The team of the Foundation “Heritage Watchdogs – Bassania” visited Gradac on Ilinjača, also known as the old town of Katera, located in Gornji Kotorac, East Sarajevo. This prehistoric Illyrian hillfort sits atop a hill overlooking the Butmir Valley and the Željeznica River, making it an exceptionally important archaeological site.
The hillfort dates back to the Illyrian period, and in the early Middle Ages, during the reign of Emperor Justinian, it became the fortress of Katera, mentioned in the 10th-century work De administrando imperio by Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus. The fortress measures 150 x 40 meters, and within it lies a late antique basilica measuring 17 x 11 meters. In the 20th century, renowned archaeologists Čurčić, Skarić, Govedarica, and Fekeža conducted research here.
Unfortunately, despite the significance of this site, Gradac is today in extremely poor condition. The national monument has been damaged by the construction of a telecommunications repeater in the center of the fortress, while the rest of the site is nearly impassable due to dense shrubs and thorny vegetation.
Nevertheless, for those wishing to visit this exceptional site, the path to the top is accessible and paved. The Foundation “Heritage Watchdogs – Bassania” has additionally marked the route with red ribbons to facilitate visitors’ access to the hillfort summit.
We invite all history and nature enthusiasts to visit Gradac, experience its rich past, and enjoy the fantastic view of the Sarajevo valley. At the same time, we urge the relevant institutions to take the necessary measures to protect and revitalize this national monument.
