Fasinada
At sunset on 22 July, Perast's boats carry stones to Our Lady of the Rocks – a custom that, by tradition, goes back to the 15th century.
This event has ended
It returns every year – dates for the next edition haven't been announced yet.
Perast is the perfect town for a ritual like this: a single line of stone palaces and church towers along the shore, facing the islets that define its seascape. There is no beach-resort bustle here – Perast is a place of façades, bell towers and water, and on the evening of Fašinada its whole waterfront turns toward the bay.
The evening unfolds slowly. The boats gather and set out at sunset, strung in a line across the bay; there is no staging and nothing to buy – just the ritual itself, decorated boats moving from Perast towards the island in the last light of a July evening, as they have for over five centuries.
That age and continuity earned Fašinada a place among Montenegro's national intangible cultural heritage in 2013. The procession is traditionally followed by the Fašinada Cup regatta, which brings sails to the same waters – the solemn half of the evening answered by a sporting one.
For spectators, the best vantage point is the Perast waterfront, where the whole procession passes in view. It is worth arriving before sunset to watch the boats assemble; the light on the bay in that hour is reason enough for the trip on its own.
Fašinada takes place every year on 22 July at sunset, setting out from Perast on the Bay of Kotor. Watching from the waterfront is free, and no tickets or arrangements are needed.
What to expect
A centuries-old custom
By tradition, stones have been thrown around the reef since 22 July 1452, when sailors found the icon of the Virgin on it.
Boats tied together
Decorated boats, tied to one another, follow the first boat with the parish priest; after the stones are thrown come prayer and song.
Sunset boat procession
Decorated boats cross from Perast to Our Lady of the Rocks at sunset on 22 July.
The regatta follows
The Fašinada Cup regatta traditionally follows the procession.
Free from the waterfront
The whole procession can be watched from Perast's waterfront at no charge.
Come before sunset
Arrive early on the Perast waterfront to watch the boats gather in the evening light.
What happens when
July 22, 2026
- Wed22JulWednesday, July 22Fašinada procession at sunsetDecorated boats carry stones from Perast to Our Lady of the Rocks; the Fašinada Cup regatta traditionally follows.
Photos
Where it takes place
Where to Eat in Bay of Kotor
More events
What else is on in Montenegro around the same time.
Njegos Day
Montenegro's holiday of culture on Njegoš's birthday – ceremonies, awards and programmes centred on Cetinje.
Camellia Days (Fešta kamelija)
Stoliv celebrates its camellia bloom with flower exhibitions, concerts and the Camellia Ball.
Shooting the Kokot (Perast Votive Day)
Perast marks its 1654 victory with processions, the Boka Navy kolo, mass and wreath-laying.