Visiting Bosnia (No, really...)

Sarajka

The city of Sarajevo

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The capital city, my home. It hosted the Olympics in 1984 and the longest siege in the recorded history of mankind in the 1990s . Today, the city had been almost completely rebuilt, and is actually growing - major projects include the Bosmal City Center, the highest buildings in the Balkans.

History has ensured that Sarajevo has something to offer everyone, regardless of their interests, faith or nationality. The city has ancient mosques, beautiful churches, and some of the most important Jewish relics anywhere. The border between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, as well as between Christianity as a whole, and Islam.

It also has more cafes, nightclubs, and restaurants - per capita - than any other city south of Vienna. So much to see and do, take a look:

Sarajka

Sarajka

^ Eating cevapcici sausages, a Bosnian specialty




^ Cafe Central. From this place, it is less than a city block in different directions to walk to a Mosque, Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and a Synagogue.


^ Hello, the Bosnian way - *cmok cmok*(kiss kiss)

Simi

You forgot to mention Peacekeepers...

Sarajka

^ Yes, we have many peacekeepers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Thank God). The two largest bases in this country are both located in major cities - Butmir in Sarajevo, and Eagle in Tuzla; however the work of the soldiers more often brings them to smaller communities in the country.

There are still many problems and many reasons for them to stay - specifically organized crime; it became much worse in the chaos of the war, although that was always a problem for Bosnia, situated as we are between Italy/Sicily and Albania.

But the peacekeepers are nice enough. They get a few days off every so often and, if they were stationed in/around Sarajevo, they usually visit Dubrovnik and Budapest; if they were stationed in other regions of the country, they usually visit Sarajevo. Overall, you don't even notice them - but you would notice, very quickly, if they were not here.

Sarajka

From Sarajevo, it is also possible to visit other cities in Bosnia-Herzegovina. For example, Mostar - which boasts the oldest, highest, and longest stone bridge in Europe. The bridge, and the Old City core of Mostar, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Not that any of Bosnia at this time is too touristy, but if it would be - Sarajevo and Mostar would be these places. So in rural Bosnia there are literally thousands of small towns and villages. Most of them have a hotel, a few old ruins, a nice mosque, church, and so on. It is a typical laid back, Mediterranean lifestlye in rural Bosnia - but here the culture is made different by the influence of the Ottoman empire. Oriental music, sweets and pastries, exotic dances, and strong coffee are the rule of life in the Bosnian countryside. As an example, the town of Fojnica - it has a spa, and nothing more. A place to relax.

Here is an example of the type of traditional clothing and dancing that can be seen in rural Bosnia. The first two photos are of Bosnian Muslim couples dancers, the third of Bosnian Christian dancers, the last of unmarried Bosnian Muslim women dancers.

Sarajka

A look at how diverse the communities in Bosnia-Herzegovina are.

These first two photos show the mainly Catholic town of Neum, followed by the mainly Catholic village of Vares:

These two photos show the mainly Muslim town of Travnik, followed by another Muslim village, Pocitelj:

These two photos show the mainly Eastern Orthodox city of Banja Luka, followed by another Eastern Orthodox town, Trebinje:

Sarajka

Even within communities, there is much diversity. Almost all of Bosnia's Muslims are Slavic converts from the Ottoman Empire: white, European Muslims. There are those who are Muslim by faith, and others who are Muslim simply by heritage. Then there are also Gypsy (Roma) Muslims, and immigrants from all over the Islamic world.

These four photos taken in downtown Tuzla, and predominantly Muslim town, show the diversity even among people of the same faith:

Teslican

Amazing Pictures Sarajka!

I hope people can see how far BIH has gotten in the last couple of years, and how much potential it has for tourism!

Teslican

Simi wrote:

You forgot to mention Peacekeepers...

Is that really all you have to say, after seeing all these beautiful pictures!

stagolee

looks like a really beautiful country , might visit next year

namaimo

Wow, amazing photos. I think everyone has images in their head when they think of Bosnia but I think you've just changed mine!

Lex_Diamonds

Was watching a BBC program the other day all about Mostar, and how the bridge was blown up, and subsequently rebuilt.
Looks an absolutely beatiful place, going to put it on my holiday shortlist.

Sarajka

^ The bridge is amazing, not necessarily by itself, but because of it's history and it's symbolism. They say young men and women in Mostar, the bridge is always their first love - before any man or woman. The town name Mostar actually means "Bridgekeeper" in Bosnian.

As our President said that day: "This bridge is a powerful symbol of the unity that has, for centuries, held together the many peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This, sadly, is the reason our beloved Old Bridge was destroyed - but, more importantly, this is why we have rebuilt it!"

The opening itself was mainly for foreign visitors, we couldn't really get close to it that night. There were dancers and so on, but over the next few days it was just amazing. Every day I ended up laughing and crying. There was one old Catholic woman who lived on the West side of the river (Catholic side) and hadn't gone to the East (Muslim) side since the bridge was destroyed. There was countless other bridges to cross, but she wouldn't go. And so this day she came, and the news crews were around. And she got out of her wheelchair, and dragged herself across on her knees. People tried to help her and she shouted them away. And when she was finally across, someone brought her wheelchair and the reporter asked her how she felt and she just tapped her chest to show she was trying not to cry and said, "That's enough, that's all I wanted."

There were also more than 50 couples married on the bridge in those two days - most of them were mixed couples, Catholic and Muslim. One Catholic man and Muslim woman that were married last summer on the bridge had been engaged since 1994 - and wouldn't marry until they could do it right there.

Here is a few more photos for you:

Sarajka

Here are a few videos for you, so you can truly experience what it is like.

When you click the link, scroll down to the bottom and click "FREE", then it will allow you download the MPG file I uploaded on the server.


http://rapidshare.de/files/1415409/mostar3.mpg.html
^ This one shows the actual night of the bridge opening, after all the ceremonies. Here a long line of Bosnians waits to cross through the gate and make their way across the bridge. The song that is playing, which everyone is singing along, is an old song. The chorus says "Moj, moj grad" (My, my city).


http://rapidshare.de/files/1415467/mostar4.mpg.html
^ This video is a few days later, and you can see the bridge is still thick with residents who simply cannot stay away from it.


http://rapidshare.de/files/1415336/mostar1.mpg.html
^ This video is a panorama of the Old Town core of Mostar, with a view of the shops, the bridge, and as well a view to the West (Catholic) side of town.


http://rapidshare.de/files/1415372/mostar2.mpg.html
^ This video is another panorama, this time deeper in the heart of the Muslim side of Mostar. You hear the Hodza (Imam) doing the call to prayer. If Mostar had a "Jewish" district, this would be it. All of the city's 56 remaining Jews live in this general area.

tea

Great photos Sarajka!

I visited Bosnia about a year ago, and though it was fantastic! Sarajevo is a brilliant, lively city, and the people couldn't be friendlier or more fun to be around. Can't remember how many evenings I spent there listening to friendly local people talking about the city and country, and quizzing us about Ireland.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say Sarajevo is about my favourite city in Europe these days - lots to see, great people, good value, and not many tourists about yet.

PlayaFlow

Ok whats the deal???? u already made another thread about this stupid topic.
who gives a damn, ....are you employed by a bosnian tourism agency or something??? and stop using these boards to advertise.
most countries in eastern europe are viewed badly but stop trying to make it look like bosnia is something special , becuase its not.
if i were to visit eastern europe , id go to hungary , prague(CZ) , croatia etc .
bosnia would probably rank amongst the lowest.

Sarajka

God bless you, Tea. You make me so proud.

About Ireland, there is an Irish pub in Sarajevo. I kept a clipping from a UK newspaper that did a review, I will type it out for you. The review is from 1997, just two years after the war, so things were different:

"Sarajevo's Irish Pub is a lesson in irony. The decor is certainly a little overdone - shamrocks and kegs adorn every wall. The cuisine is distinctly Bosnian: it has simply been given an Irish name. Order "fishy chippes" and you get a salmon filet on a bed of rice. There is little knowledge about Ireland. None of the leggy Bosnian waitresses seem all to certain when St. Patrick's Day is, but I'm told they will find out and will surely celebrate it next year. As well, in a real Irish pub the televisions would be airing football games, not live coverage of trials at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia at the Hague. Despite everything, though, you cannot help but feel a certain sense of home. The Bosnian people sit in booths, drinking vodka and 'Sarajevsko Pivo', looking out a city ruined. The people are as proud of these war ruins as they were of the great city that once stood in their place; they look around at a devastated country and say to themselves: I am SO LUCKY to be living here. There is nothing more Irish than that."

Sarajka

Playa:

The other thread wasn't about visiting Bosnia, it was about fashion. I simply answered the questions people posed to me.

No, I don't work for the Bosnian tourism agency. And your opinion of my country is your own, others feel differently - Tea being a perfect example.

If you do not like it, you do not have to read this thread? I don't believe I've broken any rules?

stagolee

you may not work for a bosnian tourist agency but you have certainly made me think about making a trip to mostar or sarajevo. it looks like a beautifull place, thanks for all the info & pics.

Sarajka

^ Mount Vlasic Resort


^Panorama


^ Plava Voda, a spa.


^ Old Travnik Cheese, one of Bosnia's main exports...:) Hahaha

Sarajka

Gracanica is quite an important village in Bosnia these days. It is one of a handful of Muslim villages that survived the war. Nothing was destroyed, very few people were killed. Gracanica today is the same as much of Bosnia was before the war - you can say it is the same as all of Bosnia if you switch the mosque with a church sometimes.

So here is a beautiful village to visit, a symbol of Bosnia that survived - and a preview of all that is being rebuilt:

Padraig Mor

I've long wanted to visit Bosnia, especially Sarajevo. Hope to get there soon. I noticed you posted a pic of Banja Luka - is the Republika Srpska still a bit dodgy, or have things calmed down a bit?

BTW - lovely pictures, but they're really gonna annoy people on dial-up!

Culchie

Mostar and Medjegore are only a couple of hours drive from Dubrovnik area.

Mostar is a 'must see' on any trip to that area.


The countryside is extremely barren, devastated by war, and yet to be re-built.
Unemployment runs at 40%, 80% in some regions.

If anyone could do with some of the tourist dollars, it is Bosnia. Well done sarajaka.

Sarajka

^ I won't comment on Republika Srpska, Padraig. As a Bosnian Muslim with few surviving family members, I'm *very* biased. I will say, though, that as a tourist - you will not notice many great differences between it and the rest of Bosnia. The economy is visibly worse in the RS, and the language is written with Cyrillic letters - but culturally, it's more or less the same. The people in the RS, the vast majority of them, are good people. They simply went with "their own" because it was the safest choice to make during the war. There are no more Serbian nationalists than there are Croat and Bosniak nationalists, the only difference is their nationalists had the weapons and the power when the fighting began. Things are improving. At a ceremony to re-open a destroyed mosque in the RS city of Bosanska Dubica, there were more Serbs in attendance to celebrate than Muslims. The problems today are all reactionary.

For example, most conversations will take this route, but take much longer to do so:

Bosnian Muslim: I didn't want this war, it was stupid.
Bosnian Serb: I didn't want it either, we ruined this beautiful country.
Bosnian Muslim: Yes, it was bad for everyone - but it was worst for us, because of your nationalists.
Bosnian Serb: Do the 100 Serbian widows in Celebici cry any less than the 7000 in Srebrenica?
Bosnian Muslim: It's not the same!
Bosnian Serb: It IS the same!
Bosnian Muslim: What about 1916!?
Bosnian Serb: What about 1943!?
Bosnian Muslim: I KILL YOU!
Bosnian Serb: I KILL YOU FIRST!

It will fade with time.

RE: Culchie - Yes, unemployment is still a very great problem, but not in the way you may think. Almost all Bosnians work - the grey and black economies are quite healthy. Everything is underground, and much of it is illegal. None of this shows itself on the surface.

Sarajka

^ To steal a Rebecca West quote, in which she explains it better than I ever could:

"If I were to go down into the marketplace, take one of the peasants by his shoulders, and ask him: In your lifetime, have you ever known peace? And then shake his shoulders, and transform him into his Father, and ask him the same question - then shake his shoulders, and transform him, in turn, to his father, and ask him the same question: I would never hear "yes". If I carried my questioning of the dead back for a thousand years, I would always hear "no". There is no such thing as a quiet dinner in the Balkans. Sooner or later someone always brings up the past, and when there is talk of the past, there is always a sense of the unresolved."

Sarajka

One of the fastest-growing tourist attractions, river rafting:




^ Una River


^ Neretva River

Teslican

Sarajka, looks like the thread is really doing well and doesn't that sound like one of our conversations

Padraig Mor, I am from the Republika Srpska part of the country.

It is no different than the federation except for that instead of mosques every few meters, there are orthodox churches

The people are just as friendly as in the federation, and the nature is just as beautiful, and yes things are mainly written in Cyrillic, and yes the economy is a bit worse, but all in all its the same country. The major tourist attractions are:

Banja Luka


It is an extreamly beautiful city. It is largest in RS, and second largest in the whole country. (pop. 221,000) The city, is full of cafe's, churches, historic monuments, such as the Old Castle, and Ferhadija Mosque (under reconstruction) The city had 16 other beautiful mosques, but all were destroyed in the war. It has two Orthodox churches, both worth visiting, and one catholic church, which isn't that amazing.. One of the jewels of the city is, the blue Vrbas river, goes through the main part of the city, and is a Must See! All in all the city is a Jewel to BIH and thank the lord we didn't lose it

Trebinje


Trebinje is Located in the Herzegovina Region of the country, and is a very Unique city. It has almost everything a tourist town should have, it is near the sea, warm, full of history, nature, and offcourse it's own special charm. The whole town as a whole is a attraction, everything from the River, to the cobwebbed streets, to the Monastery.. it's simply beautiful

Banja Vrucica


Now i know what your thinking.... Bosnia has a Spa!?!? hehehe.. well yes it does! and this is just one of many Beautiful spa's in our country :cool:

Banja Vrucica is located in Northern Bosnia, in the suburbs of the Town Teslic. It is a Must see if you are on your way to Banja Luka. It has many things to offer, such as, Sports, Recreation, Swimming, Therapy, Mineral waters, and is best known for it's rehabilitation centers. It is a large Cafe seen during the night, so basically if you want to get away from the city, and enjoy the country, but at the same time Party all night... Welcome To Banja Vrucica!

Teslican

Zvornik


Bijeljina


Doboj


Trebinje (again)

Teslican

Sarajka

^ You should upload them to ImageShack, Teslican. I had to do it with all the Travnik/Gracanica pictures.

Culchie

methinks we get the message....Bosnia has some nice places to visit.

Sarajka

King Paddy (as we call the High Representative Paddy Ashdown that you gave us) said today he is going to focus on improving Bosnia's imagine in Western Europe. He repeated his speech about how all his UK friends and family have turned his Sarajevo home into Hotel Ashdown during the summer.

Anyhow, the new commercials for local consumption have been released.

It shows a Bosniak group doing a traditional dance. Then it shows blurry, dream-like scenes of Muslim areas of Bosnia. THen it shows a Serbian group doing a traditional dance, then dream-like scene sof Serb areas. Then it shows a Croatian group doing traditional dances, and blurry scenes of Croat areas. Then it repeats, much faster - no sound, no music, just the sound of kolo (circle dance) foot stamping. Faster, and faster, and then at the very end is a giant, loud stamp of all three together and it shows Sarajevo sunset and says: Bosna i Hercegovina - Nasa Domovina (Bosnia and Herzegovina, our land).