The area of Sokolović near Sokolac is very rich in medieval tombstones. Almost every village has one necropolis, and often several. Unfortunately, today these villages are almost deserted, with a few elderly residents and weekenders.
Interestingly, the Municipality of Sokolovići existed until the end of the Second World War. This was once the land of Pavlović, and the Vlach tribe of Kalimani lived in this area, after which the village of Kalimanići got its name. Kalimanići has one of the most beautiful necropolises in the entire region.
On the road Žljebovi-Sokolovići, on the left, on two mounds is the Miletci necropolis, which has 62 medieval tombstones, including 56 chests and 6 gables. The necropolis is completely overgrown with bushes and branches, so it is hardly noticeable from the road. The medieval tombstones are nicely processed, and four of them are decorated with motifs: a rosette, a cross, a sword, a hand, and a border of a winding vine with spirals.
If the Miletci necropolis were cleaned, it would be among the most beautiful in the valley in terms of the number of medieval tombstones and decorations, right behind the necropolis in Kalimanići.
In the village of Vraneši, a hamlet of Ploče, below the Illyrian hillfort is the Ploče necropolis. This necropolis contains 11 medieval tombstones, including 10 chests and 1 gable. The symbols present are a shield and a watermill, and the local phenomenon of finding stones on medieval tombstones, which has a special meaning in folk tradition, is particularly interesting.
The entire Sokolovići valley is rich in medieval tombstones, hillforts, tumuli, Bosnian church, and Roman stelae.
Thanks to our friend Marin from Sokolac for the information and guidance to the sites, and to Ejub, who drove us safely in his jeep.
Translated by Prijevodi.ba
