Jablanica – Museum of the Battle for the Wounded at Neretva
Museum of the battle from World War II
Whether you’re a history lover, or just want to know more about Bosnia and Herzegovina and its rich history, this is the read for you.
In the city of Jablanica, on the main road between Mostar and Sarajevo, you can find a unique museum. It is called Museum of the Battle for the Wounded at Neretva and is a reminder on one of the most famous battles in World War II. It was also one of the most unlikely victories as well as the trickiest war maneuvers! Keep reading to find more about it.
The battle is simply called „The Battle on the river Neretva“. The museum is located in the center of the city, next to a blown-up bridge, which is a symbol of this battle. The bridge represents its most important exhibit and it is very special for people from this city. It reminds them of the heroic battle and the victory that they, their fathers and grandfathers, have won.
The story behind a museum – Battle on the river Neretva
„The Battle on the river Neretva “, also known under a German code name „Fall Weiss“, was the strategic plan of The Axis forces against the Yugoslav partisan movement on today’s territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The attacks began on January 20th, 1943, and partisans were largely outnumbered in it. The Axis forces had 127 000 soldiers, strong artillery, tanks, and 15 warplanes, comparing to partisan’s 18 000 soldiers. Axis’ strong attacks started in north-western Bosnia and part of today’s Croatia, and partisans were forced to retreat. They pulled back all the way to south-east, to the river Neretva. On their way, they carried almost 4 000 wounded soldiers with them! That’s why this battle is often called „The most human battle in WW II“. Even now, if you visit Jablanica, you will see the sign „We cannot leave the wounded“, words of the president of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito.
One of the trickiest war maneuvers
After Tito’s orders, partisans destroyed all the bridges behind them. When everyone expected partisans will head north, and not east across Neretva, Tito ordered destroying the railway bridge in Jablanica. Which they did, and while the train was crossing it! That was a bold and tricky decision, which nobody expected, especially The Axis forces. They deployed all their troops up north, in the valley of river Vrbas, waiting for partisans.
After blowing up the bridge, a new and improvised wooden bridge was built in only 19 hours, and it was a salvation for partisans and the wounded, after which they headed to mountain Prenj. You can still find a war memorial on Prenj dedicated to partisans who climbed this beautiful but cruel mountain. This hard battle ended on March 31st, with partisans coming out of it as winners. It went out in history as one of the most difficult battles of WWII and victories against all the odds.
The most expensive film ever made in Yugoslavia
On the place of the blown-up bridge, Germans built another one in August 1943. The bridge was blown up again for the purposes of making a film „Battle at the river Neretva“. One of the most prominent actors of that time starred in the film, like Yul Brynner, Orson Welles, Franco Nero, and others. It was nominated for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Pablo Picasso made one of the posters, making it one of the two he made in his entire career! Being a huge fan of Yugoslavian cinematography, he didn’t want to take any money, but only a case of best Yugoslav wines.
The film was the most expensive in ex Yugoslavia. It costed between 4,5 and 12 million $, today’s equivalent of 70 million $! 350 million people from over the world saw the film. It also had over 10 000 extras, slightly less than Kubrick’s „Spartak“. Impressive, isn’t it?
Now back to the museum! On the 12th of November 1978, Josip Broz Tito opened it himself, on occasion of making the 35th anniversary of the battle on Neretva. Today, the overall surface of the museum is 3312 square meters. Inside you can find a lot of interesting things, from photos from that period, original documents, 3D objects, brigade flags and much more. Besides the exhibition of “Battle on Neretva,” you can also find exhibits of the 4th corps of Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Jablanica ethnic house. Also, in museum, you can find a city library with more than 10.000 books. Near the museum, you will also see a life-size replica of old locomotive series 73, used in railway bridge explosion.
Jablanica – Balkans’ most famous lamb
The blown-up bridge in Jablanica still hangs from the cliffs into the turquoise Neretva river, as a reminder of great partisan’s victory. The entire memorial complex is proclaimed for National monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
If you drive from Sarajevo to Mostar or the other way around, you can’t miss it. So now you know the story behind the museum and the bridge, we’re sure you’ll stop by and visit it, and take a glimpse of the rich history of our country. Besides the museum and history behind it, Jablanica has a lot more to offer. It has a stunning nature surrounding it, from beautiful mountains Prenj and Čvrsnica, green Neretva and Jablaničko Lake to breathtaking Blidinje Nature Park. But Jablanica has delicious gastronomy as well. We recommend you to try „jagnjetina“, a famous Jablanica roasted lamb meat. There are a lot of good restaurants on the main road serving it, few with a great view over Neretva.
Jablanica was famous for its lamb meat and restaurants serving it across all of the former Yugoslavia. Even today, it is still one of the favorite spots to stop by and eat for people from the region. But not only them, but many tourists also stop by here and eat as well. After trying this delicious local specialty, take a good rest, and head on with your journey through this amazing country!
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