BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA REGION

Bosnia and Herzegovina is the heart shaped land situated in the heart of southeast Europe. Right at this teritory eastern and western civilizations met, sometimes clashed, but more often enriched and reinforced each other throughout its long and fascinating history.  Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most diverse countries in former Yugoslavia. Three groups make up the greatest percentage of the population: Bosnians, Croats, and Serbs.  Most important for the visitor nowdays is to know that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a stunningly beautiful country with a vast array of landscapes,cultures, traditions and people.

Things To Do in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Međugorje

Međugorje is a town located in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, southwest of Mostar. It is one of the most well-known destinations in this region, especially in the religious world. Since 1981, it has become a popular site of religious pilgrimage when six local children from Međugorje reported apparition of the Virgin Mary on a nearby hillside. Since than the village has grown to a pilgrimage and tourist destination receiving thousands of visitors every year.  A steep path, broadened and trodden by millions of pilgrims that have visited the place so far, can be seen from the distance and leads from the village houses to the Apparition Hill. The name Međugorje literally means “between mountains”.

Hedona´s tip: In a full day excursion it is possible to visit Međugorje and Mostar. Interested in itinerary suggestion ?

Mostar

Town of Mostar, is known as a place where “east meets west“.  It is a town full of contrasts, rich culture, turbulent history, colorfull sights and tipical cuisine. The city is divided by not only the Neretva River that flows through it but also by religion and culture from one bank to the other.  Enjoy a scenic drive up the Adriatic coast followed by breathtaking Neretva Valley and stunning views of the local countryside. The historic town of Mostar, spanning a deep valley of the Neretva River, developed in the 15th and 16th centuries as an Ottoman frontier. It has long been known for old Turkish houses, mosques bazaar, narrow allies and the Old Bridge after which it is named.The Old Bridge area, with its pre-Ottoman, eastern Ottoman, Mediterranean and western European architectural features, is an outstanding example of a multicultural urban settlement. In the 1990´s conflict most of the historic town and the Old Bridge was destroyed.  The reconstructed Old Bridge and Old City of Mostar is a symbol of reconciliation, international co-operation and coexistence of diverse cultural, ethnic and religious communities. it is on the UNESCOs list of Worlds Heritage from July 2005.

Hedona´s tip:  Let us organize a private sightesing, book a table at the best restaurant and give few more ideas.

Local Gastronomy

Their cuisine is the blend of Turkish, Greek and other Mediterranean cuisines with an influence of the European cuisine as well. Meat is almost an inevitable ingredient of a traditional meal served with delicious home-grown organic vegetables, variety of salads and plates (cheese selection, dried meat or dry spicy sausage called “sujuk”). The most popular gastronomic delicacy is ćevap. Ćevap is a grilled dish of minced meat served in a flatbread “somun”. This delicious dish, along with other grilled meat specialties can be found in a national restaurant called “ćevabdžinica”, mostly in Bravadziluk Street. It is a delicious-cuisine street with numerous tiny traditional restaurants, which in addition to cevap also serve pies (buregdžinica) and saucy meat and vegetables (aščinica). It is a must-visit attraction in Sarajevo.

Hedona´s tip: For group lunch or dinner we can privatise a part of the restaurant, organise live music entertainment.

Počitelj

Pocitelj, dating from the 15th century, is a typical small oriental settlement. Fort on the cliff above the town was built by the Catholics in order to protect the village from the ottomans, but ottomans occupied it the middle of the 15th century. It used to be an important stop for the caravans. Upon arrival to Mostar a local guide will greet and start the sightseeing tour, tell you more about history of Mostar, its architecture and culture, and show the highlights of that beautiful town.

Hedona´s tip: Ideal place for a short  photo break.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo is a city where even strangers can feel at home due to its particular charm visible on busy streets with many shops, restaurants and coffe bars. Although Sarajevo is a capital city typified by the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it also possesses a unique friendly and relaxed atmosphere. This city summarizes a centuries-old struggle against outside influences combined with the absorption of these influences into one of the most diverse cultures in Europe. Here the Byzantine and Ottoman empires of the east and the Roman, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian empires of the west left an indelible mark through culture, traditions and religions. Indeed, few places on earth feature an Orthodox and a Catholic church, a mosque and a synagogue within easy walking distance of each other.

Hedona´s tip: To trully enjoy this beautiful town we suggest at least one owernight. Need accommodation suggestion ?

Baščaršija

Baščaršija is  the city’s old marketplace and a cultural and historical center of the city. It is located on the left bank of the river Miljacka. It represents the main tourist location of Sarajevo. In Baščaršija you can find several historical objects like Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque or the Sahat Kula (the Clock Tower). Baščaršija was made in 1462. when the Isa-beg Isaković made an inn and several shops on the north bank of the Miljacka River. The word Baščaršija comes from ’’baš’’ which means the main on Turkish and ’’čaršija’’ a kind of a marketplace and that is why the Baščaršija means ’’the main marketplace’’.

Hedona´s tip: Feel free to get „lost“ in the narrow streets. It is the best way to get to know the city !

The Jewish heritage in Sarajevo

The history of the Jews in Sarajevo can be traced back over 400 years ago when the first Jews arrived in Sarajevo as early as 1541. They were mostly artisans, merchants, pharmacists, and doctors.  They built their own quarter, dubbed El Cortijo (the courtyard), in 1577 with permission from the pasha Siavush. The community built a synagogue in El Cortijo in 1580 with the help of a Turkish benefactor, in a building called Velika Avlija.  By the end of the 16th century, the building where Velika Avlija stood became known as old Jewish Cathedral, Sarajevo’s first synagogue.

Hedona´s tip: We can organize a guided tour with emphasis on Jewish heritage.