The first field tour to Konjic, Jablanica, Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Niksić (Montenegro) within the project Monumental9 was organized from 27th to 31th July 2020. The tour attracted young bloggers, greeters and touristic workers who had the opportunity to visit different parts of the cultural heritage sites. Tito’s bunker in Konjic, the Battle of Neretva Memorial in Jablanica, the Partisan cemetery in Mostar and the Trebjesa Memorial site near Niksić were part of the first visited countries within the project: Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
The field tour started in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first stop was to visit Tito's bunker in Konjic. The fascinating part is that citizens of ex-Yugoslavia didn't know about this facility until the early 90's. That is why the bunker is considered the best kept secret of the former state. Apart from the bunker, the participants had the privilege to visit the birth place of Zuko Džumhur, a prominent Bosnian writer, painter and caricaturist. Next place to visit was the Homeland Museum of Konjic and the Niksic family woodcarving museum.
After Konjic, the participants headed to Jablanica, a town located in Herzegovina-Neretva canton. Here, they had the opportunity to enjoy an evening with the sounds of the Music School "Galeb". Furthermore, they visited the Museum "Battle on Neretva" and spent some time with the women of the Women's Association "Most" who prepared delicious traditional Bosnian dishes.
Next stop was the city of Mostar. The participants visited the Partisan Memorial Cemetery built in honour of the fallen partisans and all those who participated in anti-fascist battle. Nowadays, the cemetery is neglected and ruined, testifying a time that provokes ideological debates.
Under the trees in the city park Zrinjevac, the participants discovered relaxing and energizing class of yoga and meditation. Moreover, the participants explored the murals of the Mostar street art festival and the grave of the most famous poet of Mostar, Aleksa Šantić.
The visit of the old town in Mostar offered the possibility to learn traditional techniques of making copper objects, woodcarving, painting on stones, making traditional Bosnian cafes, dancing traditional folk dances were among the most interesting activities. At the evening the visit was dedicated to Mostar’s Youth Theatre that played "Dream of Freedom", representing the Second World War from the point of view of people trapped in the camps of the Fascist-Nazi regime.
The part of the tour in Bosnia and Herzegovina was wrapped up by the city rafting tour on the river Neretva and with the adrenaline adventure on zip line (Fortica Hill).
The field trip then continued in Montenegro discovering Niksić and its cultural heritage and tradition. Starting with the arboretum, a collection of domestic and foreign species of trees and shrubs, made in Grahovo by General Vojo Kovačević. The tour continued to the recently restored Uprising and Revolution Memorial Park on the Umac hill.
The tastes of the region, the traditional ambient, and old stone house and local food were also explored in the ethno-house and cave "Đedovina".
Slano Lake and Bridge on Moštanica so-called The Roman bridge are unavoidable attractions on the way to Niksić.
“Riverside Maksimović”, was the perfect place to taste the fish specialties in an authentic ambience on the banks of the river Zeta.
The advanture continued in the village of Župa in Nikšić, enjoying the unusual natural beauties and get acquainted with the techniques of cheese production on the Miličić family farm. Nearby, there is a monument honoring the memory of persons who lost their lives in the battle of Sutjeska.
Trebjesa, the protected natural area of the town of Nikšić, was the last place to visit. The park has more than 200 herbaceous and 40 woody species. There are 15 endemic species of the Balkan Peninsula. A place for relaxation, cycling with a panoramic view of Nikšić.
At the foot of Trebjesa, an imposing monument was erected in the shape of 11m high arms that stretch to the sky in memory of 32 executed resistance members. "Generations will admire your heroism for centuries" was engraved on this monument, completed in 1987 by the author Ljubo Vojvodić.
The project is implemented by the Local Democracy Agency Montenegro along with partners: LDA Mostar, LDA Kosovo, LDA Zavidovici, LDA Prijedor, LDA Knjazevac, LDA Subotica & ALDA Skopje and draws on the cultural heritage monuments dedicated to WWII in the Western Balkans. The main objective is to create preconditions for new regional tourism products development while increasing youth employ ability and income generating activities through engaging micro-localities across the region. The project is supported by Regional Cooperation Council through the Tourism Development and Promotion Project's Grant Programme and funded by European Union.