Standing proudly on the town’s main square, facing the sea, St. Nicholas Church is the spiritual and symbolic heart of Perast. Built between the 17th and 18th centuries on the foundations of an older church, this baroque sanctuary is dedicated to the patron saint of sailors, reflecting the town’s deep connection with the sea and faith. Its most striking feature is the 55-meter-high bell tower, one of the tallest on the Adriatic coast. Though the church was never fully completed as originally planned, it has remained a central pillar of the local community. Inside, it holds a valuable collection of liturgical treasures, including works by local and Italian masters, and relics brought back from maritime journeys. St. Nicholas Church stands not just as a place of worship, but as a reflection of Perast’s identity. Its silence, its bells, and its view of the sea remind us that this was once a compass for both the soul and the city itself.
