The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country located in the Balkan region of the southeastern Europe and enriched with traditions, sights, and beautiful landscapes. Its tourist attractions are medieval cities, beautiful rivers and crystal clear lakes decorated with marvelous mountain of Dinaric Alps. The capital city, Sarajevo is famous for the old town, Baščaršija, the Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque built in the 16th century among many others.
Despite the political history of destruction, primarily during the period of the former Yugoslavia with conflicts that took place in the early nineties, Bosnia and Herzegovina became an attractive touristic country. Tourist can now visit it to see its magnificent mountains, winding rivers, churches and bridges, and ancient towns and cities to see how a country rose from the ashes of wars.
1. Exploring Sarajevo in Depth
Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina with a rich historical and cultural heritage to boast with. Located in a valley among mountains it combines the features of East and West. Visiting Sarajevo, a traveler gets an impression that he or she breathes the air of the representatives of four different civilizations.
Baščaršija – this is part of the old bazaar in the city of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The cultural implications of Baščaršija are much wider than just being a market because it is the historical core of Sarajevo. It has small roads with numerous stores that offer traditional items, bars that prepare Bosnian coffee, and many other structures. Among these are:
Sebilj Fountain: An architectural structure featuring an Ottoman-style wooden fountain and considered as one of the city’s symbols.
Brusa Bezistan: Covered market of ancient construction with elements of gothic and renaissance style constructed in the 16th century; currently a museum.
Gazi Husrev-bey’s Bezistan: Altogether, the new religious building was constructed by the mosque’s founder – a striking covered bazaar that well illustrates the commercial dynamics of Sarajevo.
Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque
It must be mentioned that when speaking of the Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque, one no longer speaks only of an architectural monument, but of an active point of the community. This mosque has beautifully decorated internal design and layout with the mihrab assumed to hold the kiblah – the location that a prayer should face and the wooden minbar or pulpit. Mosque complex also contains a clock tower and side madrasah extends a preview of the historical and educational function of the mosque.
2. Natural Wonders of Bosnia
Through such a scenic beauty, Bosnia and Herzegovina are characterized by a combination of rugged backgrounds and calm water features such as rivers and waterfalls.
Pliva Waterfall in Detail
Jajce is a perfect example of a town that offers both, naturality and history, as it is home to Pliva Waterfall. The waterfall is situated at the junction of the two rivers-Pliva and Vrbas, so that the sight is majestic. It also has historical customs for the Second sitting of the Anti-Fascist Council of the People’s Liberation of Yugoslavia, also known as AVNOJ in 1943 which marked the formation of modern day Yugoslavia.
Una River National Park
Una National Park is indeed a perfect place for the lovers of nature. This park has crystal like water bodies, extensive greenery and wild life that makes it a perfect park for tourist interested in eco tourism. Activities in the park include:Activities in the park include:
- Rafting: The features that attract many people to the Una River include including the many rapids that make rafting here a fascinating event.
- Fishing: Some fish species are found in the river especially suitable for fishing for those fishermen who like to fish to catch fish.
- Hiking: Many pathways are available for hiking and help the visitors immerse themselves in the park’s erotic landscapes.
Jajce Water Mills
The structures as water mills near Jajce are not only found as the working constructions but also the part of cultural heritage. These mills were constructed during Austro-Hungarian rule and served a significant purpose of milling grain for the public. It is now beautifully preserved and has become an area of visual delight presenting a picture of what life was like in the olden days in the country.
3. Cultural and Historical Sites
Many cultural and historical monuments opened for visit demonstrate not only the rich historical past of Bosnia and Herzegovina but also the multipliclicity of the country’s roots and the conflicts that surrounded it.
Tjentiste War Memorial
The Falls of Tjentiste and its sculptor, Miodrag Živković, reminds the people of the suffering and tragic self-sacrifice and spirit of defiance of people. These two wings made of concrete placed in the starting position to rise up from the ground symbolize the struggle of the Partisans against the fighters of the Axis powers. The Sutjeska National Park that surrounds the area is also a place of interest due to tourism enhancement o the natural scenes and historic points.
Tito ARCA D-0 Nuclear Bunker
This nuclear bunker located near Konjic and built in the period of Cold War in Yugoslavia is something you can’t overlook. The idea of covering the bunker as an art gallery with the works of worldwide contemporary artists adds to the gloom of the shelter’s use contrasted with the liveliness of modern art.
Drina River and the Ottoman Bridge
The Ottoman Bridge of Višegrad which is described in the Nobel Prize awarded novel of a Yugoslav writer Ivo Andrić named “The Bridge on the Drina” is considered to be an epitome of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s culture. The bridge is a symbol of an arch and the arches cross the Drina River separating not only two shores but also two different stories that the region has to tell.
Conclusion
Bosnia Herzegovina is a country of contrasts and reconciliations or struggle between past and present of this country. It is a country of speedy and noisy markets one day and clear rivers and breathtaking mountains the next. Every place, both the natural environment and structures created by people, are an example of courage, uniqueness, and aesthetical appeal.
When traveling throughout the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one will learn the tape that has created this nation. Whether it is their historic tradition in Sarajevo or the scenic beauty of the waterfalls and the rivers or even the thought provoking memorials, Bosnia and Herzegovina offer you a value added trip.