Bosnia year 2009 stamp Franciscan monastery Guca Gora MNH

Bosnia & Herzegovina 2009 ☀ 150th Anniv. of Franciscan monastery Guca Gora ☀ MNH

The Franciscan monastery and church in Guča Gora were initially constructed in 1859, marking the establishment of this religious site in the village. Despite its relatively recent construction, Guča Gora has a long history, as evidenced by its mention in written documents dating back to September 5th, 1425. King Sigismund of Hungary granted land property in Paku to the son of Nikola (Miloša), acknowledging the family’s contribution to battles against the Turks in the early 15th century when Bosnia faced Turkish incursions.

Over the centuries, from the 15th to the 18th century, Guča Gora’s presence fades from historical records, reflecting a challenging period for Bosnian Catholics. Monasteries across the region were demolished or abandoned during this time, and by the late 17th century, only a few remained, including those in Kraljeva Sutjeska, Kreševo, and Fojnica. Guča Gora reemerged as a Franciscan habitat in the early 18th century, with the establishment of a Franciscan house officially proclaimed as a residence by the administration of the Franciscan Order on June 8th, 1757.

However, the monastery faced tragedy during World War II when partisan units expelled German army members from the area. On February 22nd, 1945, the monastery and church were set ablaze, resulting in the complete destruction of the monastery. Despite this devastation, Friar Ivo initiated the construction of a new monastic house between 1957 and 1959, rebuilding on the foundations of the southern monastery wing.

In subsequent years, the monastery endured further hardship during the Bosnian War in the early 1990s. In 1993, the church suffered significant damage, and the monastery was entirely destroyed by the army. However, in 1994, the soldiers abandoned the site, and Friar Francis Križanac assumed guardianship of the monastery, signaling a new chapter in its history.