Gospa od Škrpjela

The archaeological sites of Spila and Tamnica situated above Perast, dating from the Neolithic period, in their traces of ancient life reflect connections with the sea. The oldest, pre-Slavic stratums of Illyrian and Roman period in Perast give evidence of the seafaring activity of its inhabitants.  The old chroniclers of Perast state that the pre-Slavic inhabitants of Perast had guarded the entrance to the Bay and constructed a fortification on Island of St. George, during the reign of the Illiryan queen Teuta and Roman emperor Diocletian.

The oldest archival data about Perast, from the 13th century, make reference of various craftsmen in the town: stonemasons, limers, coopers, shipbuilders, etc, while in 1336 the first mention of a shipyard in Perast appeared.  By constructing smaller sailing boats on its quays and transporting merchandise in them Perast formed foundations for its economic and political independence from Kotor which was achieved in 1585 when Perast became an independent community.  From the 16th century onwards Perast was put on the nautical maps as a significant maritime centre on the Adriatic coast.

Being excellent seamen and warriors, people of Perast earned a special status for their town during the Venetian rule (1420-1797), and especially after the Turkish conquest of a part of the Bay of Boka Kotorska, at the end of 15th century, lasting until the end of the 17th century.  In that period Perast became strategically important place for defending both the bay and town of Kotor and it had a complete economic and political autonomy.  The town was governed by a captain who had both military and civil authority and was elected from among respectable citizens. Citizens of Perast could freely trade, with considerable tax exemptions, on the territory of the Venetian Republic.  Many seamen from Perast became captains of the great Venetian warships and earned the honour of guarding the standard of St. Mark on admiral ships, during the battles which Venice fought against the Turks.  The people of Perast proved their seafaring skills and courage in numerous naval battles against pirates who did not spare their town either.  The pirates from the North Africa attacked and plundered Perast, taking its citizens into slavery, in the summer of 1624, while all people who could defend the town were at sea.  The people of Perast played an important role in numerous historic events: in defending Kotor in 1539, at the battle of Lepanto in 1571, in defending Perast from the greatest Turkish attack in the famous Battle of Perast in 1654, and liberating Risan in 1684 and Herceg Novi in 1687 from the Turkish rule.

Between the two world wars Perast had a status of a municipality, a school and a museum which was founded in 1937. In the past half century Perast gained a status of a protected town on the basis of its cultural heritage.  Numerous testimonies of history, maritime and cultural past of Perast have been kept today in the collections of the Museum of Perast and treasuries of the churches of St. Nicholas and Our Lady of The Rock.

The people of Perast have been devoted to their town from earliest times, and today it is reflected in their efforts to maintain and protect its historical and cultural heritage. The first organised activities for the protection of historical and cultural heritage of Perast date back to 1928. In 1957, a “Society for the protection of cultural heritage of Perast” was established, being renewed and renamed in 1999 as a “Society of Friends of Perast”.

Marija Mihaliček, Art Historian