Geopark Biokovo-Imotski Lakes


Cultural heritage 


In the Biokovo-Imotski Lakes Geopark area which stretches across approximately 430 km², there are a couple of hundred locations with preserved traces of human activity from all historical periods, nowadays generally referred to as cultural heritage. Among these, the most numerous are  archaeological sites, especially prehistoric fortifications and stone burial mounds. However, there are also those dating from Antiquity and the Middle Ages. As far as medieval heritage, the stećak tombstones were found at a couple of sites in the Geopark area and its immediate vicinity (Zagvozd – Vukov greb and the All Saints' Church, Rastovac – The Church of the Holy Cross, Župa – the Church of St. John and Luetići, Berinovac, Proložac - Čanjevice, Slivno – Grebnik, etc.). These are highly unique and specific medieval tombstones, found only in the southern parts of Croatia, a greater part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the western parts of Montenegro and Serbia. Due to their authenticity and level of preservation, some of the localities with tombstones (28) have been declared as UNESCO world heritage sites (WHC 1504, Stećci - Medieval Tombstone Graveyards). One of such sites is located in Cista Velika (Crljivica), which is 15 km away from the Geopark. Due to such a large number of protected and recorded sites, we will select only the more important ones in order to show the richness and diversity of cultural heritage in the area of the Geopark. All other sites can also eventually be included in the Geopark's cultural heritage brochure. Great care is taken for cultural heritage. A great number of sites here listed – Kotišina, Perinuša, Manastir, Grad, the Franciscan monastery and church in Imotski, Opačac, churches in the town of Zagvozd, etc. - are currently being researched and/or restored. Renovation of some of them has already been completed. As far as promotion, preservation, education and the presentation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, the Makarska City Museum as well as the Imotski Local History Museum are the prominent institutions that showcase historical, ethnographic, artistic and scientific topics through various exhibitions. Each exhibition also features professional guides and workshops in order to better inform the visitors and realize the self-sustainability of projects and activities. Together with our partners, the Tourist Association and the Department of Conservation, museums promote the heritage of this area by organizing guest exhibitions across Croatia and the region. The goal of these activities implemented by the museums is to raise awareness about the need for education, preservation and the protection of the places and landscapes we inhabit. By promoting not only the local cultural heritage, but also the local natural heritage, intertwined with and woven into the traditional tapestry of local life, the museum reflects the identity of a unique karstic phenomena.