The Foundation “Heritage Watchdogs – Bassania” has received information from its associate in Tešanj about the renewed endangerment of the medieval tombstone necropolis Staro greblje (also known as Svatovsko greblje) in the village of Bobare near Tešanj.
Construction works are currently being carried out on the site: excavations, concreting, and the installation of pillars measuring 3.5 meters in height and 50 cm in diameter. The works are being undertaken by the investor Hajro Planjac, owner of the publishing and printing company Planjax. This represents a second severe disturbance of this protected site by the same individual. Last year, at the very same location, a billboard was installed and a trench was dug for an electric cable intended for lighting.
The necropolis had already been devastated earlier – Šefik Bešlagić, in his records, noted four chest-shaped medieval tombstones, while today only two remain visible. Considering that the current construction is taking place merely 35 meters from the necropolis, there is a justified concern that it may lead to further damage or even the complete destruction of this valuable cultural and historical site.
The Foundation calls upon the Mayor of Tešanj, Suad Huskić, and the Director of the Tešanj Regional Museum, Mensura Mujkanović, to urgently visit the site together with the competent inspection authorities and establish the factual situation in order to prevent any further devastation of the necropolis in Bobare.
