top of page
Search

Best Palaces in Perast, Montenegro

  • Writer: Erin
    Erin
  • Dec 12, 2022
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jul 31

Montenegro is a small country located high in the Balkan mountain range and was part of the former Yugoslavia. The landscape and horizon are some of the most stunning in Europe. The rugged black peaks of Mont Lovcen are where the country got its name, the Black Mountain. The country is full of amazing history and has many stories to tell. An old fishing village in the Bay of Kotor is home to some of Europe's most stunning palaces and churches. This town is known as Perast. It has grown significantly since its start in the early 14th century as a fishing harbor. It was then that fortresses and other defenses were built to protect the city. The city's wealth continued to grow and flourish due to trade with Venice through World War I, to being part of Yugoslavia, to 2006, when the city became an independent city of in the country of Montenegro. The population has since dwindled to less than 300 people. But it is an incredibly unique place city to visit.


A stone lion statue overlooks the picturesque coastal town of Perast, Montenegro, with traditional buildings, a prominent church tower, and boats docked in the clear blue water, all set against a backdrop of rolling hills under a bright sky.
Old Town Perast

As you start your trip through the city, you'll notice it's a bit different than other cities in Montenegro, like Kotor. Parast is not a walled city. It opens up to the plazas and squares right down to the harbor level. The area almost reminds me of Venetian streets and faire. As you wander the streets, you may notice an abundant number large buildings that were once palaces and homes.


A picturesque view of the historic Bujovic Palace and other traditional stone buildings along the waterfront in Perast, Montenegro. The buildings feature red-tiled roofs and are nestled at the base of a lush, green, tree-covered mountain that rises steeply behind them. The clear, turquoise waters of the Bay of Kotor are in the foreground, with the stone embankment and houses reflecting in the water.
Perast City Museum

Bujovic Palace

Giving a nod to Venetian history, the Bujovic Palace is one of the most beautiful and notable buildings. It was designed by Giovanni Battista Fonte. The building was gifted to captain Vicko Bujović. He was a major player in the war against the Ottomans. The design features Renaissance-style arches on street level and five balconies. As you walk by the exterior walls, you can see Latin writings and the Bujović family coat of arms. Today the palace is home to the Perast City Museum.


Bronza Palace

Located at the city's western end is the Bronza Palace, where the Bronza family lived for years. This is a notable building because of the defensive towers, oval windows, and a dove coat of arms. Unfortunately, the Bronza family line ended, and the Palace was taken in by the Austria-Hungarian government as the official customs location when entering the city.


A picturesque view of the Smekja Palace and other historic buildings along the waterfront in Perast, Montenegro. Several boats are docked in the foreground, facing a stone pier where people are seated at outdoor restaurant tables with green umbrellas. The multi-story palace, with its white facade and terracotta roof, dominates the center of the image, flanked by other traditional stone houses. Green, tree-covered mountains are visible in the background under a bright sky with scattered white clouds.
Smekja Palace

Smekja Palace

If you are looking to be able to stay in a palace, Smekja is the Palace for you. It is a stunning white palace that sits directly on the waterfront and stands three stories tall. It is said to be one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Perast. You can access the St. Apostle Mark Church in the plaza, which is a stunning feat of its own.


A symmetrical, cream-colored stone church, the Church of St. Apostle Mark, stands prominently between two taller buildings. The church features a green double door at its entrance, two rectangular windows on the upper level, and a circular window above the entrance. Statues adorn the roofline, with one central figure holding a staff and two figures on either side. Two tall, narrow evergreen trees flank the entrance, and potted plants are visible on the steps leading up to the door. To the right, a set of outdoor stairs with potted flowers ascends alongside the adjacent building.
St. Apostle Mark Church

St. Apostle Mark Church

This modest church dates back to the 18th century. There are many notable families buried in this temple. As you walk by the exterior of the church, you see it is made of Korčula stone. It is decorated with winged lions and bears in the Baroque style as symbols of the Venetian Republic.


A towering stone bell tower with a clock face and spire stands prominently in the center of the image, belonging to the Saint Nicholas Church in Perast, Montenegro. In the foreground to the left, a classical stone column with an ornate capital rises, partially obscuring other traditional stone buildings with red tile roofs. The main church structure, also made of stone, features a large arched window and a circular window. Mountains are visible in the background under a bright blue sky with white clouds.
St. Nicholas Church

St. Nicholas Church

The most prominent church in all of Perast, St. Nicholas Church, was the city's center under Venetian rule. The 180 ft tall bell tower stands tall above the city. During the summer, you can climb this beautiful tower to gain a stunning view of the city. Inside, there are several families buried in the chapel.


Now you know the monuments and sites in the small village of Perast. Schedule a consultation with me to explore the rest of the country of Montenegro.

Comments

bottom of page