Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Winsome Places
Bosnia and Herzegovina are filled with sights that are beautiful, inspirational, and just plain winsome. These are some of the most winsome places in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so if you ever find yourself in this part of the world, be sure to check these out.
The Kravice Waterfalls
Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to many natural wonders, one of which is the Kravice Waterfalls. These falls are not only stunning, but also a great place to cool off on a hot day. The architecture of the falls is also interesting, with a series of stairs leading down to the pool at the bottom. One can also swim in this refreshing body of water, making it a perfect getaway for those looking for an escape from the heat. A church steeple rising out of the mountain:
The architecture that adorns Bosnia and Herzegovina is stunning, sometimes even outdoing other countries’ artwork. One such building is Neolithic Motajica Monastery Church in Kalinovik, where visitors will find beautiful mosaics on its facade and some intricately designed interiors that go up several stories high. In addition to the art inside the church, there is natural beauty outside as well. Visitors can explore a grove of fig trees, walk by a river or try their hand at fishing. Of course, there are also some more modern places to see art in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well.
The Sutjeska National Park
Sutjeska National Park is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most winsome places. The park is known for its natural beauty, including waterfalls, mountains, and forests. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, camping, and picnicking in the park. There are five different scenic routes through the park that vary in length from four to thirteen kilometers. One highlight of this route is the Natural Bridge (Staza Stiniva) that rises up above the canyon on Zelengora Mountain.
The Velež Mountain: Located just outside Mostar, Velež Mountain provides a winsome view over the city below. Along with many peaks, it has deep gorges carved by rivers flowing through the mountain range. These features have made it an attractive tourist destination and led to designation as a national park in 1962. As such, there are many opportunities for outdoor recreation such as trekking, skiing, horseback riding, fishing, or simply admiring the scenery.
Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge
The Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge is a bridge in the Višegrad municipality of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bridge spans the Drina River and connects the two cities of Višegrad and Rogatica. It was built in the 16th century by the Ottoman Empire’s chief architect, Mimar Sinan.
The bridge is one of the most important pieces of Ottoman architecture in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bridge’s significance to Muslims stems from its association with the founder of Sufism, Sheikh Muhammed-i Hareš. On his way back from a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1557, he met Emperor Selim II at the nearby town of Višegrad and gave him counsel on how to govern Bosnia according to Islam.
As it turned out, this was the exact spot where the Ottomans had been told to build their first mosque in Bosnia. So he commanded that a dervish lodge be constructed next to the tree as well as a mausoleum for himself.
Vilenica Cave
Situated in the north-eastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vilenica Cave is one of the oldest caves in the world. The cave has been open to tourists since 1884, making it one of the first tourist destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, the cave is a truly magical place.
There are guided tours available for visitors with varying lengths from 30 minutes to 3 hours. It is worth noting that there are no handrails or lighting within the cave, so you will need to be sure your visit coincides with daylight hours for safety reasons. The tour will take you through the different levels of the cave, which range from beginner level to very advanced.
One thing you should know before visiting this amazing place is that temperatures inside the cave can fluctuate greatly, especially during summer when they can reach up to 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). So make sure you bring enough drinking water if you plan on spending more than an hour inside.
Stari Most (Old Bridge)
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country located in the Balkans. The country is home to many beautiful places, one of which is Stari Most. Stari Most is a bridge that was built in the 16th century. The bridge spans the Neretva River and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s also known as The Old Bridge or Old Bridge on the Neretva. It was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2008 for its cultural significance and exceptional universal value.
The Old Bridge is an iconic symbol of Bosnia and Herzegovina because it is so well-known around the world. Due to the delicate nature of such old structures, you can’t walk across it but you can admire it from afar with a gorgeous view. You can see the bridge from many spots along the riverbank. One spot is from Kalemegdan Park, where there are benches and restaurants nearby where you can relax while taking in the amazing views.
Gazi Husrev-beg’s Mosque
Built in the 16th century, this mosque is one of the most important Islamic buildings in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in the heart of Sarajevo, and its minaret is visible from almost anywhere in the city.
The mosque is named after its founder, Gazi Husrev-beg, who was a powerful governor in the Ottoman Empire. The mosque is still used for religious purposes today, and it is also a popular tourist destination. Visitors are welcome to enter the courtyard and take pictures, but photography inside the mosque is prohibited.
Other sites to see near Gazi Husrev-beg’s Mosque include the Sarajevo City Hall, which was built in 1906 by Austro-Hungarian architects; Roman Catholic Cathedral; Armenian Church; Jewish Synagogue; Serbian Orthodox Church; Croatian Catholic Church (known as St. Mark’s); Franciscan Monastery; and Baščaršija Square, a vibrant marketplace that has been in operation since 1462.
Church of Saint George, Banja Luka
The Church of Saint George is a Serbian Orthodox church located in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The church was built in the 13th century and has been rebuilt several times since then. It is one of the largest Orthodox churches in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are many tourists visiting this church every year as it is considered to be an important cultural heritage site.
Those who visit it can walk around the gardens where there are trees from all over the world. When coming inside, visitors will see two sculptures that were created by Ivan Meštrović which were made for the building of this church.
One sculpture is called The Crucifixion and is placed above the main altar while another one represents Christ seated on a throne holding out his hands which is right behind the altar. Visitors will also find a small statue of Madonna and Child at the back of the temple.
Arslanagic Bridge
The Arslanagic Bridge is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most recognizable landmarks. The bridge, which was built in the 15th century, spans the Neretva River and is a symbol of the city of Mostar. The bridge is also a popular spot for tourists to take photos. It was named after Husein-kapetan Arslanagić, who commissioned its construction.
In 2007, the bridge reopened following reconstruction from damage sustained during the Bosnian War. A few years later, it underwent additional restoration work due to water erosion caused by an upstream hydroelectric dam project. However, this has become a point of contention among locals with some believing that if not for the rehabilitation work on the bridge, tourism would have been able to sustain itself as a key part of local economy.
While another group believes that even if there were no further maintenance done on the bridge it would eventually collapse under its own weight and gravity over time because it is made out of wood.