Monument to the uprising of the people of Kordun and Banija

Monument to the uprising of the people of Kordun and Banija
Spomenik ustanku naroda Banije i Korduna
Croatia
The monument in 2010
For the people of Kordun and Banija
Unveiled	4 October 1981
Location	45°18′58.9″N 15°48′17.6″E / 45.316361°N 15.804889°E / 45.316361; 15.804889 Veliki Petrovac, Petrova Gora, Croatia near  Malička, Topusko
Designed by	Vojin Bakić

The monument to the uprising of the people of Kordun and Banija (Croatian: Spomenik ustanku naroda Banije i Korduna), also known simply as the Petrova Gora Monument, is a modernist Yugoslav World War II memorial on Veliki Petrovac, a hill in the Petrova Gora range of Croatia. Designed by sculptor Vojin Bakić, the monument commemorates the rebellion efforts of the communist Yugoslav Partisan rebels and Serbs from the Croatian regions of Kordun and Banija against the Ustaše regime during World War II, as well as the establishment of a Partisan hospital in Petrova Gora in 1941. It is a component of a larger monument complex, which included a public square and reception facilities such as restaurants, visitor centers, and shops.

A nationwide competition was held for the design of the monument in 1970, with Igor Toš's proposal being selected over Bakić's, whose design received criticism for failing to match the quality of his previous work. However, Bakić continued to refine his design, and a supplementary competition held in late 1974 resulted in the implementation of his proposal. Construction on the monument began on 15 September 1980; initially planned to be made of concrete, the structure was built using stainless steel metal sheets supported by a steel frame. The interior included a reading room, library, administrative offices, and an underground section for events. Additionally, the monument was planned to feature a museum spread across seven levels, showcasing historical documents and permanent exhibits. It was dedicated by Yugoslav politician Jure Bilić on 4 October 1981, the 40th anniversary of the uprising and the establishment of the hospital.

Following its dedication, the monument faced significant challenges. During the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s, the monument was repurposed by the Yugoslav People's Army, leading to substantial interior damage and vandalism. Restoration attempts have been largely unsuccessful, leaving the monument with several of its steel panels missing and a decaying concrete structure. The monument is currently in an advanced state of disrepair.