As the crosswords between East and West, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a platform where different cultures, nations and civilisations have all met. From the unique medieval tombstones - stecci to Roman buildings and mosaics, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian architecture and ancient Catholic and Orthodox decorations, the country's cultural heritage is rich and diverse.
The whole towns are memorials to past time - Jajce, Kraljeva Sutjeska, Bobovac, Vranduk, Pocitelj, Prusac, Mostar, Sarajevo , along with important archaeological locations such as the antique villa on Mogorjelo near Capljina, the late antique basilica in Breza, the complex of Roman buildings in llidza near Sarajevo.
The Stecci - Medieval tombstones
If we were to look for an authentic symbol of the country that would definitely be stecak (plural: stecci), an artefact of original Bosnian cult art. These medieval tombstones with relief drawings and lapidary inscriptions with symbols of the lost life are dotted all over the country and unique in the world.
Spirals, arcades, vine leaves and grapes, suns and crescent moons, processions of deer and, most famous, the man with his right hand raised, are among the images that appear on the tombstones.
The inscriptions usually begin with the phrase: Here let it be known ... or Here lies ..., where the epitaph informs the passer-by and reader that the deceased is buried in the noble land and is of noble heritage.
There is also a significant number of inscriptions that came to reflect personal emotions and deep thoughts from their authors. This is how one long deceased inhabitant of Lasva, near Travnik, speechlessly expressed his wisdom for centuries:
"Here lies Dragaj
in the end -
nothing..."
The stecci can be found throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the most beautiful sites is at Radimlja, near Stolac in Herzegovina.
