Stećak

monumental medieval tombstones from Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighboring countries

Stećak (Стећак, [stetɕak]; plural: Stećci, Стећци, [stetɕtsi]) are monumental tombstones made in medieval Bosnia.

Stećak
Stećak in Radimlja necropolis
Official name: Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards
TypeCultural
Criteriaiii, vi
Designated2016 (40th session)
Reference no.1504
State Party Bosnia and Herzegovina
 Croatia
 Montenegro
 Serbia
RegionEurope and North America

History

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The Stecci are relared to the Vlachs who lived in the Dinaric Alps of Herzegovina since the Middle Ages. Most of the Stecci were created after the X century and until the Turk invasion of the Balkans. According to the scholar Wenzel the Stecci are the clear evidence of the existence of a romance territory in the area between Italy and Romania,[1] that now has disappeared.

The tombstones are mostly in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a smaller amount in the border area of Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia. About 60,000 are found within the territory of the modern Bosnia and Herzegovina. The rest of 10,000 are found in what are today Croatia (4,400), Montenegro (3,500), and Serbia (4,100). The stećak are at more than 3,300 odd sites with over 90% in poor condition.[2][3]

References

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  1. The Stecci and the Bridge between Italy and Romania
  2. "Joint Nomination for Inclusion of Stećci - Medieval Tombstones in the World Heritage List". UNESCO. 14 April 2014.
  3. Musli, Emir (23 November 2014). "Čiji su naši stećci?" (in Bosnian). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 1 April 2016.