Stećak

A Stećak [ stetɕak ] ( stojećak from the Serbo-Croat form stojati from the pre-Slavic verb = upright ), plural Stecci [ stetɕtsi ], is a medieval grave stone of a certain form, often referred in Herzegovina, Südbosnien and adjacent parts of Dalmatia and rarely in more distant regions of Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro will. More than 58,000 are now listed many of which date back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

In the Herzegovina are found in Stolac (graveyard Radimlja ), near the Blidinje lake and in the area of Gacko especially many such grave stones.

Forms, motifs and inscriptions

The Stecci two forms were in use: plates, as they are also found in parts of Europe and upstanding walls blocks as they occur mainly in Bosnia.

Nearly 6,000 are decorated with bas-reliefs showing human figures. Frequently scenes from everyday life, hunting or jousting and symbols such as crosses or crescents on these are shown. Sometimes they are also with inscriptions such as "Please do not disturb me, I was like you and you'll be like me. " In Scripture Bosančica provided.

Origin

Since the range of the Stecci mainly with the distribution area of ​​the Bosnian Church covers, and this church was equated with the Church of the Bogomils, the Stecci long been regarded as Bogomil grave stones. But it is generally accepted today that it is not in the stones around remnant of the medieval religious community of the Bogomils, but are ordinary grave stones by members of the Bosnian Church. Some Stecci may show in their motives remains local pagan myths and rituals, with heraldic symbols they have been set the status of a regional Slavic nobles or the deeds of men for the.