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Banja Luka

Culture of Banja Luka. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

In the past, Banja Luka was a large industrial center, but many architectural and historical landmarks were destroyed during military actions. In 1993, Serbian militiamen destroyed 16 ancient mosques. Only several places of interest have miraculously survived after the battles. On the bank of the Vrbas River, there is still an ancient fortress, the building of which took place in the 16th century. Even nowadays, this gorgeous construction never ceases to amaze foreigners with its impregnability. The fortress has survived a number of attacks and sieges and witnessed many important historical events.
Banja Luka is a capital of Republika Srpska and a city with long and rich history. Banja Luka has never been considered a popular tourist destination as this is a large industrial center, … Open
Thanks to the efforts of talented architects, it has become possible to restore the Church of Christ the Savior, and nowadays it is one of the most important religious landmarks of the city. The inimitable architecture of the church is in line with its gorgeous inner décor thought out to the last detail. Unfortunately, the majority of priceless artifacts were lost during military actions. The Presidential Palace is one more important architectural landmark that is also regularly visited by a great number of tourists.
Vacationers should also not forget to stroll on beautiful Krajina Square, which has a high concentration of various cafes, restaurants, and shops. The main park of Banja Luka borders with the square. It is also a fantastic place for a leisure walk. However, thermal springs still remain the biggest attraction and symbol of the city. Thanks to their healing properties, Banja Luka turned into a large balneology resort from an ordinary industrial town. The city’s outskirts are full of unique natural landmarks, so there’s no wonder why fans of eco-tourism love these picturesque areas so much. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Many characterize the national cuisine as an original combination of Southern Slavic, Turkish, Mediterranean, and German culinary traditions. In the menus of all national cuisine … Open
Water Mills and Cascades of the Krupa is one of these landmarks. It’s a fabulous place that appeals to different categories of locals and tourists. Fans of architecture will be pleased to explore the antique water mills, while fans of extreme sports never get tired of high-speed rafting on the Krupa River. If rafting is not your cup of tea, canoeing is a way to go. Nearby, there are always groups of anglers who wait patiently, trying to catch a carp or trout. All these activities have become very popular and got a growing international competition base.
WP_001361 The Banski Dvor Cultural Centre is a very interesting landmark. It was built from 1929 to 1932. Initially, this should have been the headquarters of the governor (“Ban”) of the Vrbas Banovina, but in 1955 the building became a cultural center. The center offers a range of activities and hosts various exhibitions, public meetings, performances, lectures, art studio workshops, and more. For tourists, the Banski Dvor is an amazing place to get acquainted with the local community.
Ethnic diversity is one of the main national peculiarities of Banja Luka. There are many ethnic groups that practice different religions and follow different national traditions. That said, … Open
One of the most iconic landmarks of the region, Krupa Monastery, is located approximately 20 kilometers away from Banja Luka. The monastery was constructed in the 13th century over an ancient necropolis. Archeologists have discovered an old basilica on the site, the age of which is close to the emergence of Christianity. At the end of the 17th century, the monastery was attacked several times, and so it was nearly destroyed and then rebuilt in the 19th century. During World War One it was burnt down once again, and the building lied in ruins till the 1960s.
There are several interesting museums in Banja Luka, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art that exhibits the largest collection of the 20th-century art in Republika Srpska. The collection is divided into several parts and features sculptures, paintings, graphic design, and new forms of art. The museum regularly hosts modern exhibitions on a number of themes including politics, demonstrations, and many more.
Tourists will never feel bored in Banja Luka. This gorgeous city is home to many talented artists, musicians, and theatre groups. There is usually some event, interesting exhibition, or a … Open
One of the symbols of the city is Tvrđava Kastel – a fortress which served as a defense against the attacks of enemies from the north for a long time. The area on which the building was constructed originates from the ancient Roman times. The modern fortress was built in the 16th century. It was however reconstructed in the year 2012. During the reconstruction, many items of Ancient Rome were discovered at the site of the fortress. It is believed that the very first fortress was built in the 2nd century and was called Castra. The modern building served first as the residence of the Bosnian representative (Sanjak), and in 1737, played a major role in the large-scale battle between the Austrians and the Bosnians.
An important religious monument is the Samostan MARIJA Zvijezda monastery. Today, no one from the religion can be found here, since they left the abbey during World War II, in 1944. Today, you can learn about the Trappist monks, see and visit the Klasztor Marii Gwiazdy church, the cemetery and some residential buildings, all here. Some of the monastery’s halls are currently used as a brewery facility. Also here, as in the good old days, they produce cheese, liqueurs, as well as tinctures, and these can be purchased in a separate section.
1. Tourists should not explore distant areas of the city on their own. It is also important to be very attentive in public areas in order not to become a victim of swindlers or pickpockets. … Open
The modern looking Saint Bonaventure Catholic Cathedral immediately attracts attention to itself. The original church building was badly damaged by the earthquake that happened in 1969. Already in 1973, it was rebuilt which is why it has such a futuristic look. An interesting idea is the bell tower with five bells, and 42 meters in height. Inside the cathedral you will find interesting a stained glass window and a mosaic. The cathedral is notable for the fact that Pope John Paul II presented it a sculpture of Jesus carrying the world. The sculpture is now installed in front of the building, serving as a kind of light tower for tourists so that they do not miss the landmark.
Gradski stadion Banja Luka was originally built in 1937, but acquired a new life in 2012, as the building suffered damage during World War II. Besides the fact that interesting matches take place here, you can be a witness to concerts, you only have to follow the billboard. Another architecturally interesting building is perhaps the cultural center of Banski Dvor. The complex was built in 1932, and was the headquarters of the governor. Today there are concerts, exhibitions, performances being held here. Simply put, cultural life flows here.
Be sure to visit Etno Muzej Ljubacke Doline – all this is necessary in order to feel love for the local culture, and get to know it better. This authentic village forever lingers in the memory of everyone who visited it. You can find here a great collection of antiques. Museum of the Republike Srpska tells about the history of Serbia from the earliest times. However, the main focus is on the history of the Second World War and the conflict in Yugoslavia. There is an open-air museum on the street, where you will find samples of military equipment such as tanks, guns, howitzers.
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Iconic cultural sights of Bosnia And Herzegovina

A great place for those who prefer cultural pastime is the oldest National Theater. It is located on the Ban Kulin in Sarajevo where you can watch ballet, spectacles, and operas. Performances of local, regional, and international troupes take place here. Another remarkable National Theater is in the city of Zenica surrounded by mountains and hills. This theater built in the 50's has several awards and recognition for its fruitful work and artistic achievements, focusing on involvement in the modernity. The building houses 5 stages: big, small, side, and basement, as well as cabaret stages. This diversity allows the National Theater of Zenica to stage all kinds of performances - from ballet, drama, and opera to cabaret show and complex performances with the use of puppets and multimedia. … Open
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Preferred to Open 9 New Hotels in 2022

In September 2022, the Sommerro hotel in Oslo will start operating in a carefully restored 1930s Art Deco building. This building is a true landmark of Frogner, a historic neighborhood of the Norwegian capital. A multi-million-dollar renovation carefully turned the largest preservation project in Norway into a modern hotel with 231 rooms, including 56 residences. Preferred will open five more hotels in 2022, namely, The Wall Street Hotel in New York, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences on Singer Island (Florida, the US), TOA Hotel & Spa in Zanzibar, Pendry hotel in Washington, and Pendry Park City hotel in Utah. Read this

28.03.2024

Photogallery of cultural heritage of Banja Luka

Landmarks of culture on Banja Luka map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc

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Excursions over cultural sights of neighbours of Banja Luka

Culture guide to Banja Luka. Which fascinating sights to visit once you are in Banja Luka: temples, churches, museums, theaters and castles. Recommendations (with addresses, phone numbers and links) on the places 'must visit' in Banja Luka. Plan your own city excursion by using this page info!
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