Sunday, December 08, 2013

Stecci

So.. Stecci are grave markers.  This is the largest collection in Bosnia of the ancient markers.  All of these date from 1300 - 1600.  People don't know too much about them, because they were part of the Bosnia Catholic Church - which both the Roman and the Byzantine Churches branded as heretics.

The Franciscans came and coverted many Bosnians (who converted for help fighting the Ottomans).  After the Ottomans won, people convereted to Muslim or Eastern Orthodox, the two acceptable religions in the region per the Ottoman's.

Just think, if they could have all stayed Catholic Church of Bosnia, the whole 1992 - 1996 war might not have been necessary.

Anyway, the Stecci are fascinating.  There are 63 on one side of the road, and 20 on the other.  Apparently they lasted being left alone for 400 years, but the Austrians wanted a road from Mostar to Stolac - and wanted it to go through the middle of the cemetary.  On the positive side, it is a very straight road.