When we were searching for this necropolis in the village of Potkom, Berkovići, our only reference point was the detail that it was located near an Orthodox cemetery. It took us some time to find our bearings, right up until we ran into our friend Đorđe, who led us to the exact location.
Adjacent to the Orthodox cemetery, approximately 200 exceptionally beautiful medieval tombstones are preserved in the form of slabs, chests, and sarcophagi. Notable among the decorative reliefs are bows and arrows, crescent moons, and humanoid crosses. Thanks to a small grove where goats graze, the necropolis is well-cleared and accessible for viewing.
The necropolis was first recorded by Nada Miletić, though rather modestly, considering this is one of the finest necropolises in Eastern Herzegovina. The medieval tombstones are oriented in a northwest–southeast direction and date to the Late Middle Ages.
In the immediate vicinity of this necropolis, about 500 meters away, lies the Crkvina site—a medieval church and a necropolis containing three medieval tombstones: two chests beside the church and one large slab inside the church itself. Not far from it is another necropolis with five chest monuments, first recorded by G. Komar.
The medieval church and the necropolis are oriented in a northwest–southeast direction, an alignment associated in literature with the Bosnian Church, although the church is used by the Orthodox community today. The foundation walls of the church can be dated to the 14th century and are attributed to the Pićević noble family.
The church is single-nave with a semicircular apse on the eastern side and an entrance on the western side. Inside the church, there is a medieval tombstone in the form of a slab, as well as a grave. Around the church are five additional medieval tombstones in the form of slabs. One medieval tombstone is decorated with a border of twisted ribbon and a shield with a sword. The site is dated to the Late Middle Ages and was first documented by V. Atanacković-Salčić.
Our thanks go to our friends Đorđe and Draženko from Berkovići, who showed us these sites.
