We have been very busy lately. In the past few weeks, we visited the municipalities of Fojnica, Kreševo, Travnik, Kakanj and Trnovo, in order to sign MOUs with the mayors related to the Most Beautiful Villages in their areas.
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Vranci
Municipality of Kreševo
Discovering a hidden village of skilled blacksmiths and artisans, surrounded by a bounty of precious ores and minerals - an invitation to embark on a journey through time
Explore the unique charm of Vranci, a village with a rich history and intriguing traditions. Just thirty years ago, the locals took great pride in maintaining the pristine waters of their river, a testament to their strong sense of cleanliness and community spirit. Not far from the famous Roman Bridge, you'll find an intriguing structure known as "ta'te," which served as a belfry in the absence of church bells during the Ottoman Empire's rule. Discover the fascinating Kreševo tradition of "shoeing eggs" and the romantic story behind its origin. There are various legends about the origins of this custom. According to one story, a poor young guy fell in love with a girl from a wealthy family, and the condition for proposing to her was that he shoe an egg, which seemed impossible. The young man fell in love and learnt to shoe an egg, and according to mythology, no young man could marry until he learned to shoe an egg. For motocross enthusiasts, the nearby Gajice area boasts the region's best motocross trail, hosting thrilling events that contribute to both Bosnian and European Motocross Championships. Vranci, a village that seamlessly blends history, tradition, and adrenaline-pumping adventures.
Highlights
Accommodation
Cafe/Bar/ Restaurant
Traditional Crafts And Handcrafts
Events
Main Tourism Products
Other Treasures
Highlights
The Roman Bridge
The Roman Bridge
National monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ta'te (bosnian bell)
Ta'te (bosnian bell)
Used in the Ottoman rule in Bosnia, in all major monasteries and parishes as the substitutes for the bells that were forbidden.
Ta'te are actually two iron plates hanging, one is always longer and thinner, the other shorter and thicker.
These are alternately hitting two iron hammers, and "knock" gives a very harmonious sound, just like bells.
Ta'te in Vranci are, the only ones in BiH that are still used today
Traditional Houses
Traditional Houses
A national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accommodation
Total number of available accommodations in the village: 2
The rural household of Antonija Aždajić
Address: Vladimira Nazora 36, Kraljeva Sutjeska Sutjeska
Phone: +387 32 779 263; +387 61 447 102 Sutjeska
The rural household has 9 beds in 4 rooms that are rented only in the summer period. Sutjeska
In addition to accommodation, they also offer homemade food.
Phone: +387 32 779 263; +387 61 447 102 Sutjeska
The rural household has 9 beds in 4 rooms that are rented only in the summer period. Sutjeska
In addition to accommodation, they also offer homemade food.
Rural household of Kata Brđanović
Address: Stjepana Kovačevića 17, Kraljeva Sutjeska
Phone: +387 32 779 091 Sutjeska
The household has 7 beds (1 apartment and 1 room) and rents accommodation all year round.
Phone: +387 32 779 091 Sutjeska
The household has 7 beds (1 apartment and 1 room) and rents accommodation all year round.
At a distance of 15 minutes
Farm Malak
Address: Zajezda 5, Kakanj 72240
Phone: +387 61 901 900
E-mail: info@malakfarma.ba
Web: https://www.malakfarma.ba
Description: 15 minutes drive from Kraljeva Sutjeska, located in the village of Bištrani. In addition to offering local cuisine, it also offers the option of overnight accommodation in specially designed weekend facilities. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of sports for the youngest, as well as an adrenaline park. Walking through beautiful landscapes, watching children enjoying themselves in amusement parks, participating in the harvest of agricultural products and consuming food and drinks exclusively produced in the area as completely organic food.
Phone: +387 61 901 900
E-mail: info@malakfarma.ba
Web: https://www.malakfarma.ba
Description: 15 minutes drive from Kraljeva Sutjeska, located in the village of Bištrani. In addition to offering local cuisine, it also offers the option of overnight accommodation in specially designed weekend facilities. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of sports for the youngest, as well as an adrenaline park. Walking through beautiful landscapes, watching children enjoying themselves in amusement parks, participating in the harvest of agricultural products and consuming food and drinks exclusively produced in the area as completely organic food.
Cafe/Bar/
Restaurant
• UŽOK Kakanj
Women's Association (Kraljeva Sutjeska, contact person Božana Radić, phone: +387 62 782 258) Traditional home-made dishes for organized groups of guests. Only with prior agreement.
Caffe Bar Bonaca
(Address: 46C2+885, Kraljeva Sutjeska)
Lamb roast,
with prior arrangement and notice. Phone: +387 61 847 330
In the immediate vicinity of the village:
• Farm Malak (Address: Zajezda 5, Kakanj 72240; Phone: +387 61 901 900);
• Caffe Pink Haljinići (Address: R466 (452F+Q8 Marijina Voda);
• Caffe bar Deyton (Address: R466 (442X+GW Podbjelavići) ; Phone: +387 61 698 803);
• Caffe KP Bjelavići (Address: R466 442V +X7G, Phone: +387 32 552 401);
• Restaurant Vila (Address: Obre No. 10, Phone: +387 61 246 932);
• Stone Castle Restaurant (Address: Čatići bb, Phone: +387 32 775 144);
• Taverna Es restaurant (Address: 34X6+R27, Kakanj; Phone: +387 32 775 308);
• Fast food Sikira Termoelektrana Kakanj (Address: 34Q7+859, Kakanj)
• Caffe Pink Haljinići (Address: R466 (452F+Q8 Marijina Voda);
• Caffe bar Deyton (Address: R466 (442X+GW Podbjelavići) ; Phone: +387 61 698 803);
• Caffe KP Bjelavići (Address: R466 442V +X7G, Phone: +387 32 552 401);
• Restaurant Vila (Address: Obre No. 10, Phone: +387 61 246 932);
• Stone Castle Restaurant (Address: Čatići bb, Phone: +387 32 775 144);
• Taverna Es restaurant (Address: 34X6+R27, Kakanj; Phone: +387 32 775 308);
• Fast food Sikira Termoelektrana Kakanj (Address: 34Q7+859, Kakanj)
Traditional Crafts
And Handcrafts
- Handicrafts, woven and embroidered, juices, jams and pickled vegetables, Women's Association UŽOK Kakanj - Kraljeva Sutjeska, Fire station, available only in the summer season. (Contact information: Association representative Božana Radić, Phone number: +387 62 782 258).
- Needle lace embroidery
- Cross tattoos among older Catholic women
- Embroidery - old Sutjeska embroidery
- Weaving - with a loom
Events
Festival
Mevlud
Concerts
Kakanj days
Winter event Udahni Ponijere
Festival
Festival of traditional folk dances in Kraljeva sutjeska
Mevlud
Mevlud in the oldest mosque
Concerts
Concerts in the Franciscan monastery on the oldest organ in BiH
Kakanj days
Kakanj days
Winter event Udahni Ponijere
Winter event Udahni Ponijere
Main Tourism
Products
Museum of the Franciscan Monastery of Kraljeva Sutjeska
Parish Office: Phone: +387 32 771 700 Fax: +387 32 771 705 E-mail: samostan@kraljeva-sutjeska.com Kraljeva Sutjeska Monastery is a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is very rich in cultural, historical and artistic contents: numerous archival documents, precious old books, a collection of paintings, and metal and textile objects of artistic craft. Of special value is the museum of the Franciscan monastery, where numerous church objects, folk costumes, old and new books on theology, philosophy, history, geography, valuable paintings and other objects of museum value are kept.
Mosque of Sultan Mehmed II. Fatiha (known as the Soldier's Mosque)
Contact: MIZ Kakanj, manager Amel Spahić Phone: +387 61 602 351 or +387 32 557 701 The mosque in Kraljeva Sutjeska is part of the Mejlis of the Kakanj Islamic Community and is considered the oldest mosque, but also the oldest preserved building from the Ottoman period in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Nearby sightseeing places:
Other
Nearby sightseeing places:
The old medieval town of Bobovac
– Tombstone Necropolis in the village of Nažbilj
– Ponijeri mountain and Bočica mountain with a mountain lodge
– A walk through the Bukovica canyon to the old town of Bobovac
Other
- Walk along the path to Bobovac,
- Hiking tours on marked hiking trails accompanied by a mountain guide – Mountaineering Society “Bobovac”, contact Sabahudin Kubat, vice president of the society, telephone: +387 62 330 085;
- March 1 – traditional hike to Bobovac (hiking tour 1: Kakanj, – Kraljeva Sutjeska- Bobovac; hiking tour 2: Mountain lodge Bočica – Bobovac)
- Public institution “Cultural sports center” Kakanj, contact phone: +387 61 069 071;
- Malak farm Kakanj, adrenalin park and zip-line for children and adults, rock climbing, horse riding, paintball, contact phone: +387 61 404 407;
- Hunting Association Srndać Kakanj, contact phone: +387 32 554 526; +387 61 969 879
- Federation of Agricultural Associations “KAP” Kakanj, contact phone: +387 32 553 821
- Cycling,
- Fishing in Trstionica and Bukovica
- Juices, jams, honey, teas, milk and dairy products, dried meat products, handicrafts
- CA (Citizen Association) ”Sultanov Konak”, Phone: +387 61 196 412
Other Treasures
- The monastery archive has 453 books from the 16th century, 541 from the 17th, 1,687 from the 18th, and 1,050 books from the first half of the 19th century. The museum also keeps registry books from 1641 (the oldest in BiH), numerous manuscripts and chronicles. There are many written documents from the 15th to the 19th century (about 3,500 documents) important for the research of our domestic history. As an example, we cite the Donation of King Matijaš Corvinus from 1481, which refers to Bosnia and Dalmatia.
- According to folk tradition, the mosque in Kraljeva Sutjeska dates back to 1463, when Kraljeva Sutjeska was at the peak of its development. Tradition says that the mosque was built by Mehmed II the Conqueror, after the conquest of Bobovac, in just a few days. At the time of the medieval Turkish conquest, it was a border mosque, popularly known as the Soldier’s Mosque. The mosque has a rectangular base, dimensions 7.93 x 13.10 m. It is built of bricks with the use of wooden beams (the foundations and walls of the ground floor of the central area of the mosque up to the height of the plinth are made of stone), and the external and internal facades are plastered and painted. The roof structure is wooden, and double-folded tiles are used as a cover. The original covering was made of shingles.
- The minaret, with an octagonal cross-section, is made of 8 wooden edge posts with a quadrangular section, and the cross-section of these wooden posts gradually narrows from the base of the minaret to its top. The vertical structure of the minaret rests on a floor made in the form of a wooden grill, which rests on the transverse load-bearing wall of the mosque. By closing the portico area, and establishing gasulhana, abdestahana and classroom, putting tiles as a roof covering, painting interventions in the interior, the mosque lost its originality, which is corrected by returning it to its original state. In the harem of the mosque there are about 50 tombstones.
WEARING THE "KATARINKA" SCARF
THE DAYS OF QUEEN KATARINA
THE LEGEND OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MOSQUE
MEVLUD
THE TRADITION OF TATTOOING WOMEN
MUSLIM WEDDING
WEARING THE "KATARINKA" SCARF
is a tradition still kept in Kraljeva Sutjeska until today and is a symbol of mourning for Queen Katarina, who, after the fall of the Bosnian kingdom under Ottoman rule, had to leave her children and country and die abroad. A black headscarf was worn and is worn by Catholic women from childhood until death as a sign of mourning for Queen Katarina, which is why she got the name “katarinka”. Today, this tradition is practiced most often for special holidays that are celebrated in Kraljeva Sutjeska (such as Ivan’s Day).
THE DAYS OF QUEEN KATARINA
is a traditional event that has been organized since 2008 on the Sunday closest to October 25 – the day Queen Katarina died in Rome. With this event, the inhabitants of Kraljeva Sutjeska, and beyond, remember the queen who, according to folklore, taught the women of Sutjeska many skills, especially embroidery and weaving. In this name, during this manifestation, the women of Kraljeva Sutjeska dress in traditional costumes, typical for this region, sing and dance folk songs and dances.
THE LEGEND OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MOSQUE
is a folk tale that says that in Kraljeva Sutjeska there is one of the oldest mosques in BiH and that it was built by Sultan Mehmed II Fatih himself at the moment when his army was conquering the medieval Bosnian capital Bobovac (in 1463). , close to Kraljeva Sutjeska. According to legend, the mosque was built in just three days. It is said that during the conquest of Bobovac, at the place where the mosque was built, a ritual of prayer was performed under the open sky, and the sultan who led the prayer used a stick stuck in the ground in front of the worshipers as a feather. One day an ant appeared on a stick and climbed up the stick in a circle, which reminded the sultan of the circular steps on the minaret (part of the mosque). The Sultan understood this sign as an instruction that a mosque should be built in this place, which he did immediately after receiving the news that Bobovac was falling. The endowments of the founder of the mosque have not been preserved, and the legend and architecture of the mosque are the only indication and assumption about its age.
MEVLUD
in Kraljeva Sutjeska goes back to the day when Sultan Mehmed II Fatih had one of the oldest mosques in Bosnia and Herzegovina built – the mosque in Kraljeva Sutjeska, close to the medieval capital city of Bobovac. It is said that he personally prayed the Jummah prayer in it with his soldiers who at that moment conquered Bobovac. Since then, on the last Friday of the month of August, a large number of believers have gathered to pray the prayer together, study passages from the Holy Book of the Qur’an and finally study the prayer taught by Sultan Fatih – to bless the entrusted spreading of Islam in these areas.
THE TRADITION OF TATTOOING WOMEN
is a tradition still kept in Kraljeva Sutjeska until today and is a symbol of mourning for Queen Katarina, who, after the fall of the Bosnian kingdom under Ottoman rule, had to leave her children and country and die abroad. A black headscarf was worn and is worn by Catholic women from childhood until death as a sign of mourning for Queen Katarina, which is why she got the name “katarinka”. Today, this tradition is practiced most often for special holidays that are celebrated in Kraljeva Sutjeska (such as Ivan’s Day).
MUSLIM WEDDING
are part of the Bosnian tradition, which is organized at the request of the newlyweds in Kraljeva Sutjeska in the mosque of Sultan Fatih, as one of the oldest mosques in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On this occasion, a traditional lunch is organized in the nearby “Bosnian room” of the Plasto family, which is equipped with traditional Muslim housing segments (dishes, furniture, clothes, rugs, etc.). In the context of wedding customs, a public reception of the bride is organized, the newlyweds are given sherbe (a traditional drink) from the same glass and honey from the same spoon, the groom throws a spoon over the roof, the bride enters the house under the groom’s hand and sprinkles herself with wheat for bereket (overall abundance), and for the children they throw sweets and change. In the first week of marriage, the bride puts henna on her body.
Gallery
+ 7
Directions
Key Contact
- Amra Veispahić
- +387 61 069 071
- Expert Associate for Museum Collections
- Mirsada Čaluk
- +387 61 588 566
- Expert Associate - Museum Librarian/PR,
English 
Bosnian