St. George Island
Sveti Đorđe Island
A green islet with a Benedictine monastery and old cemetery.
Unlike its neighbour, St George is closed to visitors. Behind the cypresses stand an 11th-century Benedictine monastery and the town’s historic cemetery. From the bay the island shows a sombre profile often described as Perast’s "romantic" view.
How to Get There
On foot from Perast center ~1-2 min.
From TIV airport (Tivat) by taxi/transfer ~14 min.
From TGD airport (Podgorica) by taxi/transfer ~70 min.
Description
Natural Island with Mystical Aura
The Island of Saint George is a natural island opposite Perast, shrouded in legends and steeped in romantic tragedy. Unlike the artificial Our Lady of the Rocks, this island was created by nature itself, and humans transformed it into a sacred place of memory and peace.
Benedictine Heritage
Historical significance:
- Ancient monastery: Benedictine monastery since the 12th century
- First mentions: 809 AD - welcoming relics of Saint Tryphon
- Architectural value: single-nave church with square apse and low bell tower
- Defensive walls: French fortifications from the Napoleonic era
"Island of Dead Captains"
The island earned its poetic name thanks to the ancient cemetery where Perast's most noble residents rest. Here lie representatives of aristocratic families - the Zmajevićs, Brajkovićs, and other "kazada" (brotherhoods) with their family coats of arms on tombstones.
Legend of Katica and Ante
Tragic love story (1813): French officer Ante Slović and Perast beauty Katica Kalfić - local Romeo and Juliet. During the Perast rebellion, Ante was forced to fire cannons at the city and accidentally killed his beloved. Removing his military uniform, he became monk Frano and guarded Katica's grave until his death. They are buried together by the church wall under two cypresses whose crowns intertwine.
Source of Inspiration
The island inspired:
- Arnold Böcklin to create the famous painting "Isle of the Dead"
- Famous writers: Byron, Bernard Shaw, Stendhal, Hemingway
- Artists: Milunović, Meštrović, Aralica
Visiting Information
⚠️ Important: The island is an active monastic territory with restricted access. Landing on the island is usually not included in standard tours.
Best viewing spots:
- Perast waterfront (frontal view)
- Saint Nicholas bell tower (panorama)
- Our Lady of the Rocks island (side angle)
Experience this mysterious island from afar, where the boundary between history and legend is beautifully blurred, and the cypress trees guard centuries-old secrets of love and loss.
