The original bridge was demolished by Partisans to deceive Axis forces regarding their escape route during the battle.
The rescue operation involved the rapid construction of an improvised wooden bridge in just 19 hours while under fire.
The Battle for the Wounded is considered one of the most humanitarian and tactical feats in the history of the Yugoslav People's Liberation Army.
The site was once one of the most visited tourist attractions in socialist Yugoslavia before the 1990s conflict.
A steam locomotive and historic railway carriages are displayed on the river bank, representing the transport infrastructure of the era.
The museum serves as an important site for understanding the strategy of Tito's forces against the combined Italian and German military presence.
The terrain surrounding the museum was historically difficult to navigate, which dictated the nature of the Partisan escape route.
The Museum of the Battle for the Wounded at Neretva commemorates the 1943 Case White offensive during World War II, a pivotal Partisan tactical withdrawal. The site is anchored by a salvaged railway bridge remnant suspended over the Neretva River. Exhibits document the rescue of 4,000 wounded fighters transported across the gorge under heavy Axis bombardment. The museum complex includes indoor galleries housing period artifacts, weaponry, and documents detailing the Balkan theater's partisan warfare. An outdoor memorial area features heavy equipment and the iconic destroyed railway infrastructure. It serves as a significant site for Yugoslav history research and anti-fascist commemoration. The complex is situated at the gateway to the Prenj mountain range in Herzegovina.
From the pedestrian overlook area on the high bank, looking down at the twisted metal of the bridge ruins against the river.
View the bridge from the elevated park areas to capture the scale of the river gorge.
Combine your visit with a stop at the nearby Jablanica town center for traditional lamb roast, for which the region is famous.
Allow time to walk down to the river bank path to see the structural details of the bridge remains.
Do not attempt to cross the river outside of established paths, as the canyon slopes are steep and uneven.
