Museum of the Town of Perast - an interesting history lesson

On the banks of the Kotor Bay, somewhere on the roadway between Kotor and Risan, lies a small and charming town of Perast. It is interesting because of its tiny proportion, strategic position and rich history. Along only one street bordering the sea, hundreds of myths, stories and legends are hidden among the old buildings, authentic houses and churches. One of the most representative places where one can discover a lot about the past life and hear an interesting history lesson is certainly the Museum of the Town of Perast.

Muzej grada Perasta - Museum of the city of Perast

Perast, Monténégro

Picture © Credits: Portal Analitika

The Golden Age of Perast

Throughout the history, Perast had its ups and downs. Under the Venetian rule, Perast developed the most and the period from 15th to the end of the 18th century is known as the Golden Age of the city. The successful protection and defense of the city brought many citizens a lot of privileges from the Venetian Republic, and they were often rewarded with the land in some parts of the Boka Bay. On the other side, the navy had an important role in the lives of citizens of Perast. It was their main profession which contributed a lot to the wealth and glory.

After the rule of the Venetian Republic, Perast lost its original shine. When the Austro-Hungarians came to rule, the Golden Age disappeared, and instead of it, Perast became a dark and desolated city. The abandoned palaces and empty streets have turned Perast into a city of mysticism, silence and mystery.

The foundation of the museum

In order to preserve the past glory and shine, the locals saved and collected everything that speaks about this famous period of power and wealth. To live in the city that lost a power, fame and influence, was a challenge for the new generations. However, they respected the work and efforts of their ancestors and saved all the items they could in order to create an eternal memory of the Golden Age.

Picture © Credits: WayToMonte

It was in 1937 that the Municipal Council of Perast the decided to found the Museum of the city. The collection of exhibits from the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries was compiled and collected by the donation of citizens, the successors of the once prosperous families. At first, the Museum was located in the building of the Municipality of Perast. Nowadays, it is situated in a beautiful Bujovic Palace, built in the 17th century and renovated in 1957.

Picture © Credits: Vladimir Gerasimov

The content of the museum

The cultural past of the city is well-represented by more than 2000 items in the museum. Most of them are dating from the 17th and 18th century. From the naval collection - ship models, navigational devices, through cartography and different weapons, to the salons with paintings, characteristic furniture, national costumes - one can get a vivid image of a wealthy life in Perast.

Picture © Credits: WayToMonte

To use the best of your stay in Perast, to hear an interesting history lesson - how the city developed through different periods, why its position was so strategic and to learn about city's legends, the Museum of the Town of Perast should be an inevitable place. It is without a doubt one of the most interesting institutions in the Boka Bay.