HWR
Historic Places
St. Peter and Paul Church
In 1866, the Ottomans played a significant role in the construction of the Catholic church and Franciscan Monastery in Mostar. The Complex takes great pride in its expansive library, housing over 50,000 ancient volumes from both Western and Eastern authors, making it the largest library in Herzegovina. Additionally, the building showcases an important art collection featuring works by Italian Masters from the 16th and 17th centuries. This historical site stands as a testament to the rich cultural exchange and legacy of diverse civilizations coming together in harmony.
Stećak tombstones – Boljuni i Radimlja
The Necropolis of Stećak Boljuni is located in Boljuni, 12 kilometers southwest of Stolac. 269 stećaks have been preserved in the necropolis, in two groups. According to the forms, the most are chests – 176, then slabs – 76, then gables – 12 and 3 crosses. Out of the total number, 92 stećaks (34%) are decorated. And while the Radimlja necropolis stands out for its wealth, variety and high quality of relief motifs, the Boljuni necropolis stands out for its large number of inscriptions – 19 (7%), which is the first in terms of the number of inscriptions place in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The most common ornament on Boljuna stećci is a cross, followed by a bent vine with a trefoil (the motif is characteristic of the whole of Herzegovina, and it appears quite often here), a shield with a sword, as well as rosettes, then various borders, a crescent moon, scenes of hunting, tournaments, carts etc
Stjepan Grad – Blagaj Fort
Stjepan grad, was built on a late antique fortress above Blagaj, which was one of the most important cities in Herzegovina. This was actually a palace, surrounded by hard ramparts with jagged peaks that are still visible today. Stjepan Vukušić Kosača dined in it, which is why it got the name Stjepan grad. This city was the backbone of the political and military turbulence of Herceg’s land until 1473, when it was conquered by the Turkish army and became the seat and residence of the Qadi.
Strač
Architecturally, Strač is one of the most interesting old fortifications, as well one of the biggest in the whole Balkan. It located south east of Trebinje with the elevation of 750m. It has a beautiful view of Zupci, Petrovo polje, Trebinje and Trebinje forest. During the Austro-Hungarian period, Trebinje was one of the most protected cities. Each hill above the city had a fortification from which a potential attack could be seen so the people could be alarmed and respond to it. Unlike others, Strač was buried under ground for the major part, and because of this it is considered the most mysterious object of that time.The symbol of power of this fort is represented in its iron cannon domes on the top, which still resist the imminence of time, but human negligence as well, which caused significant damage to the object. It is interesting that Austrian experts have converted the then currency crown to today’s Euro, and calculated that the construction of this fortification cost the astonishing 60 million Euros.
Tara and Halebija Towers
The Old Bridge, elegantly spanning the Neretva River, is flanked by two majestic towers that serve as architectural support and watchful guardians. On the east bank stands the semi-circular Tara Tower, once an Ottoman ammunition depot and now housing the Museum of the Old Bridge. Opposite on the west side, the Halebija tower served as a prison on its lower floors and as small barracks and a lookout post on its upper floors. Just beyond the Tara Tower, nestled on the left bank of the river, lies the Herceguša Tower, a remarkable structure built in the early 15th century during the reign of Herceg Stjepan Vukčić Kosača.
The towers can be visited from Tuesday – Sunday, from 10 am until 6pm
The Hamam Museum
The “Hamam Museum” in Mostar is an authentic cultural monument, which takes visitors back to a distant past to witnes the most beautiful stories of the former way of living. The Hamam was built in the late 16th century, and represents the only preserved hamam in Mostar. It was built in the classical Ottoman style, with a modest exterior, built next to the town square, where a mosque and a public kitchen are in the close proximity to the hamam. The Hamam was visited by women and men regardless of their religious affiliation, during the visit of the “Hamam Museum” visitor experiences the true historical picture.
Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Antique Villa Mogorjelo
Mogorjelo is one of the most important monuments of the Roman era in Bosnia and Herzegovina and belongs to the most beautiful buildings of late antique architecture. Mogorjelo supplied the Roman city of Narona and probably served in the defense of the city and its surrounding, a dense grove of coastal trees (cypress) gives this monument a particularly beautiful frame. The building was excavated between 1889 and 1903, and in the following years it was conserved, being declared as a national monument in 2002.
Apparition Hill and the Blue Cross
Apparition Hill and the Blue Cross in Medjugorje hold profound spiritual significance for millions of pilgrims worldwide. Medjugorje is a renowned pilgrimage site where, since June 1981, six young visionaries have reported regular apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Apparition Hill, or Podbrdo, is the site where the first apparition allegedly occurred, drawing countless devotees seeking solace, healing, and spiritual renewal. On the other hand, the Blue Cross, situated at the base of Apparition Hill, has become a place of intense prayer and reflection, where visitors meditate on the sufferings of Christ and present their intentions to the Virgin Mary. Both sites have become symbols of hope and faith, attracting people from various backgrounds to seek divine encounters and experience the transformative power of Medjugorje’s spiritual atmosphere.
Antique Villa Mogorjelo
Mogorjelo is one of the most important monuments of the Roman era in Bosnia and Herzegovina and belongs to the most beautiful buildings of late antique architecture. Mogorjelo supplied the Roman city of Narona and probably served in the defense of the city and its surrounding, a dense grove of coastal trees (cypress) gives this monument a particularly beautiful frame. The building was excavated between 1889 and 1903, and in the following years it was conserved, being declared as a national monument in 2002.
Apparition Hill and the Blue Cross
Apparition Hill and the Blue Cross in Medjugorje hold profound spiritual significance for millions of pilgrims worldwide. Medjugorje is a renowned pilgrimage site where, since June 1981, six young visionaries have reported regular apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Apparition Hill, or Podbrdo, is the site where the first apparition allegedly occurred, drawing countless devotees seeking solace, healing, and spiritual renewal. On the other hand, the Blue Cross, situated at the base of Apparition Hill, has become a place of intense prayer and reflection, where visitors meditate on the sufferings of Christ and present their intentions to the Virgin Mary. Both sites have become symbols of hope and faith, attracting people from various backgrounds to seek divine encounters and experience the transformative power of Medjugorje’s spiritual atmosphere.
Archaeological site Gabela
Gabela is a national cultural monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Due to its strategic location, Gabela was also inhabited in Roman times, from which we have the remains of a brick factory and farm buildings on the outskirts of the town. Of the large number of medieval buildings, the remains of the old fort and a stone plaque with a large winged lion, the symbol of the Republic of Venice, are the most impressive to this day. Gabela was from the 15th to the 18th century a large trading center, but also an important strategic fortress on the Venetian-Turkish border. At one time it was known as the slave square. Various political and economic interests were competing for supremacy over Gabel. The Turks occupied it in 1477, and after several failed attempts in 1694, the Venetians occupied Gabela, then with the Peace of Požarevac in 1718, Gabela belonged to the Turks, and the Venetians demolished all the important buildings. Gabela is again under Turkish administration, but without its former power. During the Austro-Hungarian rule and the construction of the narrow-gauge railway, Gabela was a junction from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik and Metković. The Mexican scientist Roberto Salinas Price developed a hypothesis based on geographical information in the Iliad that the Trojan War was in the valley of the Neretva River, that is, that Gabela was Ilios, the capital of the state of Troy.