Spomenik 26 smrznutih partizana, War memorial monument in Matić Poljana, Croatia.
Spomenik 26 smrznutih partizana consists of 26 limestone columns arranged in a geometric pattern across a meadow in the Gorski Kotar region. The columns are positioned to integrate with the natural landscape, creating a clear spatial composition.
In February 1944, 26 partisan fighters of the Second Brigade died from extreme cold during a military march in this region. The memorial was erected in 1962 to document their sacrifice during World War II.
The name directly honors the 26 fallen partisans, and the site functions as a place where visitors come to pay respects and remember sacrifice. Each year, a peace commemoration ceremony draws people to reflect on their loss.
The site is accessible through marked paths from the nearest town and sits in an open meadow setting. Visitors should be prepared for changing weather and rough conditions, as the location sits in an exposed mountain area.
Architect Zdenko Sila designed each of the 26 columns to represent one fallen partisan while incorporating the natural stone formations of the surrounding landscape. This integration into the environment distinguishes it from conventional war memorials.
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