Crljivica is a fascinating archaeological site nestled between Cista Velika and Cista Provo, recognized for its rich historical layers and protected under UNESCO’s heritage list. This significant location lies along the state road D60, approximately 200 meters in length, between Trilj and Imotski. The road divides the complex into two sections: Mala Crljivica to the south and Velika Crljivica to the north.
Geographical Significance
Situated in Croatia’s inland, Crljivica is not just a point on the map but a crucial part of the region’s history. The state road D60, which currently bisects the site, is a modern overlay on what was once a Roman road connecting the ancient cities of Salona, Tilurium, Novae, and Narona. This historic pathway has seen the evolution of the area over millennia.
Historical Layers
Crljivica’s history is as layered as its terrain, with three distinct phases of development. The earliest phase dates back to the Bronze Age, marked by two tumuli—Velika and Mala Crljivica. These burial mounds later became the foundation for a medieval cemetery featuring over 80 stećci (medieval tombstones). These stećci, some ornately decorated with crosses, hunting scenes, and floral motifs, represent the largest collection of such monuments in Dalmatia and Croatia.
During the Roman era, the ancient road that once crossed the tumuli became a vital connection between major Roman settlements. In the medieval period, a cemetery flourished here, with more than 80 stećci of various forms—sarcophagi, chest-shaped, and slab-like stones—dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.
To the south of Velika Crljivica lies a significant karst sinkhole containing seven wells, dating back to the medieval period or earlier. These wells, once a critical water source for both people and livestock, fell into disrepair by the late 20th century but were restored in 1990 by a group of locals.
Archaeological Discoveries
The site has revealed much about the region’s past, including a small stećak found during the cleaning of nearby wells. According to local legend, the stećak marks the site of a church buried under a pile of stones during the Ottoman invasions. It is said that treasures were buried alongside a bell, and anyone who tries to excavate the site will be cursed with illness and failed crops.
The northern part of Crljivica, known as Crljivica-Zgon, has also been a site of significant archaeological interest. Excavations in 2004 uncovered 17 graves oriented northwest-southeast, dating from the Ottoman period or shortly after the liberation of the Imotski region from Turkish rule. The discovery of a Roman coin from Emperor Aurelian’s time suggests that the site may have been intermittently occupied by ancient inhabitants.
Protected Status
Crljivica is a protected archaeological zone, classified as a “cultural and historical entity” under the designation Z-3011. It is part of a broader UNESCO World Heritage listing that includes cultural heritage sites across Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia.