Spomenik Palim Borcima Ljesanske Nahije in Barutana, Montenegro

Within sight of the M2.3 road between Podgorica and Cetinje, the Spomenik palim borcima Ljesanske nahije commemorates the fallen of the Ljesanske nahije region in the conflicts of the 20th century. Both it’s isolated location and the rundown condition of the monument lend a definite air of melancholy to the structure which was designed by Svetlana Kana Radevic.

It was completed in 1980 by the Yugoslav authorities and sits in a tradition of ‘spomenika’ building - memorials built during Tito's Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, intended to honor its people's struggle Axis occupation and oppression. They commemorate not only the crimes which occurred during the region's occupation, but they additionally celebrate the acts of Tito's Partisans.

This monument however commemorates not only those lost the the Second World War but also the First Balkan War of 1912 and also the First World War. The monument is split into three three circular alcoves each dedicated specifically to victims of each conflict.

The lowest lists local victims of the First Balkan War and you can walk through the higher alcoves devoted to those lost in both the First and Second World Wars until you reach the open area at the top where you will find a 12m tall assembly of thin concrete pillars which together form a structure resembling two arms extended skywards with hands cupped or maybe a burning torch symbolizing the struggle for Yugoslav freedom. This faces an open amphitheater of concrete chairs placed to face the monument to aid in educational visits and political ceremonies. There is a badly faded explanation of the monument including an English translation at the monument's base.