Emili Naomi Blog: Sutjeska National Park

A long time I had a desire to see this monument. I was thrilled when I heard we were going to Mag(l)ic. And of course we'll stop off at Tjentiste. We arrived early in the morning and it was still quite dark. I was surprised by the size of monuments, it is really huge. I was thrilled and disappointed at the same time because of deterioration of this stunning monument.

The park was location of the 1943 Battle of the Sutjeska during WWII. In the battle, the Partisans were led by marshal Josip Broz Tito. To remember the tragic loss of life, the abstract war memorial was constructed near the village Tjentiste. A war memorial now stands vithin the Valley of the Heroes, where the Yugoslavian Partisans overpowered the German occupying forces, even though they lost a third of their men. This monument was designed by the sculptor Miodrag Zivkovic.

There is also a Memorial home "Battle of Sutjeska" near the monument. It was built in period 1964-1971, and it is work of architect Ranko Radovic. In the 1980s monuments like this attracted millions of visitors per year, especially young pioneers. But after the Republic dissolved this monument was completely abonded and it´s symbolic meaning was forever lost. Though not for all of us!

I found this old picture among the pictures of my father. I think it was in 1975 or 1976. He's this young man with blond hair in the lower left corner. It was a field trip in high school. This image is one of the reasons I wanted to visit this monument.

Established in 1962, Sutjeska is oldest national park in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This park attracts both history and nature lover alike. The Strict Nature reserve Perucica, one of the last two remaining primeval forest in Europe, is part of the park. With over 300 species of birds, and other animals such as bears, wolves, foxes, Sutjeska National Park is must-see for any animal lover.

It also hides the 75 metres tall Skakavac waterfall. š