Jaksic Stonemasonry
Workshop and Gallery

Tomb of Ćiro Blažević, author Dražen Jakšić / first prize "Tripun Bokanić" for design and execution

- Jakšić Stonemasonry Workshop proudly stands behind the creation of the tomb of the legendary coach of the Croatian national football team, Miroslav Ćiro Blažević. The design was created by Dražen Jakšić, winner of the first Tripun Bokanić award, for a work that has permanently marked the Alley of Greats at Zagreb’s Mirogoj Cemetery. The tomb is made of white Brač stone, a material that Blažević particularly cherished and wished to have as part of his eternal resting place. This modern tomb construction combines tradition with contemporary design, turning stone into a powerful symbol of a rich sporting legacy. On the headstone, a stylised football pitch is carved, within which the name ĆIRO stands out, executed in elegant, minimalist typography. The precise engraving of letters on the monument, with geometric lines and rectangular forms, highlights the modern and abstract character of the design. A special detail is the final letter “O”, coloured in bronze – a permanent reminder of the historic bronze medal won with the national team in 1998. At the bottom of the stone, Blažević’s famous message “Son, be ready” is engraved in his own handwriting. This emotional detail connects him even more deeply with his life motto and the fans who remember him. Through the work of our stonemasonry workshop, every line and every engraving on this tomb reflects respect, tradition, and outstanding craftsmanship. The tomb of Ćiro Blažević remains an example of how headstone constructioncan also be a work of art – a lasting testimony to life, career, and love of homeland.

All our tombs can be viewed in the gallery of works, where each piece tells its own story in stone.