Ledici now stands all but deserted, high in the mountains south of Bosnia’s capital.
Ledici now stands all but deserted, high in the mountains south of Bosnia’s capital. © Sanja Vrzić
The damage dates from a June 1992 attack in which the local population fled or was killed.
The damage dates from a June 1992 attack in which the local population fled or was killed. © Sanja Vrzić
Monument to 24 civilians from Ledici killed in June 1992 at the start of the Bosnian war.
Monument to 24 civilians from Ledici killed in June 1992 at the start of the Bosnian war. © Sanja Vrzić
The local authorities have not funded the reconstruction work carried out elsewhere.
The local authorities have not funded the reconstruction work carried out elsewhere. © Sanja Vrzić
Officials say the village missed out because no one came back.
Officials say the village missed out because no one came back. © Sanja Vrzić
Interior of a wrecked home.
Interior of a wrecked home. © Sanja Vrzić
Empty homes are left to the mercy of the elements.
Empty homes are left to the mercy of the elements. © Sanja Vrzić
For the two surviving residents, life is hard with poor public services and a capricious mountain climate.
For the two surviving residents, life is hard with poor public services and a capricious mountain climate. © Sanja Vrzić
Mist envelops the road to Ledici.
Mist envelops the road to Ledici. © Sanja Vrzić
Photo Essay

Ghost Village in Bosnia

Images of Ledici, deserted after war swept through a small Serb community.

Ledici now stands all but deserted, high in the mountains south of Bosnia’s capital.
Ledici now stands all but deserted, high in the mountains south of Bosnia’s capital. © Sanja Vrzić
The damage dates from a June 1992 attack in which the local population fled or was killed.
The damage dates from a June 1992 attack in which the local population fled or was killed. © Sanja Vrzić
Monument to 24 civilians from Ledici killed in June 1992 at the start of the Bosnian war.
Monument to 24 civilians from Ledici killed in June 1992 at the start of the Bosnian war. © Sanja Vrzić
The local authorities have not funded the reconstruction work carried out elsewhere.
The local authorities have not funded the reconstruction work carried out elsewhere. © Sanja Vrzić
Officials say the village missed out because no one came back.
Officials say the village missed out because no one came back. © Sanja Vrzić
Interior of a wrecked home.
Interior of a wrecked home. © Sanja Vrzić
Empty homes are left to the mercy of the elements.
Empty homes are left to the mercy of the elements. © Sanja Vrzić
For the two surviving residents, life is hard with poor public services and a capricious mountain climate.
For the two surviving residents, life is hard with poor public services and a capricious mountain climate. © Sanja Vrzić
Mist envelops the road to Ledici.
Mist envelops the road to Ledici. © Sanja Vrzić
Saturday, 6 April, 2013

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Saturday, 6 April, 2013

These pictures show Ledici, a Serb mountain village emptied of its residents at the onset of the Bosnian war in 1992.

Battered by a Bosniak military assault, the villagers tried to flee. Some made it, but 24 were killed. No one has been prosecuted for their deaths.

Apart from Obren and Dragana Miovcic, a couple who returned to rebuild their home after the war, the village lies deserted to this day. The authorities have not rebuilt homes smashed in the 1992 attack.

The harsh mountain climate means life in the village would be hard even under better circumstances. The Miovcics spend the winter with their children in Sarajevo.

For the full story, see Wartime Ghosts Stalk Forgotten Bosnian Village.

These photographs were taken by Sanja Vrzic, an architect, photographer and graphic designer based in Sarajevo. She specialises in landscape, documentary and cultural photography.

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ethnic cleansing
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