Martinović Palace and Brajković-Martinović Palace

Martinović Palace is one of the oldest palaces in Perast. It is located by “Velja” Street, which connects the main square where St. Nicholas church stands with the Fortress of St. Cross built above the town. The palace carries the coat-of-arms of the “casada” Čizmai to which the Martinović’s belonged. The coat-of-arms depicts a hand holding a stalk. Today the palace is in a ruined state. Brajković-Martinović Palace is located west of the main square next to the old road. It was probably built in the second half of the 17th century at the site of an old house of the Marković family. An inscription mentions the year 1623 and says that the palace was built by Vicko and his brothers, the sons of Tripo Marković, later known as Martinović – from the “casada” Čizmaj. The palace has three floors. On the second floor is a balcony, which used to stretch along the whole length of the palace. On the first floor there is a terrace. The original balustrades on the balcony and terrace were made of stone, while the present ones are made of wrought iron. At the bottom of the terrace, there are two simple portals and a window. Above the right portal stands an inscription surmounted by the coat-of-arms of the “casada” Čizmaj. The palace has preserved its original plan. The first floor salon was decorated at the end of the 19th century in the style of Napoleon II. It is the only completely preserved salon in Perast, with original decorations and furniture.

One of the most prominent members of the Martinović family was Marko Martinović (1663-1716). He was an outstanding seaman, merchant, pedagogue and writer and one of the most important persons in the history of Perast. He received his elementary education, which included the basics in navigation, at the Franciscan monastery in Perast. Owing to his nautical skills and experience, the Senate of Venice appointed him in 1697 to give nautical training to a group of Russian “boyars” (noblemen), sent to Venice by the Russian Emperor Peter the Great. The theoretical part of the training was held in Venice and was followed by three journeys designed for the Russian nobleman to put theory into practice. On one of these journeys in 1698 they visited Perast where they underwent some additional training. The stay of Marko Martinović and the Russian noblemen in Perast in 1698 marks the beginning of nautical education in this area. At the same time, it marks the beginning of relations of Boka Kotorska and Montenegro with the Russia of Peter the Great.