PRESS RELEASE Works on stabilization and reconstruction of the national monument – the Bridge on the Zepa River, have been completed
12/2/2016
The Commission to Preserve National Monument completed its activities related to carrying out works on structural stabilization of the national monument – the Bridge on the Zepa River.
Funds for this project were donated by the Special fund of American ambassadors for the preservation of cultural heritage, with the USA Embassy in BiH, in the amount of 62,600.00 $.
The historic monument – the Bridge on the Zepa River has been registered on the List of endangered monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina due to the damage to the bridge structure, cracks and deformations that may cause further deterioration. Therefore, the aim of the project was to bring the structure of the bridge in stable condition with a sufficient level of security, taking into account criteria of bearing capacity, usability and durability.
This phase of the project included the urgent works on structural stabilization of the bridge, which was resolved by setting up a temporary scaffolding that would ensure the facility and enable implementation of other restoration phases of the project once the funds have been provided. The scaffolding is designed as a combination of wood and light steel sections and in constructive terms it is similar to the scaffolds that have been used for rehabilitation of other stone bridges - national monuments, such as the Old Bridge in Konjic and the Old Bridge in Mostar.
Although the works were carried out in an extremely difficult and inaccessible site, they were completed before the expiration of the deadline set. The project documentation was prepared by the "IPSA Institute" doo Sarajevo, a contractor was the company "Neimar" doo Sarajevo. Partners in the implementation of the project were local community Zepa, Rogatica and the Republic Institute for Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage of Republic of Srpska.
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Older records and travelogues have no data about the builder of the bridge on the Zepa River and the date of its construction. Additionally, the text and the inscription on the bridge that might provide precise information about the time and the builder of this facility have not been preserved. It is assumed that the bridge was built at the end of the 16th century. The bridge, located towards the mouth of the river until 1966, was dismantled and reconstructed on the other location due to the construction of HPP Bajina Basta. Its new location is situated 500 meters from the village of Zepa.
In 2005, due to all the features of this property, the Commission decided to declare the Bridge on the Zepa River a national monument, and at the same session it was decided to put this monument on the List of Endangered Monuments due to its condition, particularly because of the damaged bridge structure.