At the foot of the 873-meter-high Elia Hill opposite the Strait of Virij where the Bay of Risan meets the Bay of Kotor, this UNESCO-protected town boasts a collection of Baroque mansions, majestic churches, and impeccably well-preserved Venetian Gothic buildings, including the two enchanting islands. Our Lady of the Rocks St. George Perast was once a powerful naval center, and reached the height of its wealth and power in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries when it was part of the Venetian Empire that ruled the Gulf of Kotor from 1420 to 1797, and had its own shipyard at the time. As early as 1336, artifacts found in a cave above the town show that people have lived there since prehistoric times. In addition, what makes Perast unique is that it has maintained its traditional appearance, which means that there is no modern architecture in it, and that all its buildings are built in the traditional stone style that is interspersed with palm trees, bright greens and purple flowers that climb over the main terraces and courtyards. And although this historic town has become a busy tourist destination, its charm is undeniable, and a visit to it is a must when visiting the Bay of Kotor.