Our Lady of Mercy

Gospa od Milosti (Our Lady of Mercy) is a small monastic islet in Tivat Bay, part of the Krtole archipelago opposite St Mark’s Island. It measures about 160 m by 60 m and lies ~800 m offshore; the north and west are very shallow (<1 m), so landings are made on the deeper southern side.

• 15th-century monastic ensemble – a church dedicated to the Conception of the Virgin and an attached residence around a ~400 m² cloistered yard.
• Cloister and stone enclosure walls – a self-contained garden court with outbuildings.
• “Island-cloister” layout – compact paths and concrete sea terraces for quiet walks and sunning.
• Part of the Krtole island chain in Tivat Bay; nearest neighbour is St Mark’s Island.
• Boat access only on the south – the sole approach with adequate depth for small craft.

• The church of Our Lady of Mercy and the adjacent monastic wing with its narrow cloister.
• Garden plots and seaside walks with views to the bay and St Mark’s.
• Surviving wall sections and the inward-facing service yard plan.

The site took shape in the late 15th century: first as a hermitic clerical retreat, later aligned with the Celestines under the Benedictine rule. Franciscans settled in 1524 and remained until 1800, after which the Bishop of Kotor assigned two priests to guard the shrine and serve the nearby parishes.

Records mention frictions with locals in 1738, and tradition recalls lightning damage in the early 19th century; the church was renewed in 1900 under Bishop Frano Uccellini. Today it remains an active monastic place with respectful, limited visiting.

Location: Bay of Tivat in the Bay of Kotor, between the Krtoli shore of the Luštica peninsula and St Mark’s Island, roughly 800 m off the Tivat coastline.

Getting there: there is no scheduled public transport; you need a boat or taxi-boat from Tivat (Pine waterfront / Porto Montenegro) or from the Krtoli shore (e.g. Krašići, Ðuraševići). The ride usually takes 5–10 minutes, with pick-up time agreed in advance.

Access: this is an active monastery rather than a formal tourist site; unlike Our Lady of the Rocks there is no fixed visiting schedule. Landing and entering the church depend on arrangements with local clergy or nuns and on the season; many boat trips only circle the island or allow a short landing at the jetty.

Visiting hours: feasible year-round in good weather, but boat services and the likelihood of access are highest from May to October. Any interior visit will usually be tied to liturgical times and the convent’s daily routine.

Visit duration: if you land, 20–40 minutes is enough for the church, cloister and garden; combined with a wider Tivat bay cruise (including the Islands of Flowers and St Mark’s), plan for 1.5–2 hours.

Best time: clear mornings or late afternoons for calmer seas and softer light; in summer early hours are cooler, while the evening sun beautifully lights up the monastery and neighbouring islands.

Notes: this is a quiet religious place, so modest dress and discreet behaviour are essential; loud music, swimming at the jetty and drone use without permission are inappropriate. Small jetties and moving boats mean boarding can be tricky in choppy water – wear practical shoes and step carefully.