About the most beautiful villages

Finding themselves at the crossroads of Western and Eastern civilization, villages and rural settlements in Bosnia and Herzegovina testify to the rich cultural heritage that represents the country and its people. The influences of the Greek, Roman, European medieval and Ottoman empires can be seen through many preserved monuments or remains. BiH is also rich with biodiversity and beautiful nature. This diverse cultural heritage is manifested through monuments or architectural gems and through an intangible tradition that lives on through craftsmanship, cuisine, music, dance and hospitality. The „Najljepša sela Bosne i Hercegovine“ is a label of excellence that is intended to be recognized internationally and the name of the label in English is “Most Beautiful Villages of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, and its abbreviation is MBV BiH.

In 2022. The Association for Rural Development Alterural based in Sarajevo was selected by the USAID project Devloping Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (TURIZAM) to launch and manage this initiative with a network of key partners across the country and ensure its sustainability. Alterural Association was founded in 2009 with headquarters in Sarajevo. It specializes in the development and promotion of rural tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This sector is indeed seen as a strong driver of the development of rural areas and the generation of complementary incomes for communities, especially for smaller and remote agricultural producers. The rural tourism sector aims to diversify the rural economy in rural areas, giving greater visibility to beautiful rural tourist destinations that will increase the development of the sector and its positive socio-economic impact on rural communities.The Most Beautiful Villages of BiH initiative currently includes a certain number of villages across the country, each with its own distinct character, history, and cultural significance. These villages are home to traditional architecture, including stone houses, wooden bridges, and ancient fortresses, as well as scenic landscapes of rolling hills, crystal-clear rivers, and lush forests. As for the Most Beautiful Villages of BiH, one of the objectives of the organization championing the label would be to join the Federation of The Most Beautiful Villages of the Earth, after having established the label and proven its seriousness and value in the local rural landscape.