In the days when Perast was a key maritime hub on the Adriatic, its captains were more than sailors – they were diplomats, traders, warriors, and men of honor. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the town held the right to train and appoint its own "Captains of Perast," who sailed under the Venetian flag but remained deeply loyal to their hometown. These captains led ships on both trade and military missions, defended the coast, and brought home wealth and knowledge from across the Mediterranean. Their coats of arms still adorn the facades of Perast’s noble palaces. One of the most famous, Captain Marko Martinović, even taught naval skills to Russian nobles sent by Empress Catherine, spreading Perast’s expertise all the way to St. Petersburg. Today, the Captain’s House preserves the legacy – documents, instruments, and stories that remind us of a time when Perast gave the world captains who ruled the seas, but always returned to their stone-bound home.
