Seated above the city of Čačak in Serbia, one will find a stone structure shaped with the heads of mythical creatures made as a memorial to the many thousands of people who died during the local freedom struggle .
The Mausoleum of Struggle and Victory was officially opened in 1980, Bogdan Bogdanović, a celebrated Serbian architect lead the 4 year long construction project. This Impressive structure measuring 12-meter (65-foot) is nestled atop Jelica Mountain and three stone arches rising together to merge as one
Cacak Mausoleum of Struggle and Victory
Cacak was occupied by Germany during 1941 and as World War II-era Nazi forces swept through the Balkans resistance was offered by local forces, with it culminating in the creation of the Čačak Partisan Detachment that year, rapidly expanding upto hundreds of local militia. Many battles were witnessed in the Cacak region with December 4, 1944 being significant as it marked final liberation of the region.
Although liberation was finally attained, more than 4600 soldiers and civilians ended up losing their lives, thereby paying the highest price
Ancient inhabitants and various folk tales played a significant influence on the design of the Cacak monument. This follows a similar pattern with many former Yugoslav monuments in that they do not design them to depict imagery relating to the war. This particular monument is shaped with 620 heads of various mythical creatures
The Mausoleum of Struggle and Victory has a few other things in common with other Yugoslav sites. It was designed and created through separate elements that never touch but come together to form a single complete form. This was the most common and popular technique used during the postwar construction period with it being used across all of the former Yugolsav territories
The Čačak Mausoleum of the monument currently receives little or no protection from the local authorities, one is welcomed to come a visit this forgotten relic from a bygone era which sits alone upon the slopes of a public park.