The prehistoric hillfort and Roman castrum (kaštel) of Veliki Gradac is located on the prominent Velika Gradina hill, at an elevation of 725 m, situated between the valleys of the Kraljušnica and Goduščica rivers.
At the highest part of the Gradina lies “Vis,” an elongated plateau (approx. 40 × 30 m), defended on the southern side by two concentric embankments. Ruins of a fortification with an enclosure (obor) and a tower are visible, along with a large amount of broken pottery scattered all around the Vis plateau. The site dates back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as the Roman period.
The hillfort dominates the junction of the villages of Buci, Goduša, and Kralupi, serving as a crossroads for routes leading toward Lepenica, Visoko, and Rakovica (Sarajevo) via Bioča. Below Veliki Gradac lies Mali Gradac, which served as an outpost, while directly opposite is the old town of Bedem, forming a circular defense of this area.
Veliki Gradac was first recorded by I. Bojanovski in 1984, and the site is included in the Archaeological Lexicon of BiH.
We extend our gratitude to our friend Mahir from Goduša, who drove us to the hillfort in his off-road vehicle.
