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Spomenik Monument Database
A guidebook to the wild world of communist minimalism in Tito's Yugoslavia
Spomenik--the Serbo-Croat/Slovenian word for monument--refers to the memorials built in Tito's Republic of Yugoslavia from the 1960s to the 1980s, marking the horror of the occupation and the defeat of Axis forces during World War II. Hundreds were built across the country, from coastal resorts to remote mountains. Through these imaginative forms of concrete and steel, a classless, forward-looking socialist society, free of ethnic tensions, was envisaged. Instead of looking to the ideologically aligned Soviet Union for artistic inspiration, Tito turned to the West and works of abstract expressionism and minimalism. This allowed Yugoslavia to develop its own distinct identity through the monuments, turning them into political tools, articulating Tito's personal vision of a new tomorrow.
Today, following the breakup of the country and the subsequent Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s, some have been destroyed or abandoned. Many have suffered the consequences of ethnic tensions: once viewed as symbols of hope, they are now the focus of resentment and anger.
This book brings together the largest collection of spomeniks published to date. Each has been extensively photographed and researched by the author, making this book the most comprehensive survey of this obscure and fascinating architectural phenomenon. The inside of the book's dust jacket opens out as a map, giving the exact geographic coordinates for each monument.
Spomenik--the Serbo-Croat/Slovenian word for monument--refers to the memorials built in Tito's Republic of Yugoslavia from the 1960s to the 1980s, marking the horror of the occupation and the defeat of Axis forces during World War II. Hundreds were built across the country, from coastal resorts to remote mountains. Through these imaginative forms of concrete and steel, a classless, forward-looking socialist society, free of ethnic tensions, was envisaged. Instead of looking to the ideologically aligned Soviet Union for artistic inspiration, Tito turned to the West and works of abstract expressionism and minimalism. This allowed Yugoslavia to develop its own distinct identity through the monuments, turning them into political tools, articulating Tito's personal vision of a new tomorrow.
Today, following the breakup of the country and the subsequent Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s, some have been destroyed or abandoned. Many have suffered the consequences of ethnic tensions: once viewed as symbols of hope, they are now the focus of resentment and anger.
This book brings together the largest collection of spomeniks published to date. Each has been extensively photographed and researched by the author, making this book the most comprehensive survey of this obscure and fascinating architectural phenomenon. The inside of the book's dust jacket opens out as a map, giving the exact geographic coordinates for each monument.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published August 28, 2018
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217 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 29, 2025
First off, I have to admit that I had forgotten that the author of this work had a webpage (still active), dealing with the Yugoslavian program of monuments dedicated to the role of the Communist partisans in World War II. Secondly, I also have to admit that I was expecting more of a coffee-table art book than the sort of guide that you could carry around with you on a tour. Having said that I found this work to be very useful, in that it strips some of the mystique away from these objects (perhaps a bad thing), examines how their radical abstract flavor was an alternative to Soviet "Socialist Realism," their use basically as altars in acts of public remembrance, and how they became targets for destruction during the collapse of the Yugoslav State. Perhaps the biggest irony is how they've become icons of public art and world cultural monuments, perhaps to the discomfort of local politicians, who while probably appreciating the money of foreign tourists, now find themselves confronted with the maintenance of admitted "white elephants!"
April 14, 2021
How can one rate book like this?
Design & format - 5/5
Photographies - 5/5
Structure - 5/5
History - ?
I first discovered spomeniks when me & bf planned holiday trip to Serbia, 3 years ago. We found quite interesting monument at Kosmaj hill. I think I found informations about it at some random googled site spomenikdatabase.org (I google everything when planning a trip). The place seemed quite abandoned (we drove through some villages, farms (natives looked at us quite strangely; can't blame them, lol), but it was worth to check it.
After that, around year ago, I discovered there's even a book about spomeniks! And by the same author as the web! And the only spomenik we've seen is on the cover! I had to get it, of course.
The book itself is a compact encyclopaedia about Yugoslavian monuments to its fallen soldiers, partisans and civilians. Every monument has 3 paragraphs: its history, short general and specific to the place; design & construction; current status & condition. And there's even a map under the cover!
I love how compact the book is, yet you can find there every information you need about spomeniks. I have to salute the author for comprehensive research. I firstly thought Donald Niebyl is an author from this region (because of the name), but no, he's a US biologist, just enthusiast about the monuments. I haven't read any other book about them, so can't compare, but if want to know more about spomeniks, definitely check this one. Also, check the website, there is even more informations which did not fit in the book.
WWII and other wars' history is not a pleasant thing to read but it's important for us, for future generations. Never forget and never repeat.
Design & format - 5/5
Photographies - 5/5
Structure - 5/5
History - ?
I first discovered spomeniks when me & bf planned holiday trip to Serbia, 3 years ago. We found quite interesting monument at Kosmaj hill. I think I found informations about it at some random googled site spomenikdatabase.org (I google everything when planning a trip). The place seemed quite abandoned (we drove through some villages, farms (natives looked at us quite strangely; can't blame them, lol), but it was worth to check it.
After that, around year ago, I discovered there's even a book about spomeniks! And by the same author as the web! And the only spomenik we've seen is on the cover! I had to get it, of course.
The book itself is a compact encyclopaedia about Yugoslavian monuments to its fallen soldiers, partisans and civilians. Every monument has 3 paragraphs: its history, short general and specific to the place; design & construction; current status & condition. And there's even a map under the cover!
I love how compact the book is, yet you can find there every information you need about spomeniks. I have to salute the author for comprehensive research. I firstly thought Donald Niebyl is an author from this region (because of the name), but no, he's a US biologist, just enthusiast about the monuments. I haven't read any other book about them, so can't compare, but if want to know more about spomeniks, definitely check this one. Also, check the website, there is even more informations which did not fit in the book.
WWII and other wars' history is not a pleasant thing to read but it's important for us, for future generations. Never forget and never repeat.
August 28, 2019
Took me a whole lot longer to get through than I was expecting. Just not an easy task to work through all that history no matter how pithy the historical summaries were for each monument featured. I'll admit I can't for the life of me keep track of who was trying to kill who at any given moment, just that there really doesn't seem to be any end of the violence between peoples in this Balkan (? Yugoslavian?Some other ian term?) region.
But apparently, for a few short decades there was an attempt to build some sort of unified "Yugoslavian" (most likely my words, not the author's) spirit by erecting a shit-ton of memorials in cement, rebar, and other heavy materials. Well, that all fell to shit soon enough but it was fascinating to see how some of those monuments are faring a few decades later.
But apparently, for a few short decades there was an attempt to build some sort of unified "Yugoslavian" (most likely my words, not the author's) spirit by erecting a shit-ton of memorials in cement, rebar, and other heavy materials. Well, that all fell to shit soon enough but it was fascinating to see how some of those monuments are faring a few decades later.
January 2, 2021
A neat guide to the many beautiful Spomenik monuments constructed decades ago in Yugoslavia. I loved the little bits of history about the monuments’ designers and about their current state today (most are vandalized and decaying). There’s such a unique and forward thinking style present in all the monuments! I’m definitely planning on referencing this book in my future sculptural endeavors.
June 16, 2019
Should have stayed a website
November 8, 2023
Absolut excelent acest album al monumentelor iugoslave dedicate celor care au luptat pentru eliberarea de sub cizma Axei (și nu numai) în cel de-al Doilea Război Mondial.
Mi-a plăcut structura albumului, fiecare monument (sunt vreo 90 în total) are 4 casete: detalii tehnice (nume, designer, anul constructiei, dimensiuni, coordonatele exacte ale locației, materialele din care este făcut), istoricul evenimentului pe care îl comemorează, istoricul conceperii și design-ului, starea actuală (mă rog, starea de la momentul întocmirii cărții, 2018, și eventuale planuri de revitalizare/restaurare etc), și evident, numeroase fotografii, unele din arhive, și altele noi, făcute de autor recent pentru acest volum.
Nu știu aproape nimic despre arhitectură sau monumente, dar văzând fotografiile din album, mi-a venit foarte greu să cred că unele dintre monumentele astea au fost create de oameni. Parcă nu sunt de pe planeta asta, și cu atât mai puțin îți vine să crezi că au fost ridicate în Iugoslavia of all places. Unele sunt atât de frumoase și de stranii încât, privindu-le, simți cum ți se cască un gol în piept, de parcă te-ai trezit pe o altă planetă, într-un ținut al Oz-ului căzut în ruină, și ți-e brusc extrem de dor de casă.
Mi-a plăcut structura albumului, fiecare monument (sunt vreo 90 în total) are 4 casete: detalii tehnice (nume, designer, anul constructiei, dimensiuni, coordonatele exacte ale locației, materialele din care este făcut), istoricul evenimentului pe care îl comemorează, istoricul conceperii și design-ului, starea actuală (mă rog, starea de la momentul întocmirii cărții, 2018, și eventuale planuri de revitalizare/restaurare etc), și evident, numeroase fotografii, unele din arhive, și altele noi, făcute de autor recent pentru acest volum.
Nu știu aproape nimic despre arhitectură sau monumente, dar văzând fotografiile din album, mi-a venit foarte greu să cred că unele dintre monumentele astea au fost create de oameni. Parcă nu sunt de pe planeta asta, și cu atât mai puțin îți vine să crezi că au fost ridicate în Iugoslavia of all places. Unele sunt atât de frumoase și de stranii încât, privindu-le, simți cum ți se cască un gol în piept, de parcă te-ai trezit pe o altă planetă, într-un ținut al Oz-ului căzut în ruină, și ți-e brusc extrem de dor de casă.
September 29, 2019
A book about Yugoslav memorials from the 1960s through to the 1980s, from the creator of the online Spomenik Database. There's an introduction to spomeniks and a selection of 81 spomeniks in alphabetical order, each with one or two photos, a description of the spomenik and why it was built, and a note on the current condition of the monument. It's a nicely designed book and a good introduction to a fascinating subject.
January 18, 2021
great book design, especially for such plentiful subject matter that is scattered around (now) multiple regions. really appreciate the inclusion of each site’s current condition along with the design history, striking a balance with former Yugoslavia’s creation and subsequent dismantling. the photographs capture the mighty beauty of these decaying sites and it makes the book a worthy read even if you don’t care to read the documentary text.
May 21, 2022
Thx to my wife for the lovely birthday book. I am drawn to #spomenik and am constantly sketching them. Yes I am as obsessed with them and shape them like Richard Dreyfuss shapes mashed potato mountains in Close Encounters. Excellent source.
October 23, 2019
Cherry picked selection of astonishing Yougoslavia's spomeniks by the author of "spomenik database" website.
September 9, 2021
Brilliant collection. Love this book.
September 30, 2022
Wonderful reference book for exploring former Yugoslavia
April 18, 2023
An extraordinary example of research and respect. I want to visit all of these!
May 24, 2025
Book with pictures good, this one comes with a map
Joking aside at least someone is doing something to prevent the Yugoslav brutalist monuments from falling into obscurity.
Joking aside at least someone is doing something to prevent the Yugoslav brutalist monuments from falling into obscurity.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews