Srebrenica Genocide MemorialAbout Srebrenica Genocide Memorial
The Srebrenica Genocide Memorial is a commemorative complex at Potočari near the town of Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the site of the July 1995 massacre during the Bosnian War. It preserves the former UN compound area and serves as a cemetery and exhibition site for the victims.
The site includes a memorial centre with exhibitions about the events, the identification process and the aftermath, plus a large cemetery where identified victims are buried. Annual commemorations and burials take place each July, drawing families, officials and visitors who come to pay respects and learn about the events.
In July 1995 Bosnian Serb forces overran the Srebrenica enclave and killed thousands of Bosniak men and boys; international courts and investigations have characterised the killings as acts of genocide. The memorial at Potočari was established to document the atrocities, provide a place for burial and remembrance, and to support ongoing forensic identification work.
The complex is located adjacent to the village of Potočari just north of the town of Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the region that was the site of the 1995 events.
- Annual commemoration: Burials and memorial events are held annually on July 11, the date observed as the Srebrenica massacre anniversary.
- Memorial components: The complex combines a cemetery, an exhibition centre and the area of the former UN compound at Potočari where people sought refuge in 1995.
- Forensic identification: A long-term forensic program has exhumed and identified thousands of victims for reburial at the site.
What to See#
- Memorial Centre: Houses exhibitions, archives and visitor information that document the July 1995 killings, the forensic identification of victims and the history of the site.
- Memorial Cemetery: Contains thousands of graves where identified victims have been reburied; marked rows and memorial plaques record names and commemorate those killed in 1995.
Best Time to Visit Srebrenica Genocide Memorial
The Srebrenica Genocide Memorial at Potočari commemorates victims of the July 1995 massacre. It includes a memorial center, cemetery, and exhibitions documenting the events and aftermath.
Weather & Climate near Srebrenica Genocide Memorial
Srebrenica Genocide Memorial's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (922 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -3° - 4° | -1° | 61 mm | overcast | 91% | 1.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| February | Poor | -2° - 7° | 1° | 56 mm | overcast | 89% | 1.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.3h |
| March | Acceptable | 1° - 12° | 5° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 5° - 16° | 11° | 75 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.1 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.3h |
| May | Good | 10° - 21° | 16° | 88 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 1.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.6h |
| June | Very Good | 13° - 24° | 19° | 109 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 1.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.3h |
| July | Excellent | 15° - 26° | 20° | 83 mm | some cloud | 67% | 1.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.0h |
| August | Excellent | 14° - 26° | 20° | 77 mm | some cloud | 63% | 1.6 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.8h |
| September | Very Good | 11° - 22° | 16° | 74 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 1.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 6° - 17° | 11° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.6 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.8h |
| November | Acceptable | 2° - 10° | 5° | 84 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 5° | 0° | 72 mm | overcast | 90% | 1.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
How to Get to Srebrenica Genocide Memorial
Potočari lies about 11 km north of Srebrenica town. From Sarajevo (≈150 km), take the M19 road east toward Zvornik and follow local signage for Srebrenica; local buses and taxis serve the route. For organized visits, many NGOs and tour operators run day trips from Sarajevo or Tuzla.
Tips for Visiting Srebrenica Genocide Memorial
- Visit the Memorial Centre in Potočari early-guided audio is available and gives crucial context to the site's layout.
- Bring a respectful tone: photography of graves and relatives should be discreet; some areas are off-limits during commemorations.
- Combine with the nearby cemetery and memorial wall to understand the chronology-allow at least 2-3 hours.