Description of the attraction
The island of the Virgin on the Reef is a small island near the coast of the town of Perast in the bay of Kotor. This attraction is an integral part of Montenegro. The island was created artificially, for this, their old and captured ships were flooded with the help of rocks and stones.
The largest building on the island is undoubtedly the Catholic Church "Theotokos-on-the-Rif". But, in addition to the church itself, a museum, a small souvenir shop and a lighthouse were built here.
The island has its own legend, according to which it was built by sailors for many centuries. In this way, ancient vows were fulfilled. Once upon a time, this rock saved two sailors from certain death, and they found an icon of the Madonna and Child there. Historians even call the exact date when this all happened - July 22, 1452. Miraculously, the sailors who escaped decided to strengthen the rock with stones in order to create a sufficient amount of land for the construction of a church on it.
Since then, every local sailor returning home from a successful trip has thrown a stone near this cliff. This custom has survived to this day. Once a year, on July 22, when the sun sets below the horizon, local residents swim up to the island in boats and throw stones into the depths of the sea, thereby expanding the base of the island.
In the same year, when the icon of the Madonna and Child was found, a small Orthodox chapel was built on the island. And the real Catholic Church of the Virgin on the Rif was built already in 1630 by the Venetians, and the whole island was named with the same name. Almost a hundred years later, the construction project was headed by Elias Kathisis, under his leadership, the church building was enlarged, crowned with a dome, and a bell tower was added to it.
Inside the temple hang Baroque paintings by the 17th century artist Tripo Kokolya, who lived in the town of Perast. The greatest fame was brought to him by the canvas, which is 10 m long and has the name "Assumption of the Virgin". In the year 1796, a marble altar was installed here, on the creation of which the Genoese sculptor Capelano Antonio worked, and the icon "Theotokos-on-the-Reef" was installed on it, which was painted by the artist Lovrenty Dobrishevich.
The church is also famous for its famous tapestry, which was embroidered by Yasinta Kunik-Majovitz for 25 years, waiting for her lover to embark on a long and dangerous journey. As soon as the work was over, the girl went blind. Yasinta weaved the tapestry with gold and silver threads, as well as from her hair.
