On the left bank of the Sava, opposite the mouth of the Una, Jasenovac lies within Lonjsko Polje Nature Park. The memorial site, local history and cycling routes offer different ways to explore the destination. Visitors interested in the history of the area will find that it is a central focus here; the river landscape and cycling routes offer another perspective.
Memorial Site and Museum
The memorial grounds are dominated by the Flower Monument by Bogdan Bogdanović. Earthen mounds and depressions mark the sites of former camp buildings and execution sites. The grounds also include an access path by the lake, a memorial train on the former camp railway, the Jasenovac Memorial Museum and the Education Centre. Together, these features lead visitors from the monument and landscape to the camp’s historical traces.
The permanent exhibition at the Jasenovac Memorial Museum places individual life stories in the context of mass crimes. The museum preserves and presents material connected with the Jasenovac camp and its prisoners. It was built immediately beside the inner area of the former Camp III Ciglana Jasenovac and opened on 4 July 1968.
At the Education Centre, young people learn to recognise, prevent and stop different forms of violence, and to protect potential victims. The centre encourages visitors to reflect on victims, the causes and perpetrators of crimes, resistance to crimes and their own attitudes towards violence. In this way, learning about the past is connected with questions of responsibility and how to address violence.
Traces in the Townscape
Historical points of interest can also be found beyond the memorial grounds. The Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary and Saint Nicholas, Bishop, stands in the centre of Jasenovac and was built in 1829. Buildings of the former Kožara labour group have also been preserved in Jasenovac. The church and former camp buildings point to different chapters in the town’s history.
Cycling Routes through Jasenovac
The 77.8-kilometre National Sava Cycling Route passes through Jasenovac after Drenov Bok and continues towards Novska. Another cycling route in the area is the SMĹ˝-1 route: from Jasenovac, at the confluence of the Una and the Sava, it continues along the settlements on the left bank of the Una. Check current route conditions before setting out, as they may change.
More to Explore in Općina Jasenovac
In the wider destination of Općina Jasenovac, Krapje adds traditional architecture to the area’s history and cultural heritage. The village has been recognised for its architectural heritage and is a rural settlement of international importance; its traditional vernacular architecture is listed in the Register of Cultural Properties. Since receiving this recognition in 1995, it has traditionally hosted the Day of Architectural Heritage every September.
The Palaić Family Ethnological Collection in Krapje contains more than 170 objects, mainly textiles, wood and ceramics. It illustrates the way of life, clothing, livelihoods, knowledge and skills of a typical family in Krapje. Most of the objects are housed in a traditional two-storey wooden house built in the Posavina architectural style.
Nature activities in the wider destination also have specific requirements. Birdwatching in the Krapje đol ornithological reserve is intended for groups of 10 to 20 people and takes place from April to August, on Saturdays only. The “Posavski konj” educational programme at the Krapje Visitor Centre is for visitor groups that have registered in advance. The Staza graničara hiking trail also starts from the visitor centre’s courtyard.
Another historical point of interest in Općina Jasenovac is Uštica. An Ustaša camp for Roma was located there from 1942 to 1945. The Roma cemetery in Uštica contains 21 graves and covers a total area of 4,292 square metres.
Discover more destinations: Uštica, Krapje.
View the wider travel overview: Općina Jasenovac.
