Stećci (singular stećak) are medieval monumental tombstones found throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, produced between the 12th and 16th centuries. They range from simple flat slabs to elaborate upright stones decorated with carved hunting scenes, dances, heraldic motifs, and geometric patterns. The National Museum in Sarajevo holds one of the finest collections, displayed in its courtyard lapidary.
The UNESCO listing (2016) covers the most important stećci sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia. The Sarajevo National Museum collection is accessible and well-displayed; for anyone interested in medieval Bosnia, it is the best starting point. The iconography on the carvings is particularly interesting — hunting scenes that show the social status and activities of the local nobility, and processional dances that appear to be related to a now-vanished tradition.