Thursday, November 20, 2014

War Memorial and Cemetery Kovaci in Sarajevo

Kovaci is the main cemetery for soldiers from the Bosnian Army who were killed during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina (April 1992 - December 1995). The majority of the people buried here were killed during the siege of Sarajevo.

Besides that, the cemetery today is a war memorial and houses a small war museum right next to it.

click on the images for a bigger view



Around the main site, you will find very old gravestones, dating back to the 16th century.


The hills around the city of Sarajevo host many muslim cemeteries where victims of the siege are buried.


It was a tragic time in our history, now dating almost 20 years back since it ended. Much happier sights can be seen in Sarajevo, when you follow the streets down the hills where the cemetery is located. After a 5 minute walk, you will enter the old town of Sarajevo, called Bascarsija. But more on that another time.




31 comments:

  1. Oh my word. I read a book about this and seeing the stones is a sad sight. So glad the people and the city have happier times.

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  2. When I think of Sarajevo my mind immediately recalls the Winter Olympics. A much happier time for that region. I would love to visit that city to look around and to honor the dead. How sad that war memorials need to be erected and cemeteries preserved for victims of violence.

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    1. I think those memories to the Winter Olympics are much better to have then the war ones. Sarajevo now is a beautiful city, with lots of tourists flocking in every year.

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  3. all those graves are beautiful and sad at the same time. the photo with the houses is so beautiful. I hope the tragic times are gone for good...

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    1. The memorial is located on a peaceful hill. I was there as the sun was beginning to set. It was a nice walk.

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  4. When will wars end? It is good that it's peaceful now.

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  5. as sandra said, both tragic and beautiful.

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  6. What a beautiful backdrop for so much pain and loss…I am so glad things are better now...

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  7. I do remember reading about the horror of that war and the nightmare that engulfed Sarajevo at the time! Wonderful captures as always, Mersad! Thank you for sharing the beauty there now! Hope you have a great weekend!!

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  8. the old gravestones are very special. I never saw stones with such 'decorations'.
    I hope that your country will never have to face another war.
    greetings, Hilde
    http://stapjesonderweg.blogspot.be/

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    1. Those are very old gravestones from the Ottoman Empire in the XVI century.

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  9. Hi Mersad,
    Lovely photos of the memorial(s). Hope there will be no additions due to future wars to the cemetery.
    Peace :)

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  10. The autumn colours and gorgeous light make even these sad places reflect a picturesque beauty. We have a friend here in Vienna who lived his teenage years in Sarajevo, through all those horror years.

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  11. Beautiful shots. I can actually sense the sadness...

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  12. Sad, but it is good to remember their lives and the reasons - so as not to repeat.

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  13. You have captured sadness and hope in these photographs. Hope is a good contrast....

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  14. Your first photograph is masterful. I am amazed at how many soldiers were killed in that sad campaign.

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  15. Such unusual grave stones. Thanks for sharing the sights of your country. {:-Deb

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  16. Es ist immer gut das daran erinnert wird und vor allem den Menschen auch Denkmäler gesetzt werden, es ist aber schimm dass es heute immer noch passieren muss..............weil solche Idioten nicht nachvollziehbare Kriege anzetteln und führen müssen :-((((((

    Die Menschen werden wohl nie in absolutem Frieden leben können-leider.


    Viele GRüsse

    N☼va

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  17. Sad but peaceful there. Some very unusal stones.

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    1. They are actually traditional here for these type of graveyards.

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  18. Such a wonderful pictorial tour. I remember those stories in the news some 20 years ago,

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  19. We visited after the war and could see the damage done to buildings but even worse damage was done to the people. I am pleased they were able to move on in their lovely country.

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  20. I would love to see the war memorial and the graveyard. Graveyards are such sad places, especially when people's lives are cut down too young. The muslim gravestones are very interesting...I had never seen any before. I think Sarajevo would be a good city to visit and see how far it has come since all of that tragedy.

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  21. What an astounding and powerful post.

    These pictures were incredibly moving.

    I found this absolutely fascinating.

    Thank you for linking to the letter A for Alphabe-Thursday.

    A+

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