Summary
The Park of Gratitude is a small memorial complex in central Selca, with busts of Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Alois Mock and Franjo Tuđman. It honours people associated with Croatia’s independence and international recognition.
The Park of Gratitude is a small memorial complex in central Selca, with busts of Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Alois Mock and Franjo Tuđman. It honours people associated with Croatia’s independence and international recognition.
The park's creation
The Selca municipal chronicle records the installation of Genscher’s bust in 1994 and Mock’s in 2002. After Tuđman’s bust was installed, the shared park complex was developed and has since been called the Park of Gratitude.
Official accounts do not fully agree on the date of Tuđman’s installation: municipal sources give either 2002 or 2003. The complex should therefore be dated to the transition from the 1990s to the early 2000s, without presenting one disputed year as certain.
Three busts forming one ensemble
The park brings together sculpted portraits and pedestals of different kinds. A municipal account attributes Tuđman’s bronze bust to Nikola Šanjek and Mock’s bust to Velibor Mačukatin.
The three busts are joined by a landscaped park. Other memorials in Selca are nearby, so you can continue your visit towards the parish church and the local square, Pjaca.
Access and visiting
The complex is in the village centre, beside the local square. It is accessible for viewing from outside; keep the passage clear and do not climb on the pedestals.
