Military Cemetery - Proto-Arch

The cemetery in Gospino Polje is preserved as a valuable but insufficiently recognized part of Dubrovnik’s monumental heritage, testifying to historical changes during the 19th and 20th centuries. The original cemetery plan from 1845 is kept in the State Archives in Dubrovnik. During World War II, the cemetery was expanded and decorated with an ossuary, but after 1944 it was neglected and systematically degraded. The cemetery renovation project includes conservation, park landscaping and valorisation, with an emphasis on preserving historical authenticity. The planned renovation includes cleaning the environment, restoring grave sites and arranging paths, with the addition of lighting and information content. Special attention is paid to the historical significance of the cemetery, which testifies to the diversity of social classes, peoples and religions, making it a place of collective memory and reconciliation.

The project envisages the introduction of the Stations of the Cross and the arrangement of a central path that encircles the space for occasional commemorations. Informative signs and signage will ensure accessibility for visitors, raising awareness of the significance of this historical space. The renovated cemetery will be integrated into the urban fabric of the city as a place of remembrance and tranquillity. With the return of dignity to this space, it will become a symbol of reconciliation with the past, preserving the memory of the identities and events that shaped Dubrovnik.