Topography

Mirila Modriča

The region of Modrič topographically encompasses the coastline of the southern Velebit, from Seline to Rovanjska, with the upland mountain sett lements in the hinterland, going to the southeast Kitnjasta glavica (Kneževići), Umac Šarlije (Podumac - Šarlije), Čičevice (Kneževići), and Dokozin Umac (Podumac - Kneževići). Towards the west are the hamlets of Stanići and Bucići, and to the northeast, towards Sveto Brdo, Libinje (Kneževići). In specifi c terms, Modrič is a small bay that on the western side towards Seline extends in a series of hillforts (gradina) all the way to Provalija (Antičevići). Although small, the Modrič region is divided territorially into two parishes: the western part belongs to the parish of Seline (Bucići, Stanići, and Kneževići with Libinjae). According to this division, the western part of the village of Modric buried their dead in the cemetery at Seline, and the eastern part in the cemetery at Rovanjska. Along the paths taken by the funerary procession towards the parish cemeteries, the inhabitants built their memorial resting place, the mirilo. The earliest site in this area is the mirilo stones at Nadograda of the Knežević family from Kitnjasta glavica. They used this site while they were burying their dead at the Seline cemetery. They were not in function from the Second World War onwards, as the family instead used the cemetery in Rovanjska. The site is located in Nadograda, in cleared terrain, surrounded on the eastern and southeastern sides by fences of Stanići and Kneževići, on the north with the peaks of Grgurčići and Križ Stanića, and on the southwest by Nadgradine. They are oriented east - west, and are located on both sides of the path. Irregularly rectangular types of headstones and footstones predominate, with fewer numbers of amorphous, coarse, rustic slabs. The usual decoration consists of repetitive and simple crosses. There are no inscriptions. Part of the site is in ruins and overgrown with juniper. It is hoped that aft er clearing and conservation, the site will be a true discovery, like the mirilo stones of Tribanj and Starigrad.

By protecting the mirilo stones from further decay and destruction we have protected not merely monuments of the cultural heritage on Velebit Mountain, but also the ancient beliefs that were important in the spiritual life of those who lived beneath and on the mountain. We owe it to future generations to off er the chance and opportunity of studying these unique monuments, past funerary customs, and the magical ceremonies associated with them.