Amazing Places to Visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina – part 1

Bosnia and Herzegovina has so many places worth a visit… Let’s start with some beautiful places in the northwestern part of the country. Make sure to stay tuned for some more amazing places of history and nature.

Bihać

Bihac is a town located on the banks of Una River. It is an amazing location worth spending a few days in.

Bihac was mentioned for the first time as the site of an abbey in 1260. The history of the city, as well as entire county, is interwoven with different cultures, religions, and each of these has left an indelible mark on it. Some of the best attractions of Bihać are:

• Captain’s Tower – Kapetanov toranj

Captain’s Tower in Bihac is the only remaining tower of once four. It was built around 1205 as part of the defensive walls.

According to legend, King Bela IV took a refuge here from a marauding band of Tatar horsemen who were trying to catch him. To show his gratitude to Bihać King Bela IV declared Bihać a free city on February 26, 1260.

Later on, the Tower was used as a prison.

• Antun of Padua Church – Crkva sv.Antuna Padovanskog

St. Anthony of Padua church used to be one of the largest Catholic places of worship in this region. It was built in in 1878, first as a wooden building.

During 1943, seventy percent of the urban city core was destroyed due to Second World War combat.

The Church of the Saint Anthony of Padua was among the destroyed facilities, only the tower and one part of the walls remained standing.

• Fethija Mosque

Fehtija Mosque is a former Catholic church dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. It was built in 1266 and transformed into a mosque following the 1592 conquest of Bihać by the Ottomans It is the oldest gothic building in the country originally accompanied by a monastery.

Ottoman builders left some of the old outlines of the church, few windows on south and north side were sealed up and new windows opened, Gothic rosette above the big entrance door was preserved.

•  Ottoman Turbe

Turbe is a tomb of two pashas who got killed defending Bihac from the powerful Austro – Hungarian army of Franc Joseph. They were buried to rest in piece across from the Captain’s tower. Turbe is octagonal in shape, built using bihacit stone available from the region.

Together with the Captain’s tower and the Catholic Church tower, Turbe makes the historical core of Bihac and gives the city a distinctive mark.

• Ostrožac Castle

Ostrožac Castle is located in the village of Ostrožac, very close to the center of Bihać.

The oldest part of castle has its origins in the 13th century. The Ottomans attempted twice to capture it, in 1538 and 1543, and finally, Ferhat Pasa Sokolovic succeeded in 1577.

The small fort was enlarged to the west, strengthened with murals and towers. Ostrozac. Old Town was constructed a residential building and getting the shape of today’s breath-taking castle.

Since 1967, Ostrožac castle is a sculptor’s colony, creating a gallery under the opened sky.

Want to learn some more about Bosnia and Herzegovina towns? Make sure to check blog post about town of Jajce.