On Wednesday, 20 March 2024, the Director of the Institute for the Protection of Monuments, Robert Stergar and the employee of the Institute, Azra Tunović visited the City of Čapljina and met with the Mayor Smiljan Vidić and his assistant for spatial planning and construction Irena Bakalar Bulum.

The aim of the visit was to to gather information about the Počitelj protection zone, the national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina and at the same time the most valuable historical urban landscape in the country, related to functioning of Počitelj in terms of communal and service jobs, as well as tourist activities.

The meeting attendants discussed the way of management, responsibility and the current situation in Počitelj, related to infrastructure and utilities. It was concluded that misunderstandings, mistrust and “noise” in communication between all stakeholders were evident. Therefore, it is necessary to take steps with the aim of organising and rationalising the process of managing the historical city area of ​​Počitelj. Innovations were proposed in terms of creating a sustainable system that would include charging the parking fee and organising maintenance services and protective zones. Ways of organising tourist visits such as the movement of tourists and other functions necessary for a nicer and more pleasant stay in Počitelj were suggested. Furthermore, they discussed the removal of illegal landfills from Počitelj and the surrounding area, as well as the creation of a system for removing visitors’ small waste.

At the meeting, the current devastation related to the installation of a steel structure at the very entrance to Počitelj was reported, which the inspection was informed about. After the meeting in the premises of the City of Čapljina, the representatives of the Institute for the Protection of Monuments visited Počitelj.