Tag: history

Trebinje: A Glimpse into Bosnia’s Rich Historical Tapestry

by ahasic, posted in history

Trebinje, a picturesque city nestled in the southeastern corner of Bosnia and Herzegovina, boasts a rich and diverse history that has shaped its unique cultural heritage. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Trebišnjica River and surrounded by lush green hills, Trebinje has been an important crossroads for numerous civilizations throughout the ages. In this article, we will explore the glorious Bosnian history and past of this timeless city.

Founded by the Illyrians in the 3rd century BC, Trebinje has been continuously inhabited for over two millennia. The city’s strategic location, lying between the Adriatic Sea and the Dinaric Alps, made it a highly sought-after prize for various empires, including the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans.

Continue reading “Trebinje: A Glimpse into Bosnia’s Rich Historical Tapestry” →

Mostar’s Stari Most (Old Bridge)

by ahasic, posted in history

There has been so much written on Mostar’s Old Bridge (Stari Most). It has inspired stories, poems, and countless travel literature over its four-and-a-half centuries of existence. Its architecture and sheer shape beckon the imagination to recall the genius work of Ottoman architects and designers. The symbolism of the unification between the two sides of the Neretva River, East and West, is very much a quintessential part of the Bosnian imagination. Continue reading “Mostar’s Stari Most (Old Bridge)” →

The serenity of the Blagaj Tekija:  Bosnia’s oldest Dervish monastery

by ahasic, posted in history

When someone uses the term serene – a certain image or place comes to mind.  In many ways, the Blagaj Tekija or Tekke is a quintessential place of reflection and in the past, prayer and isolation.

Continue reading “The serenity of the Blagaj Tekija:  Bosnia’s oldest Dervish monastery” →

Baščaršija – Sarajevo’s beating heart

by ahasic, posted in culture, history, Sarajevo

If Sarajevo is indeed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s heart, the baščaršija (pronounced baash-char-shiya) is its shining historic, and cultural heart within a heart. Centrally located within the old city, the baščaršija is a remnant of Bosnia’s Ottoman past, but has been reclaimed as a point of national pride and living history within the country. This central market may be hundreds of years old, but its busy activity has not ceased since its construction in 1462.

Continue reading “Baščaršija – Sarajevo’s beating heart” →

Why Our Yearly Trip to Bosnia Is so Important

by ahasic, posted in culture, history

Like a flock of migratory birds, Bosnians all over the world look forward to summertime with great yearning. It means the smell of cevapi and lamb over coals, the sight of family and friends that were only available over phone and computer monitors for most of the year, and the sounds of the mosque’s call to prayer mingled with church bells. It means the sight of ancient stone bridges, rolling green landscapes, and roaring waterfalls breaking the silence of the day. It means a return home. It means a return to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Continue reading “Why Our Yearly Trip to Bosnia Is so Important” →

A Crash (Dummy) Course in Bosnian History

by ahasic, posted in history

The academic in me writhed in pain even at the idea of writing something like this. An uncited, cliff-note style summary of hundreds of years of rich Bosnian history? To top it off, incredibly well written with a sharp sense of humor? (OK, maybe not). Don’t do it. Just don’t. It’s not worth it. It goes against everything you’ve been trained to do.

Continue reading “A Crash (Dummy) Course in Bosnian History” →