The Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme for South Eastern Europe REReP Record

Fortifying the environment The old fortress of Gradina and the modern town of Doboj that lies beneath it are situated in the northern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina where the Balkan Mountains gently descend into the Pannonian Valley. Today, when every Bosnian hopes that hard times are behind so they can once again be creative and enjoy life, some welcome news has arrived from Doboj: after 150 years of negligence and deterioration, the Medieval fortress has been reconstructed. The project has been carried out as part of a sustainable development initiative by the Doboj Municipality. This fortress was built in the 13th century at the delta of the Usora and Spreca rivers, which, together with almost ideal climatic conditions, provide for fertile farmland. Over the centuries, the settlement here has been an important crossroads and a frequent object of conquest by various political interests. Archaeologists determined that this fortification was built in 13th century after they found jewellery in several tombs in the area identical to pieces found in the cemetery of Crkvina, located nearby in the upper part of the Usora River delta. The discovery points to the fact that a settlement of some sort existed here from the 9th century — until it was moved in the 13th century to the location where the fortress was built. In the 1970s, scientists excavated the interior of the southern tower and discovered an octagonally shaped predecessor whose characteristics led to the conclusion it was built in the 14th to mid-15th centuries on the foundations of an even older tower whose sharply rounded angles point to 13th century origins. Ceramic items made in the second half of the 13th century were also found by the foundations of the southern tower. BRICK BY BRICK: Restoration of its Medieval fortress was Doboj’s opening gambit to build a tourism industry. The reconstruction of the Gradina fortress is, without doubt, a significant resurrection of Bosnian cultural heritage. The reconstruction was included in the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) of Bosnia and the Local Environmental Action Plan (LEAP) for the Municipality of Doboj. The Doboj fortress is a vital cultural and historic monument that had been tragically neglected along with many others in the area. This is why its restoration has attracted so much attention from the public and press, explained Miodrag Bosic of the Organisation for Tourism Promotion in the Region ROTOR. But the LEAP underscores environmental priorities, as well. “Such [irresponsible] attitudes towards several similar symbols of cultural and historic heritage have contributed to the devastation of the whole area. In the case of the Doboj fortress, the negligence caused various forms of contamination, deterioration of the towers, implosion of the walls and the creation of various illegal waste dumps inside the fortress,” said Bosic. Stark contrast Bosic deserves most of the credit for reconstruction of the fortress that today stands like a beacon on the hill above the main road, part of the pan-European transport corridor 5C. Unfortunately, the impressive facelift of the fortress stands in contrast to the country’s namesake river, the Bosna, which desperately needs environmental revitalisation. The littered river banks juxtaposed with the beautifully reclaimed fortress mirror scenes throughout the country, Bosic noted. Many positive steps have been made in Bosnia, but it still remains to clean up the pollution that fouls the landscape (and, in another sense, the political scene). “This problem might appear too difficult to solve, but I believe that the recipe for this undertaking is rather simple — good ideas must be given a chance,” Bosic said. The Organisation for Tourism Promotion of the Doboj Region initiated the fortress reconstruction by applying for funding with the Municipality of Doboj as a partner and co-funder. The Swedish International Developmental Agency, Sida, gave support through the Regional Environmental Center (REC). The project was launched in February 2006 and was completed in 10 months. Economic benefits The potential benefits from the reconstruction of the fortress are significant, not only for the residents of the Doboj area, but for the country, which can use such historic attractions as the basis for a tourism industry; the Doboj area is already hosting increasing numbers of holiday makers. The reconstruction has given an incentive to residents of Doboj to get involved in the cultural life of the town, and to shake them from the depression that has enshrouded the community since the end of the war. At the foot of the Vidikovac Tower merchants hawk souvenirs, a traditional coffee shop pours beverages, and an exhibition dubbed “Graphics of old Doboj” beckons visitors. During the summer, the first International Eco-Historic Volunteer Camp was organised, attracting a number of young people for a week of activities and volunteer work aimed at cleaning up the access paths and surrounding grounds. With these encouraging results, Doboj invested in a promotional video that was broadcast on local TV stations to promote further summer eco-camps and the fortress in general. Jasmin Maricic is an environmental journalist based in Sarajevo.

REReP Record Home