Memorial Ossuary to the Fallen Fighters in the Balkan War of 1912 “Zebrnjak”
Buildings/The only monument of its kind in this region is the memorial to the fallen soldiers of the Battle of Kumanovo, fought on October 23 and 24, 1912, erected on Zebrnjak Hill at an elevation of 511 meters near Kumanovo. This memorial complex was built in honor of the Serbian soldiers-including Macedonians-who died in the Battle of Kumanovo during the First Balkan War. The battle is considered highly significant as it marked the victory of the Serbian army over the Ottoman forces, initiating the liberation of Southeast Europe from the Ottoman Empire. However, from a Macedonian historiographical perspective, this event is also seen as the beginning of Serbian colonial rule over Vardar Macedonia.
The idea to erect the monument emerged in 1922, when a group of Serbian war veterans formed a committee for this purpose. Construction began only between 1934 and 1937. The monument was ceremoniously consecrated on October 31, 1937, the 25th anniversary of the victory at the Battle of Kumanovo. The monument is an expressionistically designed memorial tower (obelisk-tower) 48.5 meters high, built according to the project of architect Momir Korunović. The construction was entrusted to Mihailo Aranđelović, a builder from Belgrade. Korunović is known for numerous monuments, ossuaries, memorial homes, fountains, Sokol Houses, and stadiums dedicated to the Karađorđević dynasty.
The monument was constructed from the hardest basalt stone blocks and reinforced concrete, and was financed by voluntary contributions from surviving fighters of the Battle of Kumanovo. It was destroyed on May 24, 1942, during World War II by the Bulgarian occupation authorities
Architect Momir Korunović
Construction year 1937
Investor / Owner Financed by voluntary contributions from the surviving fighters of the Battle of Kumanovo
City / Municipality Kumanovo
/ Mlado Nagorichane
Address Zebrnjak Hill
Floors Base-core and tower-obelisk (6 floors) with a height of 48.5 meters.
Original typology
Current purpose
Protection status protected
- Building chronology (project, construction phases)The idea to erect the monument appeared in 1922. The monument was constructed between 1934 and 1937. During the Second World War, Zebrnjak was bombed by the Bulgarian army and the tower was demolished.Number of floorsBase-core and tower-obelisk (6 floors) with a height of 48.5 meters.Program description (floor plan details)On the ground floor of the tower was a crypt where the bones of the fallen soldiers were laid. Above it, there was a museum with nine sections displaying trophy items found on the battlefield after the battle. Above the base of the monument was a chapel, fresco-painted by the artist Živorad Nastasićević. At a certain height, on each of the three corners of the monument, original cannons from the Battle of Kumanovo were displayed on pedestals.StructureThe monument has a structure of reinforced concrete and basalt. It creates a fusion of a massive base and a slender triangular tower-a construction that is both strong and elegant at the same time.RoofThe tower was topped with a dome made of stone, on which a cross was placed. Today, the cross still remains at the site, positioned on the ground next to the monument.FaçadeThe exterior of the tower featured distinctive decorations. In the area above the chapel, the year of the Battle of Kumanovo, “1912,” was inscribed in large numerals, and in the upper section was the double-headed eagle from the coat of arms of the Serbian Kingdom. With harmonious proportions, this memorial could be seen from afar, even at night, as three Petromax lamps illuminated its dome. This served as a symbolic, eternal vigil lamp for the fallen.Interior / Communal spacesThe interior of the monument was decorated with frescoes by the painter Živorad Nastasićević, depicting scenes from everyday life and figures in traditional folk costumes.ContextThe monument was erected in 1937 at the very site of the battle - Zebrnjak Hill near Kumanovo, in what was then the Vardar Banovina of Yugoslavia, today the Republic of Macedonia. A military force of around 90,000 soldiers under the command of Alexander I Karađorđević took part in the battle. This battle was decisive for the First Balkan War. The Turkish army suffered a heavy defeat, which was followed by the final expulsion of the Turks from the Balkans. In the memorial ossuary rest the remains of 678 fallen Serbian fighters.
- FaçadeThe monument is constructed of basalt and reinforced concrete. The openings have semicircular terminations (arches) and are accentuated with framing made of semicircular moldings.CarpentryOpenings with semicircular terminations (arches), accentuated with framing made of semicircular moldings.Building surroundingsThe monument is enclosed by a fence made of stone and metal.Interior / Communal spacesA large part of the bones of the fallen fighters are still there, in the ossuary on the ground floor. On the upper floor, there is an exhibition about the Battle of Kumanovo and the original structure. Of the original frescoes, only one has been preserved.Exterior conditionpoorExterior authenticitysatisfactory
- protected Significant Cultural Heritage, Ref. No. 08-57 dated 01.03.2011
- historical authorship The memorial ossuary on Zebrnjak Hill is a monumental and triumphal memorial erected in glory and honor of the Serbian soldiers who fell during the Battle of Kumanovo in the First Balkan War in 1912. The structure is the work of the renowned architect Momir Korunović, who designed several buildings in Kumanovo during that period.
- https://marh.mk/zebrnjak_kumanovo_korunovich/ https://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%97%D0%B5%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%9A%D0%B0%D0%BA