The Foundation “Heritage Watchdogs – Bassania” expresses deep concern over the recent illegal relocation of the Orah necropolis, which took place on 25 January 2025 without the required legal and professional procedures.
We recently received new information and photographs from the NGO Eko dvogled in southern Mostar, an organization that has been fighting for seven years against the imposed highway route through the gardens of Blagaj. Unfortunately, the court proceedings regarding this matter have not yet concluded, and the case has been pending with the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2022.
Moreover, we learned that the Highways of the Federation of BiH engaged a company to relocate the necropolis, which was moved to a site 1 km away from its original location without any prior archaeological excavations, and with damage occurring during transport. According to the information available to us, this procedure received professional support from the Federal Institute for the Protection of Monuments and the Department of Archaeology at the University of Mostar.
On site, we observed that one medieval tombstone was damaged during transport, and we did not notice any archaeological excavations at the original location, nor was an informative plaque about the relocation installed.
These facts raise several serious questions that require answers:
- How could the Highways of the Federation of BiH, headed by Director Denis Lasić, decide to relocate the necropolis while the court process regarding the highway route is still ongoing and no final court decision has been issued?
- How did the Federal Institute for the Protection of Monuments (Director Robert Stergar) allow the relocation process to be conducted without a court ruling, and permit the breaking of a tombstone during transport? Why was the public not informed about the entire process, and by what criteria was the new location chosen?
- Did the Department of Archaeology at the University of Mostar (Head Dr. Tino Tomas) conduct professional preparation, including the excavation of soil remains and artifacts? Where are these finds stored, and have the archaeological excavations been properly conserved and protected?
Finally, we wish to remind all relevant institutions and society as a whole that medieval tombstones do not belong solely to highways, institutes, museums, or archaeologists. These tombstones are invaluable heritage that belongs to the entire people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Foundation “Heritage Watchdogs – Bassania” will continue to monitor the case of this necropolis relocation, as well as any other attempts to endanger our cultural heritage.
