[Lost Place] Hotel Sutjeska
On a trip through Bosnia-Hercegovina, I visited National Park Sutjeska. This is home of the monument Tjentište and the Valley of the Heroes.
Across the road I walked into the restaurant to drink something. At the bar there was an old local man drinking alone. He saw me coming in and started talking to me after a while. He asked where I was from and what I was doing here. After I answered his questions, I asked him the same questions.
'My name is Goran Cachović, I am the janitor of the Hotel Sutjeska. You can see it across the road. But there is not much left to do, there are no guests anymore and I think the management has forgotten about me. One day nobody showed up anymore. I tried to keep it tidy, but I'm getting old and I really don't think anybody cares anymore. So now I kill my time with drinking here.'
It was a sad story. I told him I was sorry for him.
'Don't be,' he said. 'It was great to work there. The guests were nice and gave me some nice tips when I arranged something for them!'
He leaned over and started whispering.
'You know there was a secret room where I kept all the stuff that guests left behind? It was one big treasure. From stupid things like umbrellas to really expensive things like phones. Phones without a wire! You will not believe it...I also kept the guest book for all those years.'
I told him I was interested and that I wanted to see his secret room and write in his guest book..
'Well, to be honest, I couldn't tell you where it is anymore. I haven't been inside the building for years. The only thing I remember is that I left some hints inside the building when I started forgetting things. Maybe if you follow my instructions, you will find the secret room. Also, it was not on the top floor, because that was where we put the guests we didn't like, so they had to walk up all those stairs every time. The hotel has no elevator, you see? And only the nice guests left some things behind and wrote in the guest book. The other guests stuff we just threw away in the garbage. Maybe that is why there are no guests coming anymore... Here, I will tell you what I remember. Good luck to you!'
The old man told me to write down some things on a napkin and started telling me his instructions. I finished my drink and drove to the former hotel to see if I could find what he told me about.
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Remember: Entering this abandoned building is completely at your own risk. In June 2024, the building was safe to enter. But things can change quickly. Geocaching.com nor the Cache Owner are responsible for any damage or injuries that may be caused when entering the building.
Make sure you take a flashlight with you. During day time, the flashlight on your phone will be good enough.
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He told me this:
"Park your car in front of the hotel. Go to N43 20.560, E018 41.376 to park your car.
Start outside of the building.
Go to: N43 20.552, E018 41.374
Here you will find the stone stairs, probably they are a bit overgrown now. Back in my time they used to be glorious, with a red carpet and all. Go up these stone stairs. Count the number of steps and remember them.
The number of steps of the stone staircase= A.
Now, you find the spiral staircase to your right. Go up the spiral staircase and also count the number of steps.
The number of steps of the spiral staircase = B.
At the top of the spiral staircase, you will find the reception area directly in front of you. I have left the room number where you have to go in a specific direction on the left side of where the reception used to be.
Write down the room number.
To be sure I wouldn't forget, I wrote the first letters of my first and my surname there as well. It might be easier to spot the room number then.
After you wrote down the room number, step to the middle of the area between the top of the spiral staircase and the reception.
Turn to your left when you have the spiral staircase to your back. Set a number of (A+B) steps and you will find the staircase going to the room floors on your right.
Now, go up until you went up the stairs by a number of again (A+B) steps.
Here you will find the direction you have to go when you get to the room number you have found before. I wrote my first and last letter before the direction, so it will be easier to spot.
Now all you have to do is find the right room and take the direction you have found, after you have passed that room number.
The room numbers are always written on the wall at eye level or higher. If I remember correctly, you will find my secret room in front of you if you have followed my instructions. There you will find what you are looking for.
Maybe there is still something that you will like, the guest book might even still be there. Maybe not, I don't know, I haven't been there in ages.
In case you cannot find all the information I left, or if it is unreadable, then go to the top floor. On both ends of the corridor, you can find the right location if you sit on your knees. I remember the last few times I wanted to visit my own secret room, I had to crouch to find the hints on the top floor. My memory is failing me..."