Culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina

After an hour and a half drive through Bjelašnica’s hinterlands we arrive in Lukomir, Bosnia’s highest and most isolated mountain village at 1,469 meters. The medieval traditional lifestyles of the Dinaric highlanders are still practiced here, providing a unique window into old Europe´s ancient past. Traditional dress, the occasional turban and fez are still worn and go hand in hand with the more contemporary bliss’ of everyday life, electricity and running water. On the edge of the village you will be treated with a rare view of Rakitnica Canyon which drops 800m below and of neighbouring Obalj and Visočica Mountains. We will introduce you to the villagers and their fascinating lifestyles. It is a truly unique oportunity to find out firsthand from the villagers how they live in this beautiful but difficult environment. After a short walk through the village, we hike to the 40 meter Peruće Waterfall where we cool ourselves off before returning to Gornji (upper) Lukomir for a traditional homemade lunch prepared by our hosts. At the end off the day you will also be presented with an opportunity to see and/or purchase local handicraft. 

We also organize overnight stays and a 7 hour circular hike around Lukomir for those of you interested in experiencing village life, seeing several villages and the Rakitnica canyon. Contact us for more information.

FACTFILE
Date: Every Tuesday and Friday and by request
Category: Green Walk (medium difficulty)
Total Walking Hours: 3
Price: 40 EUR (5 group minimum)
Departure Time: 09:00 AM
Departure Place: We will pick you up anywhere in Sarajevo
Estimated Time of Return: 18:00 PM
What to Bring: Hiking boots are recommended/ sturdy walking shoes, day pack, 1 litre of water, rain gear, sun hat and camera.
What is Included: Transport from Sarajevo to location and back, coffee or tea, lunch and snacks, one English speaking, fully- equipped and experienced guide.
Please contact us if you need any equipment.

After a little more than an hour’s ride from Sarajevo we’ll pass through the colorful outskirts of the ancient village of Kraljeva Sutjeska. Rich in natural wonders, such as the deep riverbed of Bukovica, Bobovac has long been a natural oasis which still retains its untainted and pure mysticism. We’ll begin our trek from the ancient village of Kraljeva Sutjeska…home of the centuries old Franciscan Monastery, Sveti Ivo (Saint John’s). We’ll follow the picturesque valley of Bukovica Stream, where the ancient beechwood forest will cool our walk with its soothing shade. Deeper into the valley we’ll gently ascend on a well maintained trail to the steep ridge to reach the ruins of the 14th century citadel “Bobovac”, one of the last residence of the Bosnian kings Tvrtko II and Tomas. We’ll pay a visit to the remains of the ancient fortress situated on a steep limestone rock. This would be our lunch spot…high in the hills and well protected. We’ll return from the way we came and veering off in the village we’ll take a short walk to the Franciscan Monastery that served this area in the middle ages, well before the Ottoman’s conquered this region. It’s a cultural heritage site of Bosnia and Herzegovina and we’ve put in a special request to open the doors for you on this afternoon. So don’t miss this one.

Date: Every Wednesday and by request
Category: Green Walk (medium difficulty)
Total Walking Hours: 3.5
Price: 40 EUR (5 group minimum)
Departure Time: 09:00 AM Departure
Place: We will pick you up anywhere in Sarajevo
Estimated Time of Return: 18:00 PM
What to Bring: Hiking boots are recommended/ sturdy walking shoes, day pack, 1 litre of water, rain gear, sun hat and camera.
What is Included: Transport from Sarajevo to location and back, coffee or tea, lunch and snacks, one English speaking, fully- equipped and experienced guide. Please contact us if you need any equipment.

Sarajevo is a city that seems to never fail to capture the imagination. It has resiliently recovered from the horrors of the early 1990’s, which goes down in history as the longest siege in modern European history. You’ll quickly see that the Sarajevo of today has shed the ghosts of its recent past. Whether it fascinates with its rich history of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences, intrigues the curious mind of the spot where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated that started WWI, awes you with its towering green surrounding mountains, or charms you with its teeming café culture and friendly hospitality….Sarajevo is a place like home. Let us take you there.
Our team of multi-lingual guides offer the tales and history of this fascinating city. So if you're interested in expanding your knowledge of Sarajevo...and taking a great walk through Sarajevo's colorful past – you’ve come to the right place. We speak English - French - Swedish - German - Dutch - Russian - Greek - Italian - Spanish and perhaps a few more!
Our unique 2.5 hour walking tour of the old historical town, its tiny side streets and the cultural hub in the city center will help you to piece together its complex and fascinating history.

Sites to see:
1. Ancient old town - Sarajevo's medieval beginnings
2. Olde Towne Hall (National Library) - 1896
3. Brusa Bezistan (Trading Center) – Sarajevo City Museum
4. Kazandziluk Street - old coppersmiths at work
5. Bascarsija (Olde Towne's Main Square)
6. Orthodox Church - 1539
7. Synagogue - 1581
8. Roman Catholic Cathedral - 1889
9. Svrzina House (Turkish Style house of well-known Muslim family)
10. The story of Gazi Husref Bey - the founding of a city
11. Latin Bridge - place of King Ferdinand's assassination - June 28, 1914

Period: Every day and by request
Total Site Seeing Hours: 2
Price: 25 EUR (2- 3 participants), 20 EUR (4 – 9 participants)
Departure Place: Inat House/Inat Kuca across from the National Library
What to Bring: City clothes, camera
What is Included: Experienced and knowledgeable city guide, entrance to all places in the program (where possible).

Mostar was founded in the 15th century and will stun you with its beauty. The architecture is a precious combination of Turkish ingenuity plus Herzegovina’s and Dalmatian workmanship. We will spend the late morning and afternoon exploring Mostar. Undoubtedly, you will have heard much about this city, which was split during the conflict in the early 1990s. You will still see the scars of war, but these days Mostar is once again a warm and bustling place with a fascinating history.

Sites to see include:
1. Ancient oriental old town
2. Remnants of the Old Bridge (being reconstructed) – 1566
3. Koski Mehmed Pasa Mosque – 1618-1619
4. Kriva Cuprija (Oblique Bridge) – 1558
5. Kujundziluk Street - old coppersmiths street
6. Karadzozbegova Mosque – 1577
7. Cardak (Watch tower)
8. Biscevica House (Traditional Turkish house with courtyard)
9. Medresa (Muslim religious secondary school)

After lunch we take a short 15 minute drive to the nearby village of Blagaj. Blagaj’s highlights are the Buna Spring and the adjacent Ottoman house/monastery. The spring here is amazing. It flows out of a 200m cliff wall and single-handedly creates the Buna River. Unsurprisingly, the Ottoman sultan was impressed, and ordered a Tekija to be built right next to it. This 16th century house/monastery was built for the Dervish cults and is still one of the most mystical places in all of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Blagaj's Old Town is worth taking a walk through. This lazy Herzegovinan town moves at a slow pace and many of its old structures are reminiscent of Ottoman days. A newly built heritage trail around the town is a rather pleasant 30-45 minute walk around the town starting at the Tekija Dervish House and visiting the Velagic house built in 17th century, a beautiful example of Ottoman stone masonry. In the vicinity are also old watermills that the strong Buna River used to power.

Period: Every day and by request
Total Site Seeing Hours: 4
Price: 60 EUR (5 group minimum), please contact us for smaller groups
Departure Place: We will pick you up anywhere in Sarajevo
Departure Time: 08:00 AM
Estimated Time of Return: 20:00 PM
What to Bring: City clothes, and camera
What is Included: Experienced and knowledgeable city guide, transport, entrance to all places in the program (where possible), and lunch overlooking the Stari Most (Old Bridge).

Option: All ready in Mostar? Why not have Sulejman our guide meet you there? In everyday life Sulejman works as an architect and has been directly involved in the restoration of the Old Town, including the Old Bridge.  His insightful 2 hour city tour of the old town starts from 25 EUR per person (2 group minimum).