On the outskirts of Žabljak lies a small but historically significant necropolis — medieval carved tombstones dating from the 12th–16th century. Recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage serial property “Stećci – Medieval Tombstones Graveyards”, the site illustrates a unique artistic tradition spread across the western Balkans.
Although carved in stone, the stećci tradition reflects the same design principles present in the region’s wooden heritage, geometric patterns, stylized crosses, hunting scenes, spirals, and borders – motifs once engraved on household wooden chests, furniture, and tools. Simple shapes crafted with precision, represent artistic expression of the mountain life.
The necropolis in Žabljak provides an insight into the past times through skilled craftsmanship. Stone endured, wood served daily life; both carried meaning. Today, the site stands as a testament to the creativity of medieval mountain communities whose carvings, whether in oak or limestone remains a living thread of identity in the Durmitor region.
