National Memorial Cemetery of The Victims of Homeland War in Vukovar

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Victims of the Homeland War in Vukovar is one of the most moving remembrance sites in Croatia. It sits on the eastern approach to the city, in Vukovar in eastern Slavonia, and honours the people killed during the 1991 siege and the events that followed.

What is this place?

The cemetery was created at the site of a former mass grave at Vukovar's New Cemetery (Novo groblje). In 1998 the remains of 938 people were exhumed here, and 859 of them have since been identified. It is regarded as the largest mass grave in Croatia and one of the largest in Europe since the Second World War. The site received its official status as a memorial cemetery for the victims of the Homeland War in 2010.

What does it look like?

What strikes you first are the rows of white marble crosses set across a carefully kept, open field. There are 938, one for each exhumed victim. The crosses are identical, which gives the space a stark, quiet character. The names of identified people can be found on individual graves nearby.

In the central part stands a four-metre bronze monument by sculptor Đurđa Ostoja, unveiled in 2000. The whole is a place for silence and reflection rather than a typical tourist attraction.

Historical background

In autumn 1991 Vukovar was besieged and shelled for many weeks before the city fell. It became a symbol in Croatia of resistance and of civilian suffering. The people buried in the mass grave were victims of those events; years later their remains were identified and reburied with dignity. Their memory remains alive among locals, and on 18 November, the anniversary of the city's fall, commemorations and a remembrance march take place here.

How to visit

• Behaviour: this is an active cemetery and a place of mourning. Dress modestly, speak quietly and avoid walking among the crosses in ways that could offend other visitors.
• Time: 30 to 45 minutes is usually enough for an unhurried walk.
• Combining with other sights: many travellers pair it with Ovčara, a memorial site outside the city, and with the war-related museums in central Vukovar.
• Photos: take them with sensitivity, without posing and without disturbing others' reflection.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No, it is an open memorial cemetery and free to visit. It is worth checking access hours before you go.

How many people rest here? 938 people were exhumed, of whom 859 have been identified. Each victim is represented by a white cross.

Is it suitable for children? It is a solemn place of remembrance. Parents should prepare children for its nature beforehand and explain why quiet is expected.

How do I get there? The cemetery lies on the eastern approach to Vukovar, so it is easy to reach by car or taxi from the centre.

Why does this place matter? It bears witness to the scale of the 1991 atrocities and is an important stop for anyone who wants to understand Croatian history and the fate of Vukovar, a Danube city that is still rebuilding its everyday life.

Who is it for?

It suits readers interested in the recent history of the Balkans, so-called remembrance tourism and reflective travel. It is a stop that stays with you long after you return, and it helps you see Vukovar not only as a baroque town on the river but also as a place with a difficult and important history. When planning a trip through Slavonia, set aside a separate, calm part of the day for this stop, without hurry or a tight schedule, so you can walk along the rows of crosses and pause by the bronze monument.