Zidine: Stećak Necropolis and Regional History

Zidine draws attention to cultural history: a Stećak necropolis is located at the find site, and Zidine near Kopači is designated as a settlement from the Roman period. In the narrower sense, Novo Goražde comprises six settlements: Sopotnica, Zidine, Slatina, Kopači, Mašići and Gradac. When planning your trip, you can combine the cultural focus of the place with other historical and natural themes in the region.

Cultural History in Zidine and Novo Goražde

In the municipality of Novo Goražde, Samobor stands on a cliff on Mount Gostun near Ustiprača, overlooking the Janjina Gorge. Samobor is a state-protected national monument; it was first mentioned in writing in 1397. The remains can only be accessed from the south, from the direction of Čajniče. Take this direction into account when planning your visit, and check the current access conditions beforehand.

The Church of St. George in Donja Sopotnica was built in 1446. Another part of the region’s history is connected with the Goražde printing house: it was the first printing house in the territory of present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, operated until 1523, and printed three books. The church’s construction date and the printing house’s period of operation offer different historical reference points—from a building to early printing.

The cultural perspective thus extends from the necropolis and the Roman-period settlement designation in Zidine to Samobor, and then to the church and printing history in the wider area. Each place and theme can be considered on its own, without combining them into a single attraction.

Memorial Site at Zidine Cemetery

At the local Zidine cemetery in Kopači stands a monument erected on June 10, 2017, to 126 Bosniaks who were killed in 1941. The monument bears the names of 36 victims and is modeled after a Stećak. Zidine therefore brings together two distinct Stećak references: the necropolis at the find site and a memorial whose form is based on a Stećak. The comparison also highlights the difference between an archaeological site and a memorial.

Activities and Events in the Region

Regional activities on the Drina include rafting, inflatable boat rides and kayaking. Swimming, fishing, camping and day trips are also offered on the Drina; availability may vary by season. These activities complement the cultural focus with options around the river, without requiring travel during any particular time of year.

Cycling is also an option in the nearby regional area of the Bosnian-Podrinje Canton of Goražde: there are 92 km of developed cycling routes that pass through natural landscapes and by significant cultural and historical sites. Route conditions may change. As a recurring event, the International Friendship Festival is held every year in the first week of August in the nearby regional area of Goražde, with music, workshops and sports activities.

There are different timing considerations when planning: for the festival, it is worth checking the specific event dates; Drina activities may depend on the season. This lets you weigh cultural events, cycling and river activities according to the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Tjentište, Doboj, Vrhovina, Ugljevik, Popov Most, Prnjavor, Jablanica, Lukavica.

Go to the broader travel overview: Republika Srpska.