An Artificial Island & Mussels by Boka Bay

Before leaving the Adriatic Sea, we visited another country that was formerly part of Yugoslavia - Montenegro. It's one of the least populous countries in Europe, having around 600,000 people (similar to the state of Wyoming). It's known for its rugged mountains, medieval villages, and narrow beaches along its coastline. In fact, 60% to 70% of the country is covered by mountains.

Our journey to Kotor followed a winding path on crystal clear smooth waters from the Adriatic Sea all the way to there. This ancient walled town, serving as both a seaport and resort, sits at the southern tip of Kotor Bay. The bay, locally known as Boka, is one of four that make up the larger Gulf of Kotor along Montenegro's Adriatic coast. Nestled at the base of the imposing Lovćen massif, Kotor's setting is dramatic. Interestingly, this mountain range inspired Montenegro's name, which translates to "black mountain" - a reference to its dark appearance when it was densely forested.

Our Lady of the Rock is one of the two islands off the coast of Perast in Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. It is an artificial island created by bulwark of rocks and by sinking old and seized ships loaded with rocks. The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rocks is the only building on the islet.

According to legend, the islet was made over the centuries by the 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, when local residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea, widening the surface of the island, takes place.

The first known church was built on the island in 1452 and it was Serbian Orthodox. It was taken over by Roman Catholics and in 1632 the present Church of Our Lady of the Rocks was built. It was upgraded in 1722. The church contains 68 paintings by a famous 17th-century baroque artist from the nearby city of Perast. His most important painting, thirty feet long, is The Death of the Virgin.

The ceiling is an impressive work of art with beautiful oil painting decorating the entire surface. There were other paintings by Italian artists, including a devotional painting (circa 1452) of Our Lady of the Rocks, by Lovro Dobričević of Kotor. Among its treasures is a remarkable assortment of silver votive tablets, a common feature in churches with maritime connections. These tablets, offered by worshippers seeking protection or expressing gratitude, often portray scenes of ships battling storms or other seafaring dangers. In this church, they serve as a visual chronicle, narrating tales of sailors' narrow escapes and their thankfulness for safe journeys across the seas.

After returning to shore, we sought a break from the midday heat at a local café on the water's edge. There, we savored a crisp local beer and indulged in the day's special: the area's renowned mussels. As we relaxed, we took in the bustling activity on the nearby waters and admired the quaint charm of the surrounding town.

The drive back to the dock gave us the opportunity to view the fortification system includes walls, gates, bastions, and a fortress near Kotor. The walls extend for 2.8 miles and reach heights of up to 65 feet in some places. The first fortifications were built during the 6th century, but most of the existing structure dates from the Venetian period (15th-18th centuries). The walls were continuously expanded and reinforced over the centuries to protect the strategically important town on this fjord-like inlet.

Montenegro's breathtaking landscapes and charming coastal towns made for a picture-perfect scene. It was clear why this Balkan gem is rapidly gaining popularity among travelers such as us.