From the history of Bitunja in the Middle Ages (On the occassion of the first mentioning in the written sources)

Abstract

Deficient source background and the lack of the literary approaches partly limit, but not completely beset the presentation of the history of Bitunja in middle ages. Closeness of Stolac, Šimrakovići nobility and stećci are representing the starting point for the better understanding of this place. Insight in the written sources from Dubrovnik archive shows that Bitunja represents a settlement which receives his affirmation at the historical scene thanks to the transport road communication between Stolac and Ljubinje. Economic dimension of this communication gave to Bitunja typical character of the airy settlement of Hum (Herzegovina) during the 15th century. Bitunja is mention in the sources in March 1403, but its medieval age is definitely older. Its economic potential lays on the agriculture and animal husbandry. It is often mentioned as a place of the robbery and as a area from which young men were leaving to Dubrovnik for apprenticeship. This whole area is known for the Vlachs. Bitunja is also associated with Vlachs. Nevertheless, more concrete information that could be used in identification and precise specification of katuns and groups of Vlachs are still missing. Population of this area are vassals of Šimrakovići and Pavlovići. Stećci of this area in Zakuk, Potkuk, Lokve and Baba point to the typical local developed Herzegovinian environment of Dubrovnik’s hinterland in the developed Middle Ages.