THE CENTURIES-OLD GATE OF BOSNIA

If you wish to momentarily travel back to the era of medieval knights and kings, be sure to visit the old town of Vranduk. Once you climb up to the fortress, you’ll understand why it’s the only town that Austrian military leader Eugene of Savoy bypassed during his conquest of Bosnia. It is presumed to have been built in the 14th century, and it is known with certainty that it was a royal town where Bosnian kings received delegations, signed agreements, and issued charters. It remained unconquered until the arrival of the Ottomans, when the Vranduk Mosque, or Sultan Fatih Mosque, was built beneath the fortress, welcoming visitors to this day.

Emira Azganović

The fortress is preserved nearly intact and is open to visitors. Numerous archaeological findings from the medieval and Ottoman periods have been discovered inside, and are now safeguarded in the Zenica City Museum. The entirety of the fortress’s contents has been digitalized.

If you visit the fortress with friends, you can try your luck at medieval games such as tug-of-war, sack race, or archery! Throughout the year, several events take place at the fortress, including the most popular Večeri Rock’n’Rolla (Rock’n’Roll Evenings) and Festival Tragovima bosanskog kraljevstva (Traces of the Bosnian Kingdom). During the festival, visitors can enjoy concerts of medieval music, exhibitions, performances with knights, and sample medieval cuisine. The whole atmosphere exudes Bosnia.

If you get hungry, in the village you can still savor potkriž, a dish made with a recipe from the Middle Ages, prepared in a tray with layers of homemade dough and meat.

Find this QR code on the location: