For over a millennium, Bosnia stood proudly as an independent state, replete with its own ruling dynasty, the Kotromanićs. This illustrious line safeguarded Bosnia’s sovereignty, culture, and traditions until the Ottoman incursion in 1463. Their reign, deeply rooted in local origin, spanned from the nation’s inception to its medieval zenith.
Continue reading “The Family Tree of the Bosnian Royal Family and Dyansties”
Srebrenica is a town in eastern Bosnia and was a UN “safe area” in the 1990s. It was besieged by Serb Army forces, leading to a famine and ultimately culminating in the worst act of mass murder in Europe since World War II 28 years ago.
Hidden in the picturesque setting of Log pod Mangartom, a small Slovenian settlement, stood an ethereal edifice reflecting a significant fragment of Bosnian heritage – a mosque. Its quaint and charming architecture held a unique touch of Herzegovinian origin, manifested in the form of its relatively small minaret, a striking similarity to the stone-built minarets of Herzegovina. Fashioned in wood and bathed in white, the mosque’s actual dimensions remain shrouded in mystery.
Trebinje, a picturesque city nestled in the southeastern corner of Bosnia and Herzegovina, boasts a rich and diverse history that has shaped its unique cultural heritage. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Trebišnjica River and surrounded by lush green hills, Trebinje has been an important crossroads for numerous civilizations throughout the ages. In this article, we will explore the glorious Bosnian history and past of this timeless city.
Founded by the Illyrians in the 3rd century BC, Trebinje has been continuously inhabited for over two millennia. The city’s strategic location, lying between the Adriatic Sea and the Dinaric Alps, made it a highly sought-after prize for various empires, including the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans.
Continue reading “Trebinje: A Glimpse into Bosnia’s Rich Historical Tapestry”
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a mountainous country. The terrain ranges from the dense forest and lush upland pastures in north-central Bosnia to arid and gaunt landscapes in western Herzegovina. Throughout history, the land that comprises modern-day Bosnia and Herzegovina attracted many peoples and tribes. Today, the people speak a Slavic language, but the remnants of a diverse past remain.
Continue reading “Celts, Goths, Illyrians, Slavs and Ancient Bosnia and Herzegovina”
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of the Sarajevo Haggadah is its seemingly everlasting power to connect people. Not just people across the Seder table, although judging from its wine-stained pages, it did that, many times across the years. But more than that, its power to connect people from various backgrounds in the celebration of life.
Located on the Una River in the northwestern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies the regal city of Bihac. Even though it has less than 60,000 inhabitants, Bihac has always played an important role in the history of the country. The striking natural beauty that surrounds this settlement is perhaps one of its most appealing features, along with its long and storied history.
Perhaps no other leader embodies the spirit of Bosnian resistance and the nation’s will to survive than Husein-Kapetan Gradascevic, the Dragon of Bosnia. Many years after his death, a popular sentiment among the Bosnian people, Muslims, and Christians alike (particularly in the Posavina region) was that his name could not be mentioned without shedding a tear. The tragedy of his life is in many ways a quintessential embodiment of the dual nature of the Bosnian national spirit.
Continue reading “The Dragon of Bosnia: Husein Kapetan Gradascevic”
The northern Bosnian city of Tuzla has always been unique. Its deep connection to the earth and its people’s openness and tolerance are some of its most cherished features, almost quintessential of Bosnia itself. But the town has a long and interesting history as well. Some scholars speculate that the area in present-day Tuzla is one of the longest continually inhabited settlements in all of Europe, spanning some 6,000 years.
Blessed with incredible natural beauty, the central Bosnian city of Jajce was once home to kings and queens. Today, the city remains a remnant of the independent Bosnian kingdom, complete with an old quarter, fortified walls, and a magnificent waterfall that feeds to the rivers below.
Continue reading “The Royal Bosnian City of Jajce and Its Magnificent Waterfall”
Bosnian History 