Archeological Treasure - Catacombs in Jajce

Catacombs in Jajce, a Christian religious building, are a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In written records name Jajce was first mentioned in 1396 in the time of the rule of Hrvoje Vukčić Hrvatinić when the town is experiencing political and cultural development. It is assumed that at that time catacombs were built in the living rock as a tomb for him and his family. In front of the entrance to the narthex (entrance porch), on the rock in the lobby on the left and right side of the door, two unfinished figures are engraved. The male figure holds the lowered sword in the left hand with a coat of arms, probably a coat of Hrvoje Vukčić Hrvatinić. Engraved female figure has a heraldic mark in her left hand. Narthex, from which enters the main part of the room, is partially built with the stone and covered with a barrel vault. Above the baptistery there are bow openings. In the main part of the church, along the side walls, tombs are located on the floor. On the left side there is a hollow on which a double cross is engraved, and to the right and left from it there are the sun and the crescent moon. From the main room the four pillar goes into the crypt with an altar that has perforation in the form of a double cross, also with the sun and the crescent moon.

(Željka Šaravanja)