Churches and monasteries in Boka Bay - only accessible by boat

17 Dec, 2025

Churches and monasteries in Boka Bay - only accessible by boat

In Boka Bay there are churches and monasteries that can only be reached by boat, they are located on small islands, these sacred buildings bear witness to centuries of faith, traditions and life by the sea. The boat tour offers a unique experience that we highly recommend.

The Church of Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Skrpjela)  is the largest structure on the island, and has a museum attached to it, it is located off the coast of Perast. There is also a small gift shop close to the church and a navigation light at the northern end of the island. According to legend, the island was made over the centuries by local seamen who kept an ancient oath after finding the icon of Madonna and Child on the rock in the sea on 22 July 1452. Upon returning from each successful voyage, they laid a rock in the Bay. Over time, the island gradually emerged from the sea. The custom of throwing rocks into the sea is alive even nowadays.

St. George's Church (Sveti Djordje) is located on a small island in front of Perast and next to Our Lady of the Rocks. Around the church there are monastery buildings, a defensive wall and an old cemetery. As a valuable example of sacral architecture, it has been listed as a protected cultural property since 1957. Access to the island itself, as well as to the church and monastery, is inaccessible to the general public, with the exception of the diocese. Still you can enjoy the view from the boat.

The Church of Our Lady of Mercy (Gospa od Milosti) is located on the island of the same name that lie opposite Tivat, next to the church is monastery. The present monastery and church was bulit in 1524 by the Franciscans in honour of the Virgin Mary.  The island is only about 100 metres long and 50 metres wide and drinking water is obtained from a well.  The monastery houses one of the richest libraries in the region with rare theological and scientific works. There is still an ancient Roman altar on the island dedicated to Juno Lucina (goddess of childbirth).

Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary (Vavedenje Bogorodice) with the fortified monastery complex is located on the small island of Zanjice on the eastern side of the entrance to the Boka Bay, not far from Cape Arza. The church is believed to originate from the 15th century, and the monastery complex was renovated in 2002. The church was originally covered with stone slabs and it's interior and western facade were decorated with frescoes, traces of which were still visible in some places until the beginning of this century. The visible remains of the paintings indicated that these were extremely valuable compositions.