Necropolis of stecak tombstones “Radimlja” from Stolac is one of 30 nominees within the joint project of four countries for registering on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Of that number, 22 are necropolis from BiH, 3 from Serbia and Montenegro each and 2 are from Croatia.
Decisions on registration of this infinitely important cultural and historical heritage is expected in July, and from the institution that takes care of 135 stecak tombstones on this locality stated that all conditions are met in the process.
Director of the Public Institution “Radimlja”, to which is entrusted the necropolis, Ante Vujnovic said that there is no reason that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) rejects the proposal for the inclusion of stecak tombstones on the World Heritage List.
He emphasized that “Radimlja” is the most beautiful necropolis in BiH and one of the very few that is continuously taken care of. Grass around stecak tombstones is cut and arranged regularly, necropolis is fenced and has all the conditions for tourists.
Last year, more than 8000 tourists visited the site and Vujnovic is sure that this number will be significantly increased in the future.
Necropolis “Radimlja” is a national monument of BiH since 2002, and it was declared by the Commission to Preserve National Monuments of BiH.
The National Museum hired professionals to clean up the stecak tombstones in 2009. “This extended their lifetime and they are now in very good condition,” added Vujnovic.
From the 70,000 recorded stecak tombstones at 3,300 locations, there are around 60,000 in BiH, 4,400 in Croatia, around 3,500 in Montenegro and around 4,100 in Serbia. The main groups of stecak tombstones are horizontal or vertical stone monoliths.
(Source: novovrijeme.ba)
