Croatia is bordered by Bosnia and Herzegovina to the east. On our way from Plitvice Lakes National Park back to Dubrovnik yesterday, we took a detour to Bosnia and Herzegovina and visited some of the sites close to the Croatia border.
Our first stop was Kravica Waterfall, one of the most popular natural attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We then made our way to Mostar Old Town, which dates back to the 15th century and has a rich history influenced by the Ottoman Empire.
The Old Town is characterized by narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and traditional houses with stone roofs.
The Old Town also offers stunning views of the Neretva River.
One of the oldest parts of Mostar is Kujundžiluk (Old Bazaar), which dates back to the mid-16th century. There are many craft shops and restaurants here.
The centerpiece of Mostar Old Town is the Stari Most (Old Bridge), a UNESCO World Heritage site.
We spent the rest of the day exploring the Old Town.
We were up early this morning and continued to explore the Old Town, revisiting the Old Bridge.
Originally built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, the bridge was destroyed during the Bosnian War in 1993. It was later reconstructed and reopened in 2004.
The bridge is an iconic symbol of the city and represents reconciliation and peace.
In the early hours of the day, the streets were completely empty and very quiet.
Even the Old Bridge and the Old Bazaar were devoid of tourists.
In the Old Town, we also came across some building ruins, likely remnants of the civil war in the 1990s.
Our final destination was Vrelo Bune (Buna Spring).
It’s one of the strongest springs in Europe.
Adjacent to the spring is the historic Blagaj Tekija, a 16th-century Dervish monastery that combines Ottoman and Mediterranean architectural styles.
Offering a blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical significance, Vrelo Bune is a highly sought-after tourist destination. However, arriving early allowed us to enjoy the place entirely to ourselves.
We relished our short trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hopefully, we’ll have the chance to return for another visit.
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