Zgošćanski stećak is one of the most significant and artistically valuable stećci discovered in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With its monumental size, rich ornamentation, and exceptional stone craftsmanship, it holds a special place among the medieval tombstones of Bosnia.
The stećak was discovered at the Crkvina necropolis in Donja Zgošća near Kakanj, between the royal centers of Bobovac and Kraljeva Sutjeska — an area of great political and cultural importance during the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. Its location further confirms the historical significance of this region.
In 1913, the monument was transferred to the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina together with a stone pillar found at the same site, following archaeological research led by the renowned archaeologist Ćiro Truhelka. Over the years, several conservation works have been carried out to preserve its structure and artistic details.
Today, the original Zgošća Stećak is displayed in the Botanical Garden of the National Museum in Sarajevo as part of a collection of medieval stone monuments declared a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Replicas of the stećak have been placed in front of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, as well as in the center of Kakanj, symbolically returning this cultural treasure to its homeland.
More than an archaeological artifact, the Zgošća Stećak is a stone witness of history — a symbol of cultural identity and a reminder of the rich heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
