The impact of World War II on Serbia (then part of Yugoslavia) is impossible to overstate. Nowhere is this more evident than in the dozens of memorial parks scattered across cities, towns, and rolling hills. One of the lesser-known sites is tucked away near the village of Štulac, where a cluster of abstract sculptures perches atop a glade, marking the very place where countless victims lost their lives.
By: Omri Westmark
Date: 20:00 01.03.25
Last Update: 20:00 01.03.25
In the wake of the horrors of World War II, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia undertook an ambitious effort to memorialize its resistance against Axis forces. Across the country, monumental parks were built to honor the conflict’s innocent victims along with the partisans who had fought and fallen.
By transforming battle sites into architectural landmarks, the government ensured that the memory of partisan resistance remained a visible part of the landscape. Many of these monuments were designed to be more than mere places of remembrance; they were meant to provoke thought and remind future generations of the cost of war.
In October 1941, following the establishment of the short-lived Republic of Užice, Nazi forces launched a counteroffensive to reclaim lost territories and suppress the burgeoning resistance. A pivotal encounter occurred on Nebrak Hill, where approximately 300 poorly equipped partisan fighters faced a superior German infantry unit.
Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the partisans displayed remarkable valor, engaging in what is recognized as the first direct confrontation between Axis forces and Yugoslav rebels. The battle resulted in significant casualties among the partisans, who were ultimately compelled to retreat.
To commemorate these fallen heroes, local authorities opted to create the Popina Memorial Park in the late 1970s. Renowned architect and sculptor Bogdan Bogdanović, known for his distinctive monumental designs, was entrusted with crafting the memorial, which was completed in 1981. The park spans approximately 12 hectares and is situated on the site of the historic battle.
The memorial complex comprises four primary elements: a solitary circular portal, a 6-meter-wide, 20-meter-high triangular monolith with a cylindrical perforation, a triple circular portal, and a polished stone cube inscribed with Cyrillic text honoring the partisans. The triangular structure, often interpreted as a prism reflecting the souls of the fallen toward the afterlife, aligns symmetrically with the other components, creating a cohesive visual narrative. The cylindrical tunnel within the monolith also produces an echo effect that adds an interactive dimension to the experience.
Visitors access the memorial via a parking area along the E-761 road, where signage provides historical context. A partially overgrown pathway leads uphill, offering expansive views of the surrounding rural landscape. Be aware that as the trail ascends sharply in sections, it requires moderate physical effort.
Interestingly, despite the site’s sheer uniqueness, it has not garnered widespread recognition and remains relatively obscure, so much so that those who come here will likely have the entire place solely to themselves
The site’s entrance sign
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
photography by: Omri Westmark
