Bosnia and Herzegovina is a very old country with rich history and heritage. Many cultures have shaped the country, and every epoch has left its mark. Sarajevo is one of the oldest cities of the country. This is the capital and the largest cultural centre of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Travellers are traditionally interested in visiting the eastern part of the city as there are many architecture landmarks there. The main sights include Sacred Heart Cathedral, City Hall, Saint Josef’s Church, Old Synagogue and Old Orthodox Church. One interesting fact about Sarajevo – Christian churches border with Islamic mosques on the streets of the city.
Many sanctuaries of the city were constructed in the 15th – 17th centuries and have survived till our days in almost pristine condition. The most famous mosques of Sarajevo are Emperor’s Mosque, Ali Pasha’s Mosque and Ferhadija Mosque. There are around one hundred mosques in the city in total, and many of them keep collections of ancient manuscripts and religious artefacts. Ferhadija is not only the name of the mosque, but also of a large pedestrian street. This is a favourite place for tourists as many souvenir and craft shops, as well as a big market, are located there.
Mostar is an unofficial capital of the country. The city is rich in places of interest; there are many old churches and historic buildings there. However, Stari Most (Old Bridge) remains the signature landmark of Mostar. The building of the bridge took place in 1566 under command of famous architect Mimar Hayruddin. The bridge is 20m high and is considered one of most famous constructions of its era. The bridge was severely damaged during the war with Croatia. Besides the Old Bridge, several hundred churches were destroyed in that war, so now only ruins remind of once magnificent sanctuaries. Tabacica Mosque is another famous landmark of Mostar. The mosque dates back to 1600. It was also damaged and later reconstructed precisely by local architects and builders.
Banja Luka is a prominent city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a famous balneology resort and one of best recreation areas in Europe. There are several dozen healing springs in the city. As a rule, resorts and treatment centres were built near these springs. Baja Luka is also a city of rich heritage and can be proud of its beautiful parks and interesting museums.
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Cities and sights of Bosnia & Herzegovina