Rudo Polje: Stećci Necropolises and Sternbergia

Around 50 specimens of Sternbergia colchiciflora were observed near Rudo Polje. The plant habitat consists of xerothermic grassland within degraded forests of Quercus petraea and Quercus cerris. In the regional assessment, the species is classified as endangered; in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is classified as “Data Deficient”. The classification of the plant populations therefore sets the short flowering period, the specific landscape type and two different classifications alongside one another.

Rudo Polje is home to a medieval necropolis with Stećci tombstones. The necropolis comprises 109 medieval Stećci tombstones as well as the remains of a church building from the late Middle Ages. The tombstones and church remains therefore belong to a shared historical site, while pointing to different components of the medieval complex.

The local road between Rudo Polje and Srđevići was newly built in 2014 and 2015 on geologically stable ground and serves as the western bypass of the Gacko mine. The road branches in Rudo Polje include M 6.1–Vidojevići, M 6.1–Kovačevići, M 6.1–Groblje and M 6.1–Gojkovići. Taken together, the road information identifies both a connection between places and the individual branches within Rudo Polje.

Rudo Polje is listed as one of the villages of the Second Parish of Gacko; this parish includes settlements along the main road connection between Gacko and Nevesinje. The parish affiliation describes a different geographical context from the local road and its named branches.

The fenced and cultivated area between the Gacko mine and the main road extends to the village of Rudo Polje and is planted with conifers.

Lake Klinje is designated as a state-protected cultural and historical monument in the Gacko area. Its arch dam was built during the Austro-Hungarian occupation to irrigate the Gacko karst field. The lake therefore combines an officially designated cultural and historical significance with the dam’s historical function for irrigation.

When planning accommodation in Rudo Polje, hotels complement the nature and cultural topics. Travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions indicate different parameters for the stay and can be considered separately when making a personal selection.

Other linked places: Šipovo, Staro Rudo, Trebinje, Podrašnica, Ljubina, Dračevo, Dera and Lužani.

The wider Gacko area offers mountaineering, hiking and mountain biking on forest and mountain trails.

For the higher-level travel overview: Republika Srpska.