Gatačko karst field - spacious and magical
The spacious and grassy surfaces of the Gatacko field and the slowed-down herd of cows that walked leisurely on the road and slowed down the traffic in some places irresistibly reminded me of Argentine pampas, but that's where all the similarities end.
Gatačko polje is a typical karst field. This spacious, fertile, and flat depression with steep sides, with two rivers sinking at the ends of the field, and occasionally flooding the field, is located between the mountains Bjelasnica and Lebršnik, at about 1000 meters above sea level.
Karst fields are the largest karst form of relief and as such are not common, because their formation requires a large, deep, and clean limestone mass, such as in the Dinarides. Such limestone is not common, it is found in Jamaica, Asia Minor, Cuba, the Peloponnese.
The Dinaric karst was studied by the Serbian geographer Jovan Cvijić, who introduced the word karst into scientific terminology, as well as the karst forms of relief that he studied in these parts.
Lake Vrba (Willow)
Not far from Gatacko polje, the construction of the dam created the largest water accumulation in the municipality of Gacko, the largest settlement in the Gatacko field - Lake Vrba. This beautiful lake is located at 1060 meters above sea level. Lake Vrba is the reason why we turned off the road and rested from a long drive looking at its calm surface. A picture speaks louder than words.
Lake Vrba is a picnic spot for the locals, it is warm and suitable for swimming and fishing, but that's all for now. There are plans to make it better exploited for tourism, but for now, enjoying the beautiful views is the only thing this lake has to offer. That was enough for me.
Valley of Heroes - "Nobody died there who died"
"Are you nostalgic" - a thin tall man asks me, obviously one of the organizers of the museum dedicated to the once-famous Valley of Heroes.
"Well... no, I was born when Tito had already died" - And I really was not a witness of Tito's time, when the lifelong president of Yugoslavia was the master of life and death, his dictatorship and ideology. When you mention Tito today, opinions are different. Someone is very nostalgic for the time of the strong middle class. But on the other hand, it was a time when life was lost due to mispronounced words, well-organized secret services, banned books, and songs, exiles intellectuals, all for the glory and glorification of one name.
In this beautiful place, between Zelengora, Maglić, Vučevo, and other peaks, not far from the largest Balkan virgin forest Perućica, there is an impressive and huge monument, as well as a memorial ossuary with 3301 killed partisans in the battle of Sutjeska in 1943. This place is called symbolically "Valley of Heroes" because in the unequal battle between 120,000 German soldiers and 20,000 partisans that lasted a month killed more than 7,000 partisans.
Huge concrete monuments made in the real-socialist style were a symbol of the fight against fascism and in a way part of the ideology that was built around Tito, the supreme commander and lifelong president of Yugoslavia. There are approximately over 15,000 of them in the former Yugoslavia, and this monument is the most impressive of all. 19 meters high, presented in the shape of huge wings, symbolizes the fight for freedom.
It is estimated that this monument was visited by a million visitors a year, and today it is almost forgotten. Every time has its heroes. Tito died a long time ago, Yugoslavia fell apart in the most brutal way, and two huge white wings are waiting for some new times and some new tourists. And indeed, there are more and more of them. When we were,for example there were tourists from China and Russia.
Authentic scenes of Bosnia and Herzegovina, beautiful landscapes, wild and untouched nature will invite you again and again to visit, feel and explore it again. This is just a small part of the beauty of nature that I showed you with this story. And the story will be more ...
With love,
Snežana
Note: I found some information about the monument in the encyclopedia I have at home "Čudesna Jugoslavia" (Svetlost, 1985).
Wow you have an amazingly powerful history and knowledge of it.
Thank you very much for your content and wow that is something phenomenal traveling and glimpses into a world that I had no idea that existed.
I have heard quite a few of the world War II stories and know of the horrific brutality.
The words work makes you free and final solution as well as never again come to mind.
Bravery of the people of Stalingrad and multiple invasions with entire countries responding. In fact if it hadn't been for the Germans destroying themselves from within the world would be speaking German today.
In fact actually American nearly spoke German and as well also nearly join the war on the Axis side.
Thank you so much for the comment @ganjafarmer and I’m glad you like my story.😊 History is the teacher of life, we have learned something, but, I am afraid, we have not learned much. I live in a country and region with too much history and honestly, I wish it was a lot less. The struggle for freedom is a continuous process that has lasted since the beginning of humanity and will continue to do so. All the Best!😀
I really wish that more people here in America had that few and the connection with our history as well as that burning desire for freedom and liberty.
As well as the events in our news give us even more worries that the lesson so many people fought and died for have gone repeated again.
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Wow what beautiful landscape! And the monument looks amazing!
Thank you @vcclothing. The scenery is truly amazing. Thanks for the comment. Regards!
the plain looks like a golden plain, a very nice place.
It's wonderful indeed! Thanks for stopping by.😊
Photography besides being a passion allows us to transmit knowledge and experiences, beautiful places that you have captured, the monument is phenomenal ...
That's right, nicely said :) Thank you very much. Nature here is fantastic, but this is only a small part. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers!
ni ce
Thank you!
The gray sky and clouds create such a great contrast with the valley and nature, I love that!
Cool monuments too! Even though monuments usually represent a sad period from the past, their architecture makes more curious ones to stop by and learn a little bit more from the past, which is always a good thing making you appreciate more what you currently have.
The sky was dramatic and dynamic :)
The monument is truly amazing and fits perfectly into the greenery and surroundings. Regardless of the historical circumstances, the essence of the fight for freedom is eternal, and this monument reminds us of the price of freedom and that it is a continuous struggle. Thank you!😊 Have a nice evening!
Indeed. Hopefully things will look brighter in the near future..
Have a nice evening too! 😃
I just love it - the nature, history, and the soul you put into this story 💚
Nothing without a soul :) Thank you very much! I'm glad you like the story. Regards!
is the rock really shaped like that naturally? or indeed formed using a chisel
The monument is made of concrete. Thanks for stopping by!
That monument is really impressive! In the middle of nature, it looks gigantic
It is fascinating and provokes emotions, regardless of the fact that historical circumstances have changed.There are many great monuments from that period, but this one is the most impressive. Thank you very much for the comment.
You're welcome, I liked the article
Beautiful post, @ladysnowhite. So much history of our former country in it.
Nice post as always. Have some !LUV and !PIZZA
Hvala ❤️😊
Wow... what a nice write up, am new here but i so much love this
Thank you! I wish you a lot of success here.😊
Thanks so much, please, if there is any tips or help you can render for me to be successful here, do not hesitate.
Thanks so much once again
Great love