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.

