Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Southeastern European country located in the western Balkans, bordering the Adriatic Sea, it was formerly one of the states of the former federation of Yugoslavia until it declared its independence in March 1992. BiH is bordered by Croatia, Mpntenegro, and Serbia.
The capital of the country is Sarajevo; important regional cities include Mostar and Banja Luka.Spoken Languages are Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian (all official).
Religious Demographics of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to members of numerous ethnic groups. The three largest are the Bosniaks the Serbs, and the Croats.
Islam
Recent demographic surveys suggest 50.1% of the population in Bosnia today identify as Bosniaks, or Muslims. The vast majority live in the region of Bosnia and Herzegovina; very few live in Republika Srpska.
Orthodocs Christians
Eastern Orthodox Christianity is the second largest religious grouping in Bosnia and Herzegovina after Islam, and the most widespread denomination of Christian religion in the country.
When the Ottomans conquered the Kingdom of Bosnia in around 1463, it created radical changes in the religious structure in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The period was the time when Islam was taking root, but also Orthodox Christianity was also spreading into the country, and Sultan Mehmed promised to protect the Orthodox Christianity.
Catholicism
Just over 15% of Bosnians are Catholics or Croats. Most live closer to Croatia’s border including western Herzegovina and northern parts of Republika Srpska. Mostar, to the west of the River Neretva, has a sizable Croat population and the Cathedral of Mary, Mother of the Church dominates the western skyline. Sarajevo has the elegant late 19th-century Sacred Heart Cathedral. The Cathedral of Saint Bonaventure in Banja Luka has a strange futurist design.
What to do in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Top attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Old Bridge (Stari most)
- Bascarsija bazaar
- Sutjeska National park
- Jahorina
- Kravice Waterfalls
- Kozara National park
- Bridge on the Drina
- Vrelo Bosne
- Una National park
- Andricgrad
- Prokosko Lake
- Bjelasnica
- Treskavica
- Veternica cave
Bascarsija
Baščaršija is one of the few Balkan čaršijas to have preserved a truly authentic atmosphere. The shopkeepers and craftsmen in the čaršija are all old Sarajevans who have returned after the war to their shops and started to work again just as their ancestors did.
Bascarsija is Sarajevo’s old bazaar and the historical and cultural center of the city. Bascarsija was built in the 15th century when Isa-Beg Isakovic founded the town. The word Bascarsija derives from the Turkish language.
Sarajevo- where love is sung most beautifully
How to get to Bascarsija?
Bascarsija is about 4km away from main bus station in Sarajevo, so it is best to get to this popular tourist place by transport.
- Call a taxi service that will take you safely to your desired destination. Yellow taxi +387 33 663-555 or Sarajevo taxi +387 33 660-666 will be at your disposal.
Kravice Waterfalls
Kravice Waterfalls is kind of in the middle of nowhere, in a town that you’d probably not necessarily be visiting otherwise. Luckily, the location is fairly easy to access from a few bigger cities that travelers are more likely to frequent.
Waterfalls is located 86 miles from Dubrovnik, making the trip about two and a half hours by car. From Dubrovnik, the best transportation options are to rent a car, hire a driver or join a tour. There is no public bus service to Kravice, which means hiring a taxi is basically your only other option. You will pay a small fee to get in. The cost was minimal—4 KM, which is equivalent to $2.29 (USD).
Taxi from Mostar to Kravice falls- Expect to pay around €70 – €100 for a full day in summer, but this comes down to your negotiation skills.
Best time to visit Kravice waterfalls
Winters are completely different from summers. The temperature in summer can rise up to above 40 degrees and in winter it can cool down to below zero. Obviously summer months are the best to visit if you want to enjoy the waterfalls and go swimming. In July & August Kravice is the most popular tourist spot in Bosnia, so the best months to visit are the quiet months of June and September.
Prijesnac is a traditional cheese pie originating from the Trebinje area of Herzegovina and the northern parts of Montenegro. The pie is made with a combination of cottage cheese, kaymak or sour cream, eggs, milk, flour, oil, salt, and baking powder.
The batter is placed into an oiled baking tray and the pie is then baked until golden brown. Once done, prijesnac is served immediately while still warm. Although there is not much information about this simple peasant dish, it is believed that the locals had originally prepared it in order to make use of leftover cheese.
The number of horses roaming the Kruzi plateau, at the foot of the Cincar mountain, has been increasing over the past 30 years, many released into the wild by their owners has machines have replaced them in the fields.
Dino Merlin is the most famous Bosnian, Herzegovinian Singer
What is sevdah music?
Sevdah is derived from the Turkish, denoting amorous yearning and the ecstasy of love. But its Turkish origin is adapted from the ancient Arabic word sawda, which encompasses melancholy and black bile.
Sevdalinka (pronounced [seʋdǎliːŋka]), also known as Sevdah music, is a traditional genre of folk music originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mostar
Mostar is most likely the most beautiful town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Located in the south of the country, Mostar is a reminder of the old times. The town is famous for the iconic bridge across the Neretva river, which attracts more and more people every year. But Mostar is more than that – find out why!
Mostar is located in Herzegovina, the south region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Close to the border with Croatia, only 130km from Sarajevo or Dubrovnik and 170km from Split.
The town of Mostar is a cultural center of the region and one of the most beautiful towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The name Mostar comes from the word most, which means bridge, and it can be translated as “The bridge keeper”. Although the town is famous for its iconic bridge across the Neretva river, Mostar has much more to offer. In this old town in Herzegovina, you will find not only mosques (which are great in number) but also Catholic and Orthodox churches, as well as a Jewish synagogue.
The diversity of western and eastern architectural styles can be seen all around town – Islamic architecture and buildings from the Austrian-Hungarian period blend and make Mostar unique and beautiful.
