Hello everyone.
Traveling to new places is always interesting and exciting. There is always something new to see and learn. Also visiting places that you already visited and discovering more to it is almost same.
This past weekend with a group of a friends we decided to make a trip visiting several cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our final destination would be Trebinje, city in east Herzegovina. It was my first time visiting Trebinje. Such a beautiful city. Arslanagića most or Arslanagića bridge in the city is must see.
Starting our trip from Sarajevo we passed through several city. First we stopped in Konjic, and then continued to Jablanica before reaching Mostar. Mostar as beautiful as always. Then we continued with Blagaj, Stolac and last city to visit was Trebinje.
I Think all these cities are part of the experience so I will shortly share about each city. Also if you travel it is good route to follow as well.
Lets start with our trip and first city, Konjic.
We had a short break in Konjic and something to eat. Konjic is city in the middle part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. River Neretva passes through the city. And if you have seen river Neretva you know how unique it is.
We walked around the city and visited Stara Ćuprija or Old bridge.
Here you can see the sight of the bridge.
Stara Ćuprija or Kameni Most is one of the most beatuful stone bridges in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was built in 1682 by Ottomans.
Bridge is 102 meters in length. Stara Ćuprija bridge is listed as National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bridge has 6 arches. The river passing under the bridge is river Neretva.
View of the city from the bridge.
This is the sight you will see a lot in these parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. These big stone roof tiles on the houses.
After this we went to see Stećci, monumental tombstones dating from 12th and 13th century. There are many necropolises with tombstones in Bosnia and city Konjic has 4160 Stećak and 150 necropolises.
Here we visited one location in the city.
You can see drawing and writings on them. I visited Konjic before but it is my first time being at this place.
They can vary in size and shapes. On the way we visited one one of the most famous tombstone necropolis in Bosnia.
Some views from the nearby hill.
River Neretva is very beautiful.
We continued our journey. Next stop was Jablanica. But before that we stopped near by this lovely restauran. It is called Pećina or Cave.
Near the restaurant is small waterfall and cave.
Nice place to rest before continuing.
We arrived in Jablanica. Here we visited memorial bridge that is part of battle from world war two called Battle on the Neretva or Battle for the wounded.
This memorial complex has museum as well.
Before you could not reach the bridge but now you can walk near the bridge.
This is not the real bridge. It is replica from the movie that was made about the Battle on the Neretva.
Scenery while traveling is lovely as well.
And we reached the Mostar city.
Streets of Mostar as we get closer to the Stari Most or Old Bridge.
First look at the Stari Most. When you think of Mostar Stari Most comes to your mind right away.
Bridge is always crowded. I think early in the morning is best time to visit.
View from the bridge. Such beauty.
Stari Most or Old bridge is built between 1557 and 1566 during Ottoman period.
It was built by Mimar Hayrudin which was student at the time of the famous Mimar Sinan.
Bridge is 4 meter wide and 30 meters long. Its height reaches 24 meters.
Old Bridge Mostar is such gem and it is on Unesco world heritage list since 2004.
During summer people dive from the Stari Most. There are traditional dives from the bridge and this year was held 458. Traditional dives from the Stari Most.
On summer there are divers on the bridge which dive after they collect certain amount of money. Rive Neretva is quite cold so dives takes courage.
While driving we were listening some reportage about city Mostar. Here they mentioned that until now 4200 tourist dived from the bridge and interesting part is that around 80% of them were from Australia.
Of course important part for city Mostar is river Neretva. River Neretva is unique with its color. River Neretva is one of the coldest rivers in the world as its temperature does not pass 7 degrees Celsius. It may be world coldest river.
Gem of city Mostar.
This is one smaller stone bridge near Stari Most. It is my first time coming here if I remember correctly. It is called Kriva Ćuprija or Crooked Brdige.
Kriva Ćuprija is oldest stone bridge in city Mostar. It was built in 1558 during Ottomans. It is part of Old Bridge and Old Town zone and it is on Unsesco world heritage list as well.
Time for a break and Bosnian coffee.
Streets of Mostar and dućani (shops) along the street.
After Mostar we continued toward city Blagaj.
And here we first stoped by Bunski kanal or Buna Canals.
It was my first time here as well and it is beautiful.
This is the place where river Buna which comes from Blagaj joins with river Neretva.
Here river Buna on the right joins river Neretva. River Neretva flows so fast and along the canal river Buna joins.
You can see small waterfalls as river Buna falls into river Neretva.
It was my first time here and I was so surprised to see this. It is so magical scenery.
You should stop by here when going to Blagaj. Beautiful.
We arrived at Blagaj a bit late. I will add some photos from my previous visit.
Blagaj is famous by its river Buna that has spring here under the mountain. Also there is tekke or tekija which is built around 1520s.
At night it nice here.
Some photos from previous visit.
This is the tekke.
This is river Buna. It spring is in that cave.
You can enter by boat to the cave.
River Buna is lovely.
Next was city Stolac. I will do another post for Stolac city.
We had super time here.
Photo from Stolac.
We finally reached to Trebinje.
It is city in southern most city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. River Trebišnjica passes through the city. Very beautiful city with Old town, bridges and lovely river bank.
We did arrive a bit late bit we used this time and daylight to explore the city.
What better way to start then with a Mileage sign.
When I look now I see Rome is quite close. Of course there is a Adriatic sea. between here and Rome.
Old town is very beautiful.
This Olive tree is 300 years old.
River bank with its reflections is lovely.
View from the bridge. Trebinje looks beautiful.
When you have river passing through your city you will have bridges as well.
This bridge is called Kameni most or Stone bridge. It is built around seventy years ago.
River Trebišnjica passes through the city. It is sinking river. It means some parts of it is above the ground and for some parts it flows under ground. With its 96.7 kilometers length above the ground and around 90 kilometers flow underground it is among one of the longest sinking river in the world.
And first sighting of the Arslanagića most or Arslanagić Bridge.
Arslanagića most is so big. As you get closer it just gets bigger.
Arslanagića most was open in 1574. Original location of the bridge was 5 kilometers upstream but due to hydro central construction it was sunken in 1965. Next year the water level was decreased in order for the bridge to be disassembled stone by stone.
After that from 1970 to 1972 the bridge was again assembled on this place almost near the center of the city (around 10 kilometers upstream).
Bridge is 92.5 meters long.
Arslanagića most has seven arches. Two big arch and five smaller ones.
Highest part is 15 meters above the water.
Its width varies from 3.60 meters to 4 meter.
View to the city from the bridge is lovely. Mountains from the sides and river in the middle is such nice scenery.
There were more places to visit but we did not manage to visit them all since it was getting late. My first time in Trebinje was lovely. Maybe next time there will be more time to explore all Trebinje city. Worth noting is that Trebinje is very close to Dubrovnik. Distance is around 33 kilometers.
If you plan vacation in Dubrovnik or if you are around Mostar you should include Trebinje in your trip plans.
