Blidinje is a stunning natural area located in northern Herzegovina, characterized by its prominent karst plateau situated between the Čvrsnica, Muharica, and Vran mountains. At the heart of Blidinje lies the Dugo polje plateau, part of a nature park that spans the municipalities of Mostar, Posušje, Tomislavgrad, Prozor-Rama, and Jablanica. Named after Blidinje Lake, the largest mountain lake in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the area is nourished by the melting snow from the adjacent mountains.

Historically, Blidinje has served as a crossroads connecting Bosnia to Dalmatia, though its harsh winter climate often left it deserted until the arrival of spring. Evidence of ancient life, including prehistoric graves and Roman roads, as well as medieval necropolises, has been uncovered, indicating a long history of human habitation and mobile pastoral life.

The largest necropolis in Blidinje is located in Dugo polje, an untouched natural setting rich in biodiversity. This necropolis is noteworthy for its preservation, containing 150 stećci—the largest collection among the area’s necropolises. The majority of these are slabs (72), followed by 59 chests, 14 tall chests, and five gabled roofs, four of which include plinths. Notably, 32 of the stećci are decorated, including five slabs and all gabled roofs, though none bear epitaphs, which is unusual given their apparent aesthetic value and the craftsmanship of the monuments.

The stećci are finely crafted from local limestone, likely quarried from nearby sites. The gabled roofs and chests demonstrate superior craftsmanship compared to the slabs. The monuments are arranged in regular rows, predominantly oriented southwest to northeast, with no upright forms of stećci present in Dugo polje. This arrangement helps date the necropolis to the 14th and early 15th centuries, with simpler slabs being the earliest, while the more ornate examples are likely from the first half of the 15th century.

Today, the necropolis is in good condition, having undergone cleaning and conservation efforts in recent years. Its significance and well-preserved state led to its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list, affirming its cultural and historical importance.

https://steccihorizoneu.com/stecci-biodeteriogens-assessment-blidinje/
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