Stari Brod Memorial Complex and Museum
Description
The Stari Brod Memorial Complex near Višegrad is a memorial complex built in memory of the victims of the crime committed in the spring of 1942, when more than 6,000 Serbian civilians fleeing toward Serbia were killed in this area along the Drina. The crime was kept silent for more than half a century. In 2008, the memorial was erected, in 2014 the memorial chapel was consecrated, and in 2019 the memorial museum was built according to the design of architect Novica Motika.
The museum features 27 sculptures with 39 faces symbolizing flight. A special detail is the glass cantilever extending six steps above the Drina — each step symbolizes one thousand victims. Inside are photographs from 1942 and a wall inscribed with the names of the victims, along with a voice installation that speaks their names and years of birth. The complex can be reached by boat or by car: the first 9 km are on asphalt, while the last 5 km are best travelled by off-road vehicle or on foot.
Sculptures in the Drina
The central visual element of the memorial complex is the sculptures in the water — 27 figures with 39 faces placed in the riverbed and along the bank of the Drina. The sculptures symbolize flight: mothers with children in their arms entering the swollen river. Depending on the water level of the Drina, a different number of figures emerges from the water, and the scene looks different in every season. This is no coincidence — the river and memory remain in constant dialogue.
The Museum and the Six Steps
The interior of the museum was shaped by the architecture of memory. A voice installation speaks the names and years of birth of the victims, and a wall inscribed with names reminds visitors of the scale of the loss. The most unusual and powerful detail is the glass cantilever: six steps above the Drina, with the river visible below. Each step symbolizes one thousand victims. Walking along that corridor means physically feeling the magnitude of the tragic number.
How to get there?
Stari Brod used to be accessible only by boat — the road was not opened until the end of 2020. The first 9 kilometres from Višegrad are an asphalt road suitable for passenger cars, but the last 5 kilometres from the village of Miloševići to the complex itself are unpaved.
It is also recommended only for off-road vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Arriving by boat from Višegrad remains an attractive alternative and offers a unique view of the complex from the river. It is recommended to check the current road conditions and boat schedules with the Višegrad Tourist Organization before departure.
