Cultural sightseeing in Bosnia & Herzegovina. What to visit - museums, temples, castles and palaces

History buffs will be surely be amazed by Zemalskij Museum. It is a national museum in Sarajevo where you can see millions of interesting exhibits. Among them, there are Neolithic artifacts, medieval tombstones and art objects, ancient armor, a Jewish manuscript known as the Sarajevo Haggadah, stuffed bears, Bosnian, Serbian and Jewish folk costumes, and countless other treasures covering thousands of years of Bosnian history. The museum founded in 1888 is divided by three categories: archeology, natural history, and ethnography. Open every day except Monday. It is also recommended to visit the Sarajevo Tunnel converted into the Museum of War. In 1993, the tunnel was used for linking the city with the free territory behind the Sarajevo Airport. Here visitors will be shown a film about the Siege of Sarajevo and offered to explore numerous documents, photographs, uniforms, maps and military equipment of the time.

National traditions and mentality of people in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnians are friendly and hospitable people. They easily start conversations in public transport, offer their help to confused tourists. Bosnians' …
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On the left bank of the Neretva River, on steep cliffs, is Počitelj - a village with soft stone houses and cobbled streets tracing its history from the 14th century. Tours of the village never leave foreigners indifferent: it is surrounded by high walls, and you can only get in through a gate topped by a 16-meter clock tower. Počitelj is interesting for its enchanting combination of Ottoman and medieval architecture, for which it is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Exquisite minarets of the Hajji Alija Mosque erected in 1562 were destroyed during the '90s Balkan Wars and subsequently restored. The mosque's terrace offers a breathtaking view of the rocky landscape.

Tourists engaged in spiritual quests are offered tours of Međugorje. This green town on the mountainside attracts Catholic pilgrims from all over the world. According to legend, Virgin Mary herself appeared here in the 80's. The Blue Cross stands at the foot of the hill, on which she was seen. Masses in Croatian and English are daily held in the Church of St. James and many other cathedrals, which can be freely visited by all comers. The main popular place of Catholic pilgrimage is the Apparition Hill rising near the Croatian border. That's where the Virgin Mary was first and repeatedly seen. The statue of the Mother of God was erected on top of the hill in her honor. The path to the top is rocky and steep, which may be difficult for inexperienced hikers, but it's definitely worth it - the view of the valley is truly fascinating. However, during and after the rain, climbing is dangerous - you can slip and get injured. In the summer, the best time to explore the hill is in the morning when it is still cool. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Things to do in Bosnia & Herzegovina - active leisure

Cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have everything you need for intense nightlife. For example, little cozy metropolitan bar Zlatna Ribica ("Goldfish") …
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A tour of the Muslim Dervish Monastery is another way to plunge into the religious sense. Built in the 15th-16th centuries, the monastery stands under a sheer cliff on the banks of the Buna River. Even today monks conduct dervish ceremonies at the monastery. The monastery is open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Here you can go on a boat trip awakening amazing sensations and allowing you to see the river in the twilight - its waters pass through caves.

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.

What you need to know about Bosnia & Herzegovina prior to visit - advices

1. Although Bosnians are not very punctual, they respect punctual foreigners. Therefore, it's advisable to arrive at meetings on time or with a little …
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Every year Bosnia hosts musical festivals for cultural purposes. They include Sarajevo Evenings of Music, Demofest, Jazz Fest Sarajevo, and Baščaršija Nights.

This article about cultural sites of Bosnia & Herzegovina is protected by the copyright law. You can re-use the content, but only under the condition of placement of an active link to www.orangesmile.com.

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Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Extreme Guinness-type places in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Avaz Twist Tower

From the series “Twisted Spiral Buildings and Towers That Are Real”

One of the most original skyscrapers of the Balkan Peninsula is to be found in the city of Sarajevo. The twisting skyscraper Avaz Twist Tower is the highest in the country and reaches 176 meters. There is a skyscraper on the territory of the Mariin Dvor business district. It is monolithic and is lined with a very beautiful blue glass. The 39-storey skyscraper was built between 2006 and 2009. Avaz company was the customer of its construction. The best specialists of ADS Group Sarajevo, led by architect Faruk Kapidzic, worked on the tower project.

At present, Avaz headquarters are located in the skyscraper, as well as the newspaper Dnevni avaz. In addition, in the skyscraper is a famous Sarajevo Radon Plaza Hotel, and several of its floors are rented for offices. One of the most attractive … Read all

Bosnian Pyramid

From the series “Top Survived Pyramids from Previous Civilizations”

Today, the Bosnian pyramids are considered a pseudo-scientific sensation that has shattered the world about ten years ago. The unique geological formations, located in the surroundings of Visoko, have attracted researchers from all over the world. These are the huge pyramid-shaped green hills covered with forest. The explorers, inspired by the discovery, have assumed that the hills conceal the largest pyramids in the world, called the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon.

The Visotitsa hill, which consists of two pyramid-shaped heights, is regarded as a unitary geological formation. Its height is 213 meters. After extensive research, the scientists have confirmed that the hill was created by the natural forces and the human being did not participate in his education. … Read all

All unique sightseeing Bosnia & Herzegovina

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Travel News

Expo 2020 in Dubai Was Visited by More Than 7 Million Visitors

If you haven’t visited this event yet, there is still time to book a hotel in Dubai because Expo 2020 Dubai runs until 31 March 2022. People who are unable to visit the emirate can make a virtual tour on the Expo 2020 website. By the way, the virtual visitation has already reached 31.6 million by the end of December.

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30.09.2023

Top cultural sites of Bosnia & Herzegovina: monuments, theaters and churches

Church of St. Anthony of Padua, Sarajevo

Location on the map: Church of St. Anthony of Padua on map

Interesting facts: » There was an old dilapidated building (1882) at the site of the modern Church of St. Anthony of Padua. Its foundation was made of stone. The house was built of wood. Over time, the House of God was dilapidated and could be a danger to worshipers’ life.
» The funds for the new construction had been collected for 8 years. In March 1912, the first brick was solemnly laid in the foundation. The construction lasted 7 months.
» The choir was founded in 1925. Chants are accompanied by organ music.
» The building was restored in the 60s. Famous architects have painted the church for 20 years.
» The vault is 15 m high.
» The 50-meter tower with a belfry was added to the main building. There are 5 bells on it. One of them weighs 4 tons.
» The interior is very luxurious. You can see artistic canvasses, sculptures, mosaic walls, and frescoes made by Croat masters. The collection of paintings consists of 100 masterpieces of different epochs.
» The cathedral is also famous for its history and cultural heritage. It was a place where faithful citizens loved spending their time.
» The House of God has been opening its doors to followers of all religions for a century.

Church of the Holy Transfiguration, Sarajevo

Location on the map: Church of the Holy Transfiguration on map

Interesting facts: » The only Orthodox cathedral is the Church of the Holy Transfiguration. It is a religious monument. It was founded in 1940. The building was blessed by Patriarch Gabriel V.
» There are a lot of arched doorways on the ground floor. At the second level, there are many oval windows. They decorate the entire domed tower. There is a cross on the central doors.
» The Serbian temple was repeatedly looted by violators. Vandals broke windows and stole citizens’ donations. Over 20 incidents have taken place here for 8 years.
» The church is named after the event taking place on Mount Favor. Christ disclosed the miracle of his greatness and glory here. That is why clergymen wear white clothes during celebrations.
» Up to 50 thousand followers of orthodoxy from the entire region come to this sacred place.
» In times of interethnic issues, the church was damaged. It started to be reconstructed after the war. Frescoes needed to be additionally restored. The reconstruction started in 2004.
» The Church of the Holy Transfiguration was designed by a famous architect. He based on the Serbian and Byzantium architectural style.

Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sarajevo

Location on the map: Sacred Heart Cathedral on map

Interesting facts: » The building is depicted on the city flag and the state seal of Sarajevo.
» It was constructed and blessed in 1889. The House of God was consecrated and named after the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
» The Feast of Corpus Christi was first celebrated exactly at that time. The Sacred Heart symbolizes God’s love for all humankind.
» In 1997, the Pope came from the Vatican City and examined the cathedral.
» In the temple, the archdiocese of clergymen was established.
» The architectural monument is an attraction in the settlement.
» The carved altar is made of light Italian marble.
» There are statues of apostles. The main statue is Christ pointing at his Sacred Heart.
» The Slovene people presented the belfry 5 bells.
» There are two rectangular chapels at the sides of the cathedral. They are crowned by triangular spires with crosses. The constructions are 43 m high.
» There is a baptistery in one of the towers. The second tower leads to the belfry.
» The interior attracts with big stained glass windows made by special order in Australian Innsbruck. Windows depict the scenes of Scripture.

Saint Joseph Church, Sarajevo

Location on the map: Saint Joseph Church on map

Interesting facts:

» The Catholic Church is named after St. Joseph. It was built in 1936. Today, it is considered as a historic national attraction of the city. It opened its doors in 1940.
» When the construction was completed, Pope Pius XII gifted the marble altar “The Heart of Jesus”.
» The white stone church stands out from other urban constructions and contrasts with them.
» The archbishop found drawings of a small church in the repository in the Vatican City. It was built in the neighborhood of Rome. The famous architect built the House of God according to this plan. The city hall even allocated a plot for this. Contemporary and traditional technologies were used during the construction.
» Main supporting elements, such as columns, a vault, and a dome, are made of steel and concrete reinforcement. Wall panels are made of light blocks. They are 0.6 m thick.
» When the warehouse was blown up in 1945, stained glass windows were damaged. Consequently, they were restored by sketches.
» Many interior elements - doors, furniture, utensils, and benches - are made of wood.

Culture and monuments in popular cities of Bosnia & Herzegovina

Sarajevo

The church was built in 1478 and had had a miraculous escape during the years of war. Not far from that religious site tourists will find another remarkable religious landmark of the city being the Church of the Holy Mother of God which construction took place in the second part of the 19th century. The eastern part of the city is rich in religious landmarks and sites with the most remarkable among them being the Cathedral of the 18th century and the Old Synagogue. The Synagogue has recently … Read more

Banja Luka

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 … Read more