Near Prijedor · Nature · Yugoslav history · History
Kozara National Park and Mrakovica
Near: Banja Luka City Center
A forested national park near Prijedor and the giant 1972 WWII monument at Mrakovica by Dušan Džamonja. History, hiking and how to visit.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Best time
- Late spring to autumn
- Region
- Near Prijedor
Kozara is a forested mountain and national park between Prijedor and Banja Luka. In the summer of 1942, it was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of WWII in Yugoslavia, when Axis forces surrounded partisans and tens of thousands of civilians. Many civilians were killed or sent to camps. At Mrakovica, the highest part of the park, stands the huge cylindrical Monument to the Revolution (1972) by sculptor Dušan Džamonja, one of the most striking Yugoslav monuments. A memorial museum stands nearby. The rest of the park offers forest trails, viewpoints and cool summer air.
Practical info
- Entry
- Park and monument usually free. Museum small fee
- Getting there
- About 1 hour from Banja Luka, 30 minutes from Prijedor
- Last checked
- October 2026. Prices and hours change, so confirm before you go.
FAQ
What happened at Kozara in WWII?
In 1942, Axis forces encircled partisans and civilians there. It was one of the deadliest battles in Yugoslavia, with huge civilian losses.
Who made the Kozara monument?
The sculptor Dušan Džamonja, in 1972.