The team of the Foundation “Heritage Watchdogs – Bassania”, Emir and Feđa, continued their exploration of Illyrian hillforts around Sarajevo last Saturday. For the day, we set an ambitious goal—to visit five hillforts.
The adventure began with a visit to Velika and Mala Gradina in Faletići, located above the spring of the Mošćanica, on a large sheltered rock that drops steeply toward the Suhodolski Stream, which flows below the hillfort into the Mošćanica River.
According to research by Lidija Fekeža, these prehistoric hillforts were inhabited during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Below the hillfort, at the spring of the Mošćanica, an Illyrian spear was discovered.
Mala Gradina served as an outpost for Velika Gradina, and the remains of the connecting path and dry-stone walls are still visible today. Velika Gradina is notable for its strong defensive walls made of natural rock, a clearly visible southern entrance, as well as a well and stone remains of residential structures. Given the terrain configuration, it can be assumed that daily life took place in the lower settlement, in the area of present-day Faletići.
Interestingly, another hillfort Obhodža is located at the confluence of the Mošćanica and the Miljacka. However, due to the extremely difficult terrain, its visit has been postponed for another occasion when we are better prepared and equipped.
