Off the village of Perast are two islands. Sveti Dorde, and Gospa od Skrpjela. The later is a man made island. The island was formed after one of the two Mortesic brothers was cured from severe illness. They kept seeing a rock appear at a sight where they found a painting of "the lady of Perast" They had a vision that a shrine was to be build at the very spot where the picture was found. So they set out (I am sure with the help of the villagers) to make a man made island at this spot by taking old useless fishing boats and sinking them by filling them full of rocks. The shrine was build and the painting of "the Lady of the rock" is displayed above the altar at the exact location where the painting was found.
This dates back to July 22 1452. To date on the 22de of July a procession of local fishing boats, lead by dignitaries, are tied together, decorated with palm leaves, and rowed over to the island where each boat deposit their cargo of several rocks.
We were fortunate enough to witness this event this year, along with several other boats anchored near by .
Anchored off the Island of
Gospa od Skrpjela awaiting the procession of row boats
You can see the Island and the Church in the back ground
This is the first boat with dignitaries dressed in traditional costume.
The procession of row boats carrying rocks to the island.
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