Jazovka

Jazovka is a karst pit in the forests of the Žumberak hills, a few kilometers from the village of Sošice in central Croatia — a site that carries the weight of a tragic history. This is not a tourist attraction in the usual sense but a memorial site that deserves to be approached with solemnity and respect for those who died there.

What kind of place is this?

Jazovka is a natural karst shaft: a vertical, well-like opening roughly 34 meters deep, leading into a longer sloping passage about 15 meters long at the bottom. Between 1943 and 1945 it became a site of mass executions and burials carried out first by Yugoslav Partisans and later by soldiers of the Yugoslav Army. Wounded soldiers, medical staff, and civilians — including patients removed from Zagreb hospitals — were thrown into the pit. Many did not die instantly but succumbed to their injuries and exposure at the bottom of the shaft.

The site was rediscovered in 1990, after the fall of communism, when the remains of more than 800 people were found. In 2020, the remains of 814 victims were exhumed from the pit, and on August 23, 2025, a formal burial ceremony was held in nearby Sošice, led by the Archbishop of Zagreb, Dražen Kutleša. Jazovka is listed in Croatia's Register of Cultural Goods as a memorial site.

How do you get there?

Jazovka lies in the forests of Žumberak, within the municipality of Krašić, close to the village of Sošice. The easiest way to reach it is by car from Zagreb (about an hour's drive) or from Karlovac, heading toward Krašić and continuing on local roads to Sošice. The final stretch to the pit itself follows a forest path — sturdy footwear is recommended, especially after rain, since the ground is often damp and uneven.

What will you see there?

Next to the opening of the pit stands a modest memorial commemorating the victims. The atmosphere is quiet and austere — there is no tourist infrastructure, no cafés or viewpoints. The pit itself is fenced off and secured for safety reasons; descending into it is not possible. The surrounding Žumberak forest, covered in beech and hornbeam, adds to the site's solemn character.

When should you visit?

Every year, usually in June, a public memorial pilgrimage (spomen-pohod) is organized to Jazovka, bringing together victims' families, clergy, and residents of the region. If you want to experience the site in its full historical and religious context, plan your visit around this date. Outside that period, the site is typically visited individually, in quiet reflection — spring or autumn are the best seasons, since the forest paths are easier to walk than in winter.

Frequently asked questions

Is Jazovka safe to visit? Yes, though the pit itself is fenced off and cannot be entered. Visitors view the opening and the memorial from a safe distance along a marked path.

Is there an entrance fee? No, access to the memorial site is free and open year-round.

How much time should I set aside for a visit? The visit itself takes 20–30 minutes, but the forest walk to and from Sošice extends the outing to roughly an hour.

Is this a suitable destination for children? Given its historical nature as a mass execution site and the lack of typical tourist facilities, Jazovka is better suited to adults interested in 20th-century history than as a family attraction.