I am always happy to return to the Balkans. Here, I feel at home. After all, the inhabitants of the surrounding areas are also Slavs. In the seclusion of the Dinaric Mountains, surrounding sleepy and quiet towns, I could finally catch the spirit of slow travel and escape the hustle and bustle of a big city. The old, wooden and stone buildings are the mainstay of the long-term tradition of these areas. When I enter the open-air museum, I am surrounded by the smell of dry wood and a sense of – always alive – tradition. However, the unique atmosphere is not everything – the attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina can really make an impression! On site, you can taste regional cheeses made from the milk of sheep grazing in the surrounding meadows. I assure you that when you go on holiday to Bosnia and Herzegovina, you will get to know the Balkan climate and remember what it’s like to slow down the pace of life, even if only for a moment.
Sarajevo – the rebirth of a war-torn city
Without a doubt, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been through a lot in its history. The civil war in Yugoslavia left a special mark on it. Looking at many of the local buildings, you can still see facades torn with bullet holes. Fortunately, the city has undergone a major facelift in recent years. Especially the Old Town pleases the eye with renovated buildings, covered with characteristic stone slate tiles.
In the historically oldest part of Sarajevo, you can see the influence of two countries – Turkey in the east and Austria-Hungary in the west. Certainly, the biggest impression on me was made by the large town hall, well exposed in space. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus also looks beautiful.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the synagogue and the mosque are also attractions. In search of authentic flavors and souvenirs, I went to the local Bazaar Brusa Bezistan and Grand Bazaar, where you can buy copper coffee pots, carpets, fabrics. On wooden stands there are souvenirs created by local artists. Don’t worry – you won’t find any Chinese fakes here, only authentic products. It would be a sin not to bring a crucible for brewing coffee (żezvy) to Poland.
Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque – a must-visit place for residents
Visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot do without visiting a mosque. It is possible during certain hours (9.00 – 12.00). I heard a lot about it being one of the most beautiful mosques in Sarajevo, so of course I wanted to see it. Remember to dress appropriately and cover as much of your body as possible. This basically applies to both genders. If for some reason you are unprepared, don’t worry – they will let you in anyway, but beforehand they will borrow scarves to cover your legs and arms. They will hand them out at the ticket office. The ticket price is 3 marks. What catches the eye the most in this – despite everything quite modest mosque – is the beautifully decorated ceiling, decorated in gold and navy blue. The bright walls contrast with the red carpet, and the balcony railings are made of dark wood.
Bosnian coffee, or visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina in slow rhythm
Even before arriving, I read a bit about the attractions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including for the local Balkan cuisine. Guidebooks don’t lie – this region of the world is famous for its great coffee. Once there, in Sarajevo, I tasted Bosnian coffee, served here in vessels resembling copper Turkish crucibles. Next to us, on a tray, we were served sugar cubes. It is customary here to drink coffee with sugar. In addition, we ordered a small portion of baklava in four types.
If you prefer other drinks, you won’t be disappointed either – in the local small Turkish cafe-style places you will also get great lemonade with lots of lemon and lime. It is so sour that even though I don’t sweeten it every day, this time I broke my rule.
Visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina – Pocitelj, the beloved town of Kusturica
The stone city on the Neretva River, as some people call Pocitelj, became famous primarily as the location of many films by Emir Kusturica. Walking through the stone streets, I am amazed to find that absolutely everything, both the street and the facades of the surrounding houses, are paved with stone cubes – from the ground to the roofs. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life! There is stone everywhere as far as the eye can see. Stone arches, bridges and passages.
What to see in Bosnia and Herzegovina? Pocitejl, for a city located in a civil war area, is extremely clean and well-preserved. One corner in particular impressed me. It’s hard to believe that a fragment of this building is the result of the work of contemporary scenographers, but so well thought out and made that it is fully functional. I see real buildings here that I can walk into and have a cup of coffee, not cardboard set designs. This unusual architecture will last for many years to come.
On a Balkan spit. Cuisine of Bosnia and Herzegovina a tourist attraction
When I looked into the kitchen here, I was pleasantly surprised. It turns out that in these small stone towns the custom of so-called live cooking has been preserved – that is, preparing meals in front of guests. Tasty views give you the feeling of communing with authentic, traditional cuisine. An unusual element is a deep pot for stewing, on the lid of which (called sacz) there are hot coals. There is also a platter of snacks – raw ripened ham, cheese ripened in olive oil, bellows cheese, cicvara (mamaliga cooked with cheese, with the addition of pig fat, eaten with honey). Add a glass of domestic wine – and I’m full!
However, this is only one of the attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Local dishes also include local corn, called stodanac, because it grows for 100 days, and old varieties of peas added to salads. A great delicacy is trout from native, clean rivers, served with a specific sauce, very aromatic, made on the basis of white wine and pepper, thickened with cream. In Bosnia and Herzegovina you will also find dry bread resembling donuts, but completely not sweet and served warm. As you can see, there is plenty to choose from.
What to see in Bosnia and Herzegovina? Medjugorje – the mountain of apparitions
The green and quiet areas here are conducive to the development of spirituality. No wonder that it was in the small Medjugorje that the gospa appeared. It was on one of the hills of this small town that on June 24, 1981, three children had an epiphany. Although many years have passed since these events, their heroes ensure that they receive guidance from the Mother of God every day. The faithful compare this event to the Fatima apparitions, but the Catholic Church does not take a clear position on this matter. The events related to the apparitions undoubtedly contributed to the development of the town’s infrastructure. This tourist attraction in Bosnia and Herzegovina is visited by thousands of believers each year who receive spiritual support, conversions and some even recover. Believe it or not – it won’t hurt to see Medjugorje, if only to satisfy your curiosity.
In Mostar – the capital of Herzegovina
There is one more city on the Neretva that is worth visiting – Mostar. The most famous is the stone Old Bridge from the 16th century with an arched shape, densely besieged by tourists from all over the world. Stretched high above the river, it is used by some daredevils to perform spectacular jumps into the water. However, they do not do it for free – first they expect an appropriate donation from the audience. Interestingly, when the amount is not satisfactory, they will give up the attempt and leave.
Attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina – at the market in Banja Luka
Bosnia and Herzegovina is characterized by the sight of large markets dominated by food stalls. If you want to buy good local products or make a gift to your loved ones and bring them good cheese, go to the market in Banja Luka. It is huge and even in the largest Polish cities it is difficult to find such large bazaars, rich in good quality products. The pitches stretch for several hundred meters.
What can you see in Bosnia and Herzegovina then? A clear thematic division dominates here – on one side there are vegetables and fruits, on the other dairy products, cold cuts, and on a completely different place, textiles. You will find here local products, but also ready-made dishes, prepared at home, e.g. bellows cheese (i.e. sold straight from the leather sack in which it matures), smoked ham or roasted meat. An interesting fact is that bellows cheese, depending on the ripening time, can have a compact or loose-lumpy consistency (it can be spread). The older he gets, the more broken he gets. It is distinguished by an extremely intense flavor.
Sutjeska National Park – in the lair of wild animals
The Sutjeska River, which flows into the Drina, has become a habitat for numerous species of fish. Around it there is a charming canyon and dense vegetation – a home for wild animals. Sutjeska National Park is a great opportunity for outdoor activities, and at the same time one of the most interesting attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is an ideal area for hiking in the mountains. A real attraction for nature lovers. In the protected area there is a perucica – a primeval forest, a wild wilderness where man is forbidden to interfere in nature in any way. The Battle of Sutjeska River once took place in this area, which is commemorated by a monument and a partisan grave commemorating these historic events.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – an attractive Cruise on the Drina River, or a way to stay in the bosom of nature
If you want to stay longer in the bosom of nature, be sure to go on a cruise on the Drina River. The picturesque river canyon is surrounded by forests and mountains. My attention was attracted by the interesting, greenish color of the water, beautiful landscapes, close proximity to nature, peace and quiet. Life here has a slow rhythm, and the surrounding forests provide fresh ingredients for local dishes. Apparently, you can try a rather unusual dish here – goulash with mountain goat. However, I ended the tasting on fried trout. Not only good cuisine, but above all the amazing hospitality of the local hosts make you want to come back here.
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