Ćelije: Hotels and accommodation

Ćelije was completely burned down and destroyed on 7 July 1991 during the Serbian-dominated aggression against Croatia and is described as the first Croatian village burned down during the Homeland War.

History and remembrance

The Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was burned down to its foundations on 7 July 1991, together with Ćelije. At mass grave site 1 in the Ćelije cemetery, the remains of 14 people were exhumed on 23 February 1998; 12 of them were identified. The memorial in Ćelije commemorates 32 Croatian defenders and civilians who were executed in October 1991.

At the ceremony marking the 25th anniversary in Ćelije, wreaths were laid and candles were lit at the village memorial. A memorial Mass for the 19th anniversary of the destruction of Ćelije was celebrated in the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ćelije. The statue of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was brought to the new church in Ćelije on 17 November after 15 years, having been returned to the parish. The foundation stone of the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ćelije was blessed on 11 August.

Landscape and regional surroundings

In the vicinity of Ćelije lies Ada Kirtoš, a named landscape formation recorded as an island. In the wider regional surroundings of Ćelije lie Borovska Ada, Tanja and Vukovarska ada, each a named landscape formation recorded as an island.

Also in the wider regional surroundings of Ćelije lies Josipin Dvor, a named structure recorded as a palace. Korođgrad, a named site recorded as a ruin site, and Vučedol, a named site recorded as an ancient site, are also located there. Ediš Falva, a named structure recorded as a church, lies in the vicinity of Ćelije.

Religious routes

The 22-kilometre Way of the Cross of the mass graves began in Tordinci, led through Antin and Korođ, and ended at the church in Ćelije.

Local setting

At the entrance to Ćelije from the direction of Tenja or Tordinci lies the so-called gravel pit, described as a site associated with fallen Croatian defenders.

Those wishing to book a hotel in Ćelije can continue their accommodation search afterwards.

For the higher-level travel overview: Trpinja.