Located on the northern shore of the bay of Kotor, the town of Perast is home to fewer 400 people. Despite its modest population, Perast once enjoyed an international reputation for its seafaring prowess. Its wealth and prestige during four centuries of Venetian rule can still be seen in the walls of the Renaissance and Baroque palaces lining the waterfront. Read on to discover Perasts history and heritage and the best way to experience what it has to offer.A Quick History of PerastThe Fort of the Holy Cross from the Belltower of the Church of St Nicholas. Photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenThe area around Perast was first settled in pre-history, and the town owes its name to the Pirusti, an Illyrian tribe who lived on the Adriatic coast prior to the arrival of the Romans. Perast is first recorded as a small village with a shipyard in 1336, during the period of Serbian rule. At the time Perast itself was effectively a colony of Kotor, which controlled the Monastery of St George on an nearby island.In 1420, the Republic of Venice assumed control of the Bay of Kotor to defend the region from advancing Ottoman forces. Perast attained greater economic and strategic significance after 1482, when the Ottomans successfully occupied the coast from Herceg Novi to Risan.The Ottoman threat prompted the local authorities to fortify Perast, although they could not afford to build a defensive wall around the whole town. In 1570, the Venetians built the Fort of the Holy Cross on the mountainside overlooking the town. Later on, ten towers were erected within the town to serve as defensive strongpoints in the event of an enemy attack.In 1624, a force of 2,000 Barbary pirates launched the Great Raid of Perast, devastating the local community by abducting over 400 people. Perast refused to submit and the remaining citizens raised funds to ransom their compatriots by selling property.The Church of St Nicholas and Belltower. Photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenThirty years later, Perasts defenders achieved an extraordinary military success. During this period, Perast became a base for hajduks, local bandits who gained a reputation for ferocity in battle by leading constant raids into Ottoman territory. In May 1654, an Ottoman force of more than 6,000 men descended upon Perast by land.The defenders consisted of around 50 Venetian soldiers, supported by an unknown number of hajduks possibly in the hundreds. While the civilian population sheltered in the fortress and the towers, the defenders led brave attacks against the Ottomans, killing dozens of Ottoman troops including their commander Mehmed Rizvanbegovi, and wounding several hundred more. The poet and theologian Andrija Zmajevi later wrote a poem entitled the Battle of Perast to commemorate the defense of his hometown.Perasts strategic importance and the commercial and military prowess of its sailors enabled the leading families of the town (the so-called twelve casadas) to build over a dozen palaces during the 17th and 18th centuries. The church of St Nicholas was built in 1616, while a belltower was commissioned by Andrija Zmajevi in 1691. Although unfinished, the church remains one of the towns most impressive and attractive structures.Before long, the town went into decline after the fall of Venice in 1797. Like the neighboring towns in the Bay of Kotor, Perast experienced brief periods of Austrian, Russian, and French rule before returning to Austrian control in the 19th century. Following World War I the town became part of Yugoslavia in its various guises until Montenegrin independence in 2006.Maritime HeritageBust of Matija Zmajevi, the Perast naval officer who became a Russian admiral. Photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenPerasts rich maritime heritage can be found throughout the town. Following the towns exploits in the victory over the Ottomans in 1654, that officers from Perast had the honor of protecting the standard of St Mark in the Venetian fleet.Perasts maritime prowess also reached the court of Peter the Great in Russia. In 1698, the Russian ambassador Pyotr Tolstoy arrived in Perast and left an account of the towns military reputation. Within a few years, Tsar Peter sent 16 cadets from the Russian nobility to study with Captain Marko Martinovi, an accomplished sailor, mathematician, and shipwright who founded a renowned navigation school.In 1712, the Perast naval officer Matija Zmajevi arrived in St Petersburg. He had been forced to leave his hometown in 1709 after being involved in the murder of his fellow naval captain Vicko Bujovi. Zmajevi was soon given command of a ship in the Great Northern War and served as a senior commander during Russias victory over the Swedish fleet at the Battle of Gangut in 1714. Although the Venetian Republic restored Zmajevis properties to him after Tsar Peters intervention, Zmajevi remained in Russia and was later promoted to vice-admiral.Perasts IslandsThe Church of Our Lady of the Rocks. Photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenPerast is closely associated with the island of St George, around 800 meters off the coast. The only natural island in the Bay of Kotor, it was home to a Benedictine monastery and a large cemetery where members of Perasts leading families were buried.The adjacent island of Our Lady of the Rocks owes its existence to Perasts accomplished seamen. According to legend, a returning sailor found an icon of the Madonna and Child was found on a rock in the sea on July 22, 1452. He brought the icon home but could not find it in the morning. After going back to sea, he discovered that the icon had reappeared on the very same rock.From that date onwards, returning sailors have celebrated their safe return by placing a rock at the same spot as an offering to the Virgin Mary. Over time, an artificial island was formed, large enough to build a church to house the icon. The tradition continues to be honored in the fainada festival, which takes place every year on July 22.The small domed church boasts an ornate Baroque interior with an altarpiece of Carrara marble. The walls are adorned by silver votive tablets deposited by grateful sailors returning from perilous expeditions at sea. The church and its adjoining museum also has a collection of 68 paintings by Tripo Kokolja, a 17th-century Baroque artist from Perast who specialized in maritime subjects.Marko Martinovi, Matija Zmajevi, and Tripo Kokolja are three of the most famous figures from Perast history. Busts of the three men are prominently displayed in the center of town in the square in front of the church of St Nicholas.Noble Houses and PalacesSmekja Palace from the Bay of Kotor. Photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenPerast is best known for its palaces, many of which line its mile-long waterfront. Depending on definitions and states of repair, there are between 16 and 19 palaces in Perast. The largest and one of the most attractive palaces belonged to the Smekja family, part of casada Cizmaj, who emerged from relative obscurity to achieve fame and fortune during the 18th century by establishing a trading route between Venice and Genoa.The three-story Smekja Palace was built in 1764 on the waterfront from white stone quarried from the Croatian island of Korula. Construction began on a second structure behind the old main road which was not completed until the 1930s. Both buildings are now part of Heritage Grand Perast, a luxury five-star hotel with rooms starting at 300 each during peak season.Another iconic aristocratic palace in Perast is the Bujovi Palace, now home to the Perast Town Museum. It was built by Vicko Bujovi, a prominent naval captain who led Perasts forces in the Morean War in the late 17th century, during which the Venetians gained control of the Peloponnese in Greece from the Ottomans.In 1694, Vicko and his brother Ivan Bujovi completed their Renaissance palace at the western end of the town, designed by Venetian architect Giovanni Battista Fontana. The three-story palace is fronted by a portico of five rusticated arches with a first floor terrace. The central arch is surmounted by the familys coat of arms.Vicko Bujovi was repeatedly elected Perasts town captain between 1694 and 1708, but a feud with the Zmajevi family led him to flee into Dubrovnik. After returning to Perast, Bujovi was murdered in May 1709 in an incident that prompted Matija Zmajevi to leave Perast.The Zmajevi Palace overlooking the town. Photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenThe Zmajevi family came to prominence in the 17th century with Andrija Zmajevi, the poet and Catholic theologian who became abbot of the island monastery of St George in 1656. He moved to Budva in 1664 after being appointed vicar, and in 1671 he was made titular archbishop of Bar, then under Ottoman rule.The Zmajevi palace is located in the western part of Perast further up the mountainside. It was built during the 17th century and came to be known as the bishopric after being expanded by Andrija Zmajevi. During Archbishop Andrijas tenure, the church of Our Lady of the Rosary was built as a family chapel, and its octagonal belfry is one of the most prominent landmarks in the town.Andrijas brother Krsto Zmajevi was also a prominent merchant and civic leader who served as town captain and led fleets against Ottoman pirates in the 1670s. His elder son Vicko Zmajevi would become the archbishop of Zadar in Croatia, while his younger son Matija was to become the famed Russian admiral.A Montenegrin IdyllThe Perast Museum at the Bujovi Palace. Photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenThe revival of the tourism industry after Montenegrin independence has catalyzed the rejuvenation of Perast as an attractive holiday destination. Although much smaller than the likes of Kotor and Tivat, Perast offers an idyllic alternative to the hundreds of tourists who are disgorged from cruise ships into Kotors Old Town every day.Despite its size, there is enough to do in Perast for one or even two relaxing days. Start off with a 15-minute stroll along the full length of the waterfront, admiring the architectural details on the palatial facades, perhaps stopping for an ice cream along the way. The waterfront is also lined with restaurants, several of which are attached to hotels.Step into the Perast Town Museum at the Bujovi Palace at the western end of the town to learn more about the towns history and its connection to the sea. The collection includes portraits of distinguished officers who served in Venetian and Austrian uniform, as well as their personal possessions.In the center of town, check out the interior of the church of St Nicholas, and pay a small fee to climb up the belltower. At 55 meters, it is the tallest belltower in the eastern Adriatic and offers panoramic views of Perast itself, the Bay of Kotor, including the islands of St George and Our Lady of the Rocks.View of Perast from Our Lady of the Rocks. Photograph by Jimmy Chen, 2025. Source: Jimmy ChenBoats to the island of Our Lady of the Rocks depart regularly from the dock near the Smekja Palace. It is worth seeing the intricate interior of the small church and the museum. The neighboring island of St George is usually inaccessible to visitors.While Perast is one of the quietest and most attractive towns in the Bay of Kotor, the influx of tourists during peak season (between May and September) can undermine its idyllic reputation. For the best experience, visit in April or October, or avoid the crowds by arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Spanish Conquistadores in Colorado. Source: WikimediaIn a case of historical irony, around 1519, Spanish conquistadores helped reintroduce horses to the American continent. Corts, the commander, brought sixteen; these early sires contributed to future herds. The transported Spanish breeds were all muscular, compact, and agile types. Central to Spanish military doctrine, equines signaled status, enhanced mobility for exploration, and warfare.With this landing, Corts brought a reproducing population. Like in Europe, horses became vital to colonial administration. This unfamiliar environment killed many, but enough survived. Of these, more imports and reproductions of horses went where the Spanish settled.Rapid Adoption and AdaptationKiowa Tribe girls on horseback. Source: Missouri History MuseumThe horses impact was immediate, evident in cultural, economic, and military uses. Initially shocked by the Spanish cavalry, Native tribes quickly grasped the horses significance.And they adopted horses fast. By the late 1500s, Native tribes began building their own stock. Some traded with the Pueblo people, with their Spanish contacts. Other tribes, such as the Apaches and Utes, raided Spanish settlements in New Mexico. Feral herds provided another source, which Native people tamed. In addition to acquiring stock, tribes bred it to meet their unique needs.The horse enabled Native cultures to evolve from a pedestrian culture. Besides hauling, horses also changed trade, enabling exchanges with distant tribes. Hunting strategies changed, too, from a slow, foot-based process to a swift, mobile chase. Using bows adapted for horseback, hunters could flank, pursue, or surround herds, becoming more efficient overall.Historically, the horse frontier moved more quickly than previously thought. Different evidence, genetic and archeological, showed that Plains and other Native tribes raised horses decades before European written history shows. Besides physical evidence, Lakota and Comanche oral traditions revealed that horses were already familiar and culturally embedded.The Trade Network LinkNative American man on horseback hunting buffalo. Source: Schreyvogel, Charles, 1861-1912In another change, historians now know the Spanish introduced horses. However, Native trading networks primarily distributed horses. Scholars incorrectly emphasized the 1680 Pueblo Revolt as the major release point for horses. Now, though, genetic and historical records show equestrian cultures existed in the Great Plains and Rockies by the 1600s.Examples of direct horse culture include the Shoshone and the Comanche. Shoshone acquired a reputation as horse breeders and traders. The eventual Comanche powerhouse rose to prominence by using horses.An Equine RevolutionThe Appaloosa horse of the Nez Perce people. Source: WikimediaHorses changed Native life at a blistering speed. Tribes became horse cultures within a generation or two. Besides cultural and economic benefits, the horse also introduced political instability.One cultural improvement involving horses led to an overall population increase. The Plains tribes benefited the most. Mounted buffalo hunting meant greater yields. With this new mobility, tribes shifted, following herds to entirely new hunting grounds. The result: food security became more stable.The horse remapped Native tribe trading networks. Trading with other tribes or Europeans increased as distances decreased. The Kiowa (a Southern Plains tribe) occasionally traveled east, trading with eastern tribes such as the Wichita. Exchanged goods included horses for agriculture. The Shoshone traded their famous horses far north with the Nez Perce or Blackfeet tribes.Over time, distinct Native breeds emerged, adding to this revolution. Tribes bred horses suiting their needs. Bloodlines were maintained, often selecting for endurance, temperament, or gait. Famous breeds like the Spanish Mustang and the Appaloosa trace their heritage to Spanish breeds. The term mustang comes from the Spanish word mesteno, meaning wild or stray.A New Kind of WarfareReturn of a war party. Source: Library of CongressThe Native American tribes recognized the horses military potential. Being quick to learn, many Native tribes displayed some of historys finest horsemanship. A new style of warfare emerged, changing the political or tribal landscape. Power could change rapidly, depending on which tribe had better resources or better equstrian skills. These new horse cultures pushed into new regions, breaking down barriers. For example, the Lakota Sioux grew rapidly, enabling them to push back their foes, the Pawnee, from parts of the Great Plains.Three tribes adapted better than most, introducing true mobility, completely dominating their neighbors. The most undisputed were the Comanche. Their feared light cavalry fought the Spanish, Mexicans, or Americans equally. They controlled a region called Comancheria, which only declined in the late 19th century. Next came the Shoshone, the forebears of the Comanche.The Eastern Shoshone, after the Ute tribe, mastered horses early. They became proficient riders and horse breeders. The third tribe, the Lakota, spread west onto the Plains. Like the Comanche, they stayed a dominant power for decades. Without a doubt, the horse reshaped Native American life. This process only took several generations as tribes adapted, changing power, culture, and economic life.

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