Jazovka


Jazovka is known as a site of mass executions and burials associated with Partisan activities during and after World War II in what is present-day Croatia. Hundreds of wounded Croatian soldiers from Zagreb hospitals and civilians were dumped in a pit here in the Žumberak Mountains area of Croatia. Some were already dead, but others died of exposure and injuries. Since the site was rediscovered in 1990, when more 800 skeletons were found, an annual pilgrimage has been organized.

History

The first victims are believed to have been soldiers of the fascist puppet state Independent State of Croatia, captured by Partisan forces after a battle near Krašić in January 1943. Some were likely shot before being dumped into the pit; others might have been thrown in alive.
Later in 1945 the Partisans used the pit to dispose secretly of bodies of prisoners of war. They also dumped wounded Croatian soldiers, medical staff, and Catholic nuns.
While local people retained the memory of these events, the Communist government suppressed any acknowledgement of these wartime murders by the Partisans. In 1990, after the fall of socialism in Croatia, the pit was rediscovered. At a depth of around, the remains of more 800 skeletons were found.
Since this period, the Catholic Church in Croatia has organised an annual pilgrimage to the site. It is held on June 22 and coincides with Anti-Fascist Struggle Day. The Church has lined the path to the pit from a nearby village with images of stations of the cross. The event is reported as popular among members of fringe right wing groups in Croatia.

Notable victims