During the Second World War the Ustaše held the city together with Italian troops. During their presence, the Italians built several forts for observation of the city.. The city was the center of operations of the Franciscan order of Herzegovina who played a leading role in the genocide and forced conversions of Serbs. A number of prominent Ustaše officials, including Andrija Artuković were educated at the Široki Brijeg school and monastery.