Borovci: Local History and Archaeological Sites

Local history and archaeological sites can help you plan a trip to Borovci. Points of interest include the Church of St. Nicholas, Vratar on Gradina, and the stećci of Zanoga. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Borovci, these themes can help you choose the focus of your stay: church architecture, the location of and route to an archaeological site, or a site with stećci.

Vratar: Location and route

The ruins of Vratar stand on Gradina between the hamlets of Vratar and Rastočići in Borovci, about 97 meters above sea level. In 2012, Croatia’s cultural heritage authorities declared the archaeological site protected cultural property. The location and protection status are separate points of reference: Gradina identifies the site of the ruins, while 2012 is the year they were granted protected status.

A rough goat path leads uphill from the road at the entrance to Borovci, in the hamlet of Rastočići, to the ruins in about 30 minutes. Trail conditions may change. When planning, allow for both the approximate time required and the climb and condition of the path.

The Church of St. Nicholas

The Church of St. Nicholas in Borovci was recorded in 1672. According to the local parish, it contains remains of an earlier Romanesque church that may date from the 13th century. The building was expanded in 1858. The dates refer to different aspects: the possible Romanesque origins concern the older remains, 1672 is when the church was recorded, and 1858 is when it was expanded.

This means that several points in time are associated with the building, but they do not refer to the same event. Those interested in architectural history can distinguish the possible dating of the older remains from the later expansion. The church is a historical point of interest in its own right, separate from the archaeological site of Vratar.

Zanoga and the stećci

The Zanoga site in Borovci is part of the protected Staza stećaka area. There, 44 unadorned stećci are grouped around a tumulus. Zanoga’s cemetery lies near a stream along the route toward Vratar Fortress and onward into the Neretva Valley. The grouping of the stećci and the cemetery’s location offer different spatial points of reference for this part of Borovci.

The area’s features can thus be considered by theme: at Vratar, the location, protected status, and described climb are important; in Zanoga, the group of stećci and the cemetery’s location are the focus. Along with the architectural history of the Church of St. Nicholas, these offer several concrete points of interest to help you plan your trip.

A regional perspective on Općina Kula Norinska

The wider destination of Općina Kula Norinska also includes Kula Norinska Fortress, a monumental 16th-century fortress on the Neretva, opposite the mouth of its tributary, the Norin. Modro oko and Lake Desne form the protected landscape of Modro oko. The area is a partially flooded karst depression on the right bank of the Neretva, connected to it by the Desanka and Crna rivers.

In the background is Mount Velika Rujnica, which rises to 618 meters. The landscape includes endangered habitats and is important for bird migration and overwintering. These regional features offer a different perspective from the architectural history and archaeological sites in Borovci: here, the focus is on landforms, river connections, and birdlife.

Events in the wider destination

Events also offer a distinct regional connection. The Maraton lađa is an amateur sporting competition featuring traditional boats on the Neretva, held annually on the second Saturday in August. At the Toćijada in Momići, the focus is a competition to prepare toć. Under the organizers’ rules, toć is cooked with three types of meat and can be sampled by all visitors.

The Feast of St. Jure in Desne is considered a centuries-old tradition and includes a Mass, procession, and folk festival. Check current event dates when making specific travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Kula Norinska

For the wider travel overview: Općina Kula Norinska.