Bronza Palace

The palace is situated in the eastern part of Perast, in the area called “Luka” , right on the waterfront. It was built in the mid-18th century. In the 19th century, during the rule of Austro-Hungary, it served as a “Dogana” – i.e. a customs station, while today it houses the Parish Office. The family of Bronza settled in Perast from the town of Skadar and they belonged to the “casada” (family clan) Šilopi. Its members were renowned seamen and merchants. The first ship they owned, “Santa Maria di Scarpello”, is mentioned in the archival documents from 1591. Captains Ivan and Josip Bronza were awarded a Venetian decoration of the Cavaliers (knights) of St. Mark for their successful battles against piracy.

It is a typically Baroque, three-storey building, with a belvedere. The belvedere has characteristic Baroque volutes. The central part of the main front aspect is emphasised by the “bugnato” portal on the ground floor, a balcony on the first floor, a marble relief depicting the scene of the “Annunciation” and a belvedere topped by a stone ball. The windows are typically Baroque. A portal on the ground level is flanked by two Baroque elliptic windows. The portal bears the coat-of-arms of the “casada” Šilopi, which depicts a bird in a tree standing on top of a hill. The palace has defensive loopholes.

The original layout of the rooms has been preserved. All door frames inside the palace were made of lavishly carved Korčula stone. The ceiling has profiled wooden beams or girders.