Known under various names (Monument to the Serbian and Albanian Partisans, Monument to the Heroes of the National Liberation War, Monument of the Partisans and Miners), this giant concrete bathtub on top of two pointy cylinders looks over Mitrovica in northern Kosovo. One of several brutalist, but also futuristic, monuments in former Yugoslavia, it was erected in 1973 and seeks to represent the two peoples of Kosovo that fought against the Axis powers during the Second World War: Serbs and Albanians. Particularly remembered is a partisan mountain company that was formed for this purpose.

Today, these two peoples seem to be more divided than ever and probably nowhere in Kosovo is this more visible as in the divided city of Mitrovica. A bridge over the river Ibar in the center of the city separates the northern, predominantly Serbian part of the city from the southern part that is mostly inhabited by Albanians. People still stick to their own sides of the city and checks by UN police forces were in place during the time of visit in 2011 whenever someone wanted to cross. As the UNMIK mission in Kosovo is still active and since attacks and assassinations still sometimes happen here, it might still be the case today.


Further information:
The monument is located on a hill in the northern, Serbian, part of the city, and can be accessed by foot.