ON THE BANKS OF THREE RIVERS, BENEATH FOUR MOUNTAINS

Nestled in the heart of our country is Fojnica, a town known for its thermal springs. Above it, like silent guards, stand four mountains Vranica, Zec, Zahor, and Pogorelica, while it’s refreshed by the waters of three rivers: Fojnica, Željeznica, and Dragača.

The municipality of Fojnica is dotted with numerous cultural and historical landmarks. At every corner, you’ll find traces of the past — from mysterious stećci necropolises to well-preserved medieval fortifications like Kaštel, Kozograd, and Zvonigrad, to mosques, tekkes, and monasteries.

Belmin Mešanović

Nevertheless, the most well-known tale about Fojnica, often regarded as the town of gold and golden waters, revolves around its healing thermal springs, whose radioactivity and therapeutic properties were discovered in the late 19th century.

The Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Fojnica has a legacy of more than 650 years. Over the course of history, it’s been destroyed multiple times, ravaged by fires, and continually rebuilt. Today, it stands as a source of pride for the Franciscans and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The monastery houses a museum with valuable exhibits. The museum library boasts over 50,000 books, including 11,000 ancient titles (from the era of incunable, the first printed books, to 1850). Perhaps the most precious part of the museum is the Bosnian-Franciscan heritage. It includes the legacies of bishops, church vessels, and attire, Muhammad’s decree, the Fojnica Armorial, handwritten dictionaries, and church bells from the Ottoman period.

The most intriguing document is undoubtedly the Ahdname, a decree presented to Fra Anđelo Zvizdović by Sultan Mehmed II el-Fatih upon the Ottoman conquest of Bosnia. Through this decree, the Sultan extended his protection to the Bosnian Franciscans and the Catholic Christian community, ensuring freedom of religion, movement, and property ownership. As a sign of honor, Fra Anđelo was draped in a cloak made from the finest Turkish silk.

KOZICE WATERFALLS

Fojnica has a wealth of natural gems, and just ten kilometers from the town, you’ll find a shining example in Kozice waterfalls. Tucked away in a dense forest, a series of smaller and larger waterfalls, ranging from five to 20 meters in height, create a breathtaking scene as they cascade down the rocks. The forest trail is relatively short, at just under a kilometer, but it calls for comfortable and sturdy footwear. The beauty of these five waterfalls, that await you at your destination, is worth every step.

Zorana Kerleta

Fojnica locals say that Kozice reside within the heart of Vranica.

PROKOŠKO LAKE

Vranica is the tallest and most gorgeous mountain in central Bosnia. It’s home to several peaks that rise above 2,000 meters in elevation. These include Ločika, Krstac, Bijela Gromilica, Devetaci, Kota 2028, Rosinj, Treskavica, and the highest among them, Nadkrstac (2,112 meters). The most beautiful of these peaks is Ločika. Its spacious summit offers a magnificent view of central Bosnia. From Ločika, you can also spot numerous mountains in the wider region, such as Prenj, Čvrsnica, Raduša, and Vlašić.

The most recognizable spot for tourists on Vranica is Prokoško Lake. This naturally formed glacial lake, situated at an altitude of 1,600 meters, is a true little paradise for visitors. The village, with its wooden and log huts and charming wooden shingle roofs, creates a unique sight. A small wooden mosque, perched at the highest altitude in Europe, can also be found here. There’s no need to carry food on this outing; hospitable locals gladly prepare it for visitors.

Stock Foto

This lake is the starting point for many hiking trails, and for an easier stroll, you can choose the path around the lake. The lush scenery with grazing cows and sheep, accompanied by the melodic jingling of their bells, is a sight not readily encountered. To preserve this unique natural gem of our country, please dispose of litter carefully and refrain from quad and dirt bike tours that might harm the local ecosystem.

The Brusnica Ski Center is situated on Vranica. With five kilometers of well-maintained ski slopes for both recreational and professional skiers, it ranks among the highest in our country in terms of altitude.

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