Banja Luka begins construction on Prince Lazar monument

Construction has begun on a monument to Prince Lazar at a roundabout in the Lazarevo neighborhood of Banja Luka. The project, described by Mayor Draško Stanivuković as a “city gate,” is expected to stand approximately 11 to 15 meters tall.

Stanivuković stated that the monument will depict the Prince holding a sword in one hand and the “Kosovo Covenant” in the other, symbolically pointing toward Kosovo and Metohija. The Mayor defended the project as a vital historical and spiritual symbol for the city.

The estimated cost of 1.7 million KM has sparked significant public debate. Critics, including opposition members and citizens, argue that the funds should be prioritized for municipal infrastructure, such as water supply, parking, traffic congestion, and kindergarten capacity. While the city administration views the monument as a landmark, opponents have characterized the move as populism.