What secrets lie beneath the shimmering surface of Bileća Lake? This isn’t just any lake. Bileća Lake is a vast expanse, the largest artificial reservoir in the Balkans. It stretches out before us, a serene giant cradled by limestone peaks and rugged karst. Bileća Lake was born in the late 1960s with the construction of the Grančarevo Dam. This dam tamed the Trebišnjica River, creating this tranquil giant. But the creation of Bileća Lake came at a cost. Five villages, Panik, Orah, Čepelica, Zadublje, and Miruše, were swallowed by the rising waters. Homes, farms, cemeteries, and even churches now lie beneath the surface. Imagine the lives lived in those lost villages. Now, they rest in a watery embrace, a silent testament to the past. Even an ancient Roman site, Leusinio, dating back to the 3rd century BC, now rests on the lakebed. And the original Kosijerevo Monastery also met a watery fate, although it was later relocated to Montenegro. Bileća Lake isn’t just a beautiful sight. It’s a submerged time capsule, a haven for archaeological divers. They come to explore the underwater villages, to uncover the secrets hidden beneath the waves. This tranquil surface holds a wealth of history, a world lost and waiting to be rediscovered. As you gaze across Bileća Lake, remember the stories submerged beneath its surface. They whisper of lives lived, of communities lost, and of a past that continues to intrigue and inspire.
Sv. Martin
“A church tucked away in a guardhouse?” you might ask. Yes, right here, before the grand Golden Gate of Diocletian’s