The Vrebac cistern is showing its age. 146 years have passed since its construction in 1880. In the water-scarce summers of the Lika region, it was vital for supplying the local population with drinking water. Rainwater collected from the school roof filled the cistern, while during critical periods the cistern was filled with water transported by water tankers.
Time has taken its toll. Although the cistern was built of stone blocks, the effects of age are clearly visible. The northern and eastern perimeter walls are partly collapsed and partly leaning, posing a real risk of further collapse. In the northeastern section, the internal stone paving has subsided by approximately 20 cm, probably due to the washing away of the underlying soil by groundwater.
However, the most critical condition is that of the well opening of the cistern, which has almost completely deteriorated. There is a danger that the cistern’s stone rim, which rests on the well opening along approximately 50% of its cross-section, could collapse into the cistern. This rim is a unique piece carved from a single block of stone, bearing the engraved construction year, 1880.
In addition, the joints between the stone blocks along the entire perimeter wall need to be repaired and reinforced in order to stabilize the structure.
The well opening is partially exposed because half of the metal-coated protective cover, donated in 2011, has apparently been removed, while the remaining part has been partially damaged.
The well opening of the cistern was repaired on August 13, 2026, with the works carried out in stages over a period of four days. The costs of the necessary materials and the work were covered by Željko Narančić, while the repairs themselves were carried out by Vrebac craftsman Jovo Jovica Sunajko.
Additional
A letter was sent to Hrvatske vode, the public water management company, requesting that the legal status of the cistern be determined and that the possibilities for its rehabilitation be assessed.