The Stećci Medieval Tombstones and Wells of Crljivica

The archaeological site of Velika and Mala Crljivica in Cista Velika is the necropolis with the largest and most significant group of stećci (medieval tombstones) in Croatia, and in 2016 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Around 90 of them are scattered across the meadow on both sides of the road.

Stećci are tombstones used for the burial of people of all Christian denominations, created between the 12th and 16th centuries, and typical mainly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the border regions of its neighbouring countries. They are often decorated with ornamentation of similar themes, mostly depicting motifs of duels, warriors, horsemen, kolo round dances, stylised lilies, crosses, stars and the like. Some also bear inscriptions written in bosančica (Croatian Cyrillic), which is the case with two stećci at this site as well.

The necropolis in Cista Velika is the largest and most significant in Croatia. The medieval wells in the sinkhole next to it make this site even more interesting.

Apart from the stećci, on the southern side of the road the meadow descends into a depression (a sinkhole) which holds seven medieval wells that form a truly striking sight.

The Crljivica site lies along a fairly busy road where traffic moves at high speed, so you need to be careful when crossing from one part of it to the other. Otherwise it is easily accessible, as there is a large car park right beside the road.