Necropolis of Stećci

The “artificial necropolis of stećci” is significant for the further research of the culture of stećak in the region of eastern Herzegovina and it is a part of the urban landscape of Bileća, which together with other necropolis, represent an important mark of civilization essential for the science and culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina.Most experts agree that some of them represent medieval memorial tombstones which differ from others by their typology and ornaments. As for their size, they are classified as megalithic stone blocks that could be found in Bosnia and Herzegovina (more than 60 000 of registered tombstones), as well as in Montenegro (about 3 050), Croatia ( about 4 450) and Serbia (about 2 270).They are unique in the culture of Europe and world cultures, they don’t resemble nor directly copy any other monuments, although some similarities with ancient monuments could be noticed. In front of the National Museum in Sarajevo, the memorial tombstone monuments are exhibited on the left, opposite to sarcophagi and other tombstones from the Roman period. This installation suggests a possible pattern used in making the first stećak. Similar exhibition can also be seen in front of the Museum of Herzegovina in Trebinje. Each stećak is special for being unique, and in a broad sense, the name itself refers to the lying stones, stone blocks and, most importantly, all the monuments dating from the XII to XVI century similar in the rustic processing and symbolic features.