Bjelovar and the area of today’s Bjelovar-Bilogora County were unfortunately affected by serious crimes after the end of the Second World War, when mass persecutions, executions and repressions against opponents of the newly established communist regime took place throughout Croatia. According to previous research, 71 places of martyrdom have been identified in the county, many of which remain unexplored to this day, with an unknown number of mass graves.
One of the most famous burial sites is located in the Lug forest, where seven mass graves were discovered in the summer of 1992. The remains of 228 victims were exhumed. Later, in September of the same year, three new burial sites were discovered in the Trnovka forest, in the municipality of Kapela, from which an additional 65 bodies were recovered, making a total of 293 victims. The victims were soldiers and civilians, who were liquidated without trial, which is typical of many events in the post-war period when many people were executed without due processes. These crimes remain painful and long-hidden chapters of Croatian history.
In June 2006, the common grave in Lugo was completed, providing a permanent resting place for the exhumed victims. In a ceremony on 28 June of the same year, the remains were laid to rest with a dignified funeral, and on that occasion a memorial was unveiled that serves as a reminder of these tragic events and as a tribute to the victims.