII-XIV centuries have been hanging on the walls, a little later the rectors of the church decorated the walls with paintings of the famous Kotor painter Lovrenty Dobrishevich.
The Isle of the Dead attracts tourists with a story of tragic love. As an old legend says, a French soldier fired a cannon in the direction of the city of Perast. By chance, the shell hit the lover's house - she died, and he wished to lie with her in the coffin.
According to official figures, the Isle of the Dead is considered closed, but curious tourists do not miss the chance to touch the ancient walls, as well as take a walk around the cemetery.
Mikholsk Prevlaka (Island of Flowers)
According to official figures, it is considered a peninsula. Its second name - Island of Flowers - received for the abundant flowering of plants. In past centuries there was a monastery St. Michael the Archangel.
Prevlaka Island is located in Tivat Bay. Nearby there is an existing airport, which can only be reached through the bridge by car.
Before the war, on the Montenegrin territory there were many gardens in which flowers, palm trees, olive trees grew. Unfortunately, hostilities adversely affected the number of gardens. However, to this day a beautiful beach with a part of flowering plants has been preserved.
The second attraction is the ruins of the monastery of Mikholsk Prevlaka (XVI century), St. Archangel Michael (XV century). The shrines were destroyed by the Venetians with the help of a planned poisoning of the inhabitants. Only in the XIX century. the temple was restored. The new Trinity Church allows tourists to join the relics of the murdered monks (there were 70 of them).
Other popular places
Among the other islands of Montenegro, it is worth highlighting the fortress island of Mamula, located next to the popular resort of Duke Novi. In addition to the picturesque beauty, this place attracts another attraction. During the war, there was a prison (founder - Austrian general Lazar Mamula). You can get to this place by boat.
A popular place for visiting tourists in Montenegro is Grmozur fortress, located on the island of the same name. It is a rare military historical object since the confrontation between Montenegrin and Turkish soldiers. A fortress-prison (1840) was built on the lands captured by the Turks.
The islands of Montenegro are ancient, beautiful, keeping many legends and stories that attract tourists from all over the world. Touch the shrines and rocks, walk through the places of structures destroyed during the war, admire the amazing scenery, in the end, listen to the sound of the sea - you will remember for a long time in Montenegro.
An overview of one of the islands of Montenegro, see below.
