Cycling Through the Silence of Herzegovinian Necropolises
Projekt Stećak Route project continues its mission of connecting cycling, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism and today Grude hosted the second stage of this unique journey through history on two wheels. The event was organized in cooperation with the Cycling Club Grude and association HerzegovinaBike, whose members actively participated and ensured everything ran smoothly.
Stones That Speak
The ride began in front of St. Luke's Church in Blaževići, where cyclists visited the first necropolis of stećci. In a place where stone meets silence, a journey began — one that reminds us that history is not forgotten, we simply need to know where to look.
The next stop was hidden among houses — a solitary stećak in a field, seemingly neglected but an undeniable symbol of the past. In its modest setting lies its power: it testifies to the people, customs, and beliefs that shaped this region.
The third site was the Bili Brig necropolis, offering a stunning view over the entire Grude municipality. Unfortunately, due to neglect and acts of vandalism, many stećci at this location have been damaged or destroyed — but their historical value continues to live on, thanks to initiatives like this.
The final destination of the cycling tour was the Ledinac cemetery in Donji Mamići, where the stećci are located within a tranquil graveyard, shaded by pine trees and facing east — in line with the ancient burial traditions of this area. This was one of the most visually impressive necropolises in the Grude area, rounding off a cycling tour filled with education, shared experiences, and a deep appreciation for cultural heritage.
The president of the Cycling Club Grude, Željko Kolobarić, shared his thoughts on the event’s success:
“I am happy and proud that today we spent time in nature together, learning about the history and culture of our ancestors. This cycling tour is not just a sporting event, but an opportunity to connect with the identity of our region and pass that knowledge on to younger generations.”
More Than a Ride – A Lesson in History
Stećci are more than tombstones — they are spiritual records of a people. Burial sites were once marked with small oval stone borders, and bodies were laid beneath flat or gabled stone slabs, most often facing east with slight deviation to the northeast — an orientation that, according to archaeological evidence, reflects population shifts over time.
In the Grude parish, multiple stećak sites can be found. On the Sklad area along the Grude–Imotski road, several grave slabs have been recorded, one bearing a carved cross. In the hamlet of Vrućice, a decorated gabled stećak features a rosette, crescent moon, short sword, and a scene of a horseman in combat with a foot soldier. On the Mikulić family estate in Krištelica, next to the Grude–Ledinac road, lies a group of smaller gabled stećci, one of which depicts a candlestick, an animal figure, a crescent moon, and a symbolic circle of three female figures accompanied by a man with a sword — offering a glimpse into the daily and spiritual life of medieval Herzegovina.
The Voice of Youth
A special contribution came from the youngest members of Cycling Club Grude, who joined the ride with their families. Their participation is a sign of hope — because we can only truly appreciate heritage once we first get to know it.
A Project That Connects Body and Spirit
Projekt Stećak Route project is part of the international SUSTOUR – Sustainable Tourism for Local Development, co-funded through Interreg VI-A IPA Programa Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021 – 2027, with the support Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the West Herzegovina Canton.
In this project, a stećak is not just a stone. As the great Mak Dizdar:
“It is a stone, but it is also a word; it is earth, but also sky; it is matter, but also spirit; it is a cry, but also a song; it is death, but also life; it is the past, but also the future.”
What’s Next?
The project continues on July 4, 2025, in Širokom Brijegu, followed by cycling tours in Ljubuški and the grand finale on Blidinje, held during Blidinje Gastro Festivala.
We invite all lovers of cycling, nature, and history to join us. More information is available on the official channels of the HerzegovinaBike.
See you on two wheels — among the stećci, across landscapes, stories, and the echoes of the past.
