Jaksic Stonemasonry
Workshop and Gallery

Mirogoj Tombs – Croatia’s Saddest Story Carved in Stone

Following a tragedy that deeply moved the entire country, our workshop was given the honour and great responsibility of creating a tomb that would forever preserve the memory of three children whose lives ended far too soon. This tomb, located at the Mirogoj cemetery, is one of the most emotional projects we have ever undertaken.

From the beginning, we knew that a standard approach to the creation of a tomb could not convey the tenderness, playfulness and dreams held within those three young lives. Instead of a traditional form, we chose a concept that speaks from the heart — transforming the headstone into a deeply personal story.

Using the children’s original drawings and signatures, we created mosaic compositions that were carefully applied to the stone slab. These drawings, pure and full of life, became the main visual motif of the headstone. Every line, every colour and every fragment of the mosaic carries a memory.

This headstone is unique in another way: instead of conventional inscriptions, it bears a single sentence — an emotional message written by the mother in her own handwriting. This intimate detail gives the entire work a profound personal depth, turning the creation of the tomb into an act of love and remembrance.

The tomb is made entirely of white Brač stone, whose brightness and purity emphasise the delicacy and solemnity of this project. The design is signed by Dražen Jakšić, who shaped a space of calm and dignity, carefully choosing proportions and contours to give the headstone both artistic and emotional weight.

Ultimately, this tomb at Mirogoj shows how masterful craftsmanship and a sensitive artistic approach can tell even the heaviest of stories. In this case, the creation of a tomb became more than a craft — it became an act of compassion, respect and art carved into white Brač stone.