Thinking what to write about Bosnia, I first though about all the places I’ve visited. Thus I’ll start by writing about the top five places on my personal list and what I’ve seen there.
Mostar
This is where we used to stop with my parents, on the way from back from Dubrovnik to Gradačac. Traveling with my parents was not really an experience, since they’re not travellers. But it was a great opportunity to see the biggest and most important city of Herzegovina. It’s city on the banks of river Neretva, which we followed for the most of our journey with a car.
The city stunned me with its beauty and despite being a majority Croatian city, it does have the oriental Muslim feel to it. Naturally you have to go to the old centre, while there and see the Old Bridge, where I first saw people jumping from such height. It seemed fascinating, especially as before I only knew people jumping into swimming pools or of the pier into the sea. I’ve never even imagined this is such a popular sport there are even competitions in this discipline.
Međugorje
Many Slovenians visit this pilgrimage centre each year. Again, I first visited it with my parents. Next time I’ve visited it last year. Both times it was part of pilgrimage, but I can say that even those can be exciting. Most part of the pilgrimage was the bus ride.
But it was an interesting experience, for it was the first time I’ve spent in a commune and a monastery, where nuns take care of children without parents. This is how I got to know how such a community works. Both communities were interesting, especially as they are the origin of stories you rarely hear. When I’ve asked where and how children attend school the mother superior said – the school is for the older and they walk there for 4 kilometres. She also said that the school she attended as a child was further away and she had to walk also. Therefore she sees nothing strange in children walking so far to get to school and back.
I found the mansion of former millioners very romantic and beautiful. The owner sold what they had and decided to leave with only the grace of god. Now they maintain and care for the building themselves and occasionally some volunteers. They also rent it out for spiritual practice and to nuns and theologises. They’ve decided to do so, realizing that money never made them happy, with all they’ve been through in their lives.
I also like their courtyards, because they really make you say – I’d like to have one just like it back home! It’s a place to take a load off and think. The very name Međugorje means – from between mountains and thus I really liked the view of the mountains surrounding it. One of them is really very much alike the Nanos back home.
Gradačac and Lukavac
Each year when I go to Bosnia, I visit my relatives in these two cities (near them). Since 2011 I always go there along, with only a small sum, so I have to get by. Most of the money is spent for travel. Gradačac and Lukavac are not big cities, but they have rich culture and past. The most noticeable feature of Gradačac is the fortres Kula Husein-bega Gradaščevića, known as Gradina, and is the symbol of the town. It was built in 1821 and is used as a wedding hall now (because it has a wedding hall). I go there on foot many times, as it’s a great place to think and rest.
The town of Gradačac is a known fruit growing town, especially due to the plumb fair, which is traditionally organized each end og August. It’s interesting also, that there are many Slovenian exhibits at the fair.
Lukavac is a town close to Tuzla (according to me, just 7km away). Near it is the lake Modrac, where I used to swim in with my peers just 10 years ago. Now, you can’t any more due to industrial pollution. Water is nowhere near suitable. The town itself features the church of St. Anton of Padua. It’s a simple structure, but each time I go there for service it’s full of believers. Even though there are only a few Croatians there (Catholics) there’s a service there almost every day and each Sunday three times a day.
Tuzla
We rarely stopped in Tuzla with my parents, just for a lunch or something. The decision was made, to really go and explore the city once and visit the main sights, by walking in the old town. So a bit over a year ago I took my auntie as a guide. She’s a retired teacher and really does know the town and its history. I was most impressed with the Panonian lakes, as they are much smaller than I’ve imagined.
Panonian lakes, or »Panonika,« are artificial salty lakes, but their origin is said to be natural. This is where the Pannonia Sea should stretch to. The only remain of it is the Black Sea today. Part of the complex of the lakes is also the Neolithic settlement, sporting fields, salty waterfalls and other areas. The lakes are near the centre of Tuzla and are a unique example of salt lakes in Europe and have therapeutic properties due to the salt and other minerals in the water.
We also visited the memorial park to people who died in wars, which is near by, then went forth through the centre of the town. I was stunned by the story of the “Kapija” (the gate). It’s a memorial location, in remembrance of the massacre of May 25th 1995, when the crime against the youth of Tuzla took place. It was at 20:55 that a bomb has detonated at the youth centre by the name of Kapija, killing 71 people with average age of 24. Many more were injured.
There is also a museum of salt in the centre of Tuzla, but it was closed and I never plan to see all the attractions at one go, as I know I will return to these towns, so there must always be a place to visit left for me to see.
