High in the mountains of Bosnia, medieval tombstones carved with crosses and strange motifs still stand in silence. For centuries they have been linked to a church unlike any other in Europe, remembered simply as the Bosnian Church. To outsiders it was a heresy. To Bosnians it was a faith of their own, rooted in the land and in the rhythms of everyday life. The clergy of this church lived humbly among the people, far removed from the grandeur of Rome or Constantinople. They mediated disputes, read scripture, and observed the sacraments, yet they refused subordination to distant hierarchies. This independence was enough to earn them suspicion, crusades, and condemnation. What survives suggests not a rebellion against Christianity, but a local tradition that was both recognizably Christian and distinctly Bosnian.
Tag: Bosnian history
The Role of Stećci in Bosnia’s Environmental Landscape
Stećci, the monumental medieval tombstones scattered across Bosnia and Herzegovina, are more than just relics of the past. These enigmatic stone markers, dating between the 12th and 16th centuries, not only serve as historical and cultural artifacts but also offer valuable insights into the relationship between human civilization and the natural environment. The placement, materials, … Continue reading The Role of Stećci in Bosnia’s Environmental Landscape
The serenity of the Blagaj Tekija: Bosnia’s oldest Dervish monastery
The Blagaj Tekke or tekija, in Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the oldest Sufi dervish monasteries in the region. The building is located in the Medieval town of Blagaj, and sits at the mouth of the Buna river.
Baščaršija – Sarajevo’s beating heart
The bascarsija is Sarajevo's historic and cultural center as well as a fully functioning market that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
A Crash (Dummy) Course in Bosnian History
A short and entertaining (sometimes comedic) description of the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

