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BiH Atlas
Ancient & ArchaeologicalNekropola stećaka Radimlja u Stocu

Radimlja Stećci Necropolis

Radimlja is the most famous and artistically significant site of medieval tombstones, known as stećci, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The site contains 133 tombstones decorated with sophisticated carvings, including epitaphs in the Bosnian Cyrillic script (Bosančica).

UNESCO World Heritage 2016National Monument since 2002Federation of BiH
Where
Stolac, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton
Built
14th-16th Century
Architect
Medieval stonemasons (Kovači)
Materials
Limestone

History

Stećci are unique monumental medieval tombstones characteristic of the medieval Bosnian state, used by both the Bosnian Church, Roman Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox populations. The Radimlja necropolis reached its peak in the 15th and 16th centuries. The rich carvings feature hunting scenes, tournaments, geometric patterns, and detailed human portraits that provide invaluable insight into medieval Bosnian life.

Key facts

  • ◆Part of a joint UNESCO World Heritage inscription with Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia.
  • ◆Features 63 decorated slabs, chests, ridge tombstones, and cruciform monuments.
  • ◆Most famous motif is the male figure with an oversized hand raised in greeting or oath-taking.
  • ◆Serves as the resting place of the medieval Miloradović-Hrabren family.
  • ◆Features the iconic and widely recognized relief of a male figure with a giant, raised right hand (signifying greeting, loyalty, or prayer).
  • ◆Carved inscriptions are written in the medieval Bosnian Cyrillic alphabet, known as "Bosančica".
  • ◆The tombstones are decorated with realistic and symbolic motifs like horsemen, circle dances (kolo), arches, grapes, and lilies.
  • ◆The stone used was quarried from the nearby Ošanići hill.
Why UNESCO listed it
Inscribed under criteria (iii), (vi) in 2016. Criterion (vi) means association with events, traditions or ideas of universal significance; (ii) an interchange of human values; (iii) testimony to a cultural tradition; (iv) an outstanding example of a type of building; (ix) and (x) ecological processes and biodiversity.
Sources and verification

Checked 2026-09-11: designation year, dates, dimensions and attributions verified; several invented single-year construction dates in the draft were replaced with the documented century.