MEDIEVAL NECROPOLISES AROUND KLADANJ
Four medieval necropolises around Kladanj, those of Mramor-Musići, Olovci, Bečani and Luburića Polje.
Mramor-Musići Necropolis (Nekropola Mramor u Musićima) - 32 km southwest of Kladanj, in Klinčići, on the M18 towards Sarajevo. GPS: 44.104052, 18.519491. This is the most interesting necropolis in the area. It is also quite easy to reach: after Ovolo, turn right to Dolovi. At the next junction, turn left to the hamlet of Musići. The site is 1 km to the south. It contains 80 stećci, 47 of which are of the "gabled roof" type. Twelve are decorated, mainly with rosettes, spirals, twisted bands and crosses. This ornamental richness is related to the presence of lead mines that allowed the region to develop from 1370 onwards.
Olovci Necropolis (Nekropola Olovci) - 17 km north of Kladanj, next to the hamlet of Olovci by a small road passing through Brateljevići, Tuholj and Goletići. GPS: 44.287778, 18.647778. The necropolis is located in a very beautiful site in the Konjuh protected area, between the Javorje and Merdić lodges. There are 18 stećci (14th-16th centuries). Three are decorated with identical bas-reliefs: double spiral and cross with rounded ends. One stećak bears a rare inscription in the Bosančica alphabet that may date from the fifteenth century: "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, rests here Radomir Jurisalić on his noble land." Mystery, because in the sources, no local lord of this name is mentioned.
Bečani Necropolis (Nekropola u Bečanima/Некропола у Бечанима) - 25 km northeast of Kladanj, in Đurići/Ђурићи (Bosnian Serb Republic), at the place of "half-rock" (Pola Stijene), 8 km north of Šekovići/Шековићи. GPS: 44.327803, 18.844939. It houses 138 stećci, 77 of which are "pillars," the latest form, which appeared in the late 15th century. Only seven are decorated. The site is quite difficult to access, at 700 m above sea level. It is recommended to go there with a sturdy car.
Necropolis of Luburića Polje (Nekropola u Luburića Polju/Некропола у Лубурић Пољу) - 53 km south of Kladanj, in Košutica/Кошутица (Bosnian Serb Republic) via M18 and R468. GPS: 43.957872, 18.842903. Shortly before the village of Košutica, there are two necropolises here, 150 m apart. They consist of prehistoric burial mounds (around 3000 BC) and 134 stećci (12th-15th centuries), nine of which are decorated with bas-reliefs (arms, Latin cross, rosettes). The surroundings are marked by the presence of 50 artificial hills and 1,200 burial mounds probably erected by the Illyrians.