Hello everybpdy,
As I have been to Bosnia and Herzegovina many times, if I start writing about Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bosnians, I think it would take too long and you would get bored reading it. But I want to tell you about a city where you can treat your mind and come back with great relaxation.
If I want to summarize our Bosniak brothers and sisters briefly, even though they emerged from a huge war and poverty, they live their normal lives today. Like us, they have their own entertainment venues, places to visit, and nightlife areas.
On the other hand, the biggest misconception is that the Serbs and Croats, with whom they live in the same country, are their enemies. However, there are Serbs and Croats who fought shoulder to shoulder with Bosniaks in the Bosnian war. These people are the owners of these cities as much as Bosniaks.
No one has any doubt that the governing system is the worst in the world. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, where approximately 3.5 million people live, the fact that half of the population is interested in politics, that the cabinet changes every year, that three states are the decision-makers in international decisions due to the fact that it is a federated state, that there are conflicts between the states within the country, that there are 10 different cantons and their parliaments, that there are more than 240 ministers, has made the administration of the country quite terrible. With the expiration of the Dayton Agreement, which established this system, it is a matter of curiosity in Bosnia and Herzegovina what will happen in the future.
On the other hand, due to the fact that tourism companies constantly impose the cities that will satisfy them commercially on people as advertisements, many cities that should be visited in the background remain closed. I think one of them is the city of Bihac.
As I wrote above, there are 3 different states and 10 different cantons in the country and you should think of each canton as a separate country. Normally we say Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and it is true, but each canton has its own capital.
One of these cantons is Una-Sana canton and the capital of this canton is the city of Bihac.
According to the most recent elections in 2013, the city has 56,261 inhabitants. Of these, 49,550 are Muslims, 3,265 are Catholics, and 910 are Orthodox. However, the region has been developing considerably over time, showing a “good” level of migration in Bosnia.
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How to go to Bihac City?
The city of Bihac is located in the north-west of the country. You can reach the city in 3 ways. All these 3 roads are a few hours away by land. I can say that car rental prices in Bosnia and Herzegovina are between 30 and 50 € per day according to the date this article was written. However, driving on the intercity roads of Bosnia and Herzegovina requires some skillful driving, if you are not confident, please do not drive in the night.
1-) Departure from Sarajevo
To go from Sarajevo, you need to take the country’s highway, exit Travnik, follow the city of Donju Vakuf, and then drive through the city of Klujc, which takes about 3-3.5 hours.
2-) Departure from Banja Luka
If you live in Europe, there are flights from certain European cities to Banja Luka. It takes approximately 1-1.5 hours from Banja Luka to Bihac.
3-) Departure from Zagreb
If you have a Schengen visa and want to go directly to Croatia and then reach the city, it takes about 2.5 hours via Zagreb.
Apart from these, you can buy a ticket from the bus terminal of each city I mentioned above, adding 1 hour to the travel times I wrote above.
Where to visit in Bihac?
1-) Una National Park
With its breathtaking nature and natural beauty, I think it ranks first among the places to visit. Don’t just see this place as a park, you can also go rafting here. Lamb can be eaten in a restaurant,
The total size of this national park is 198 km2. Entrance is possible with a ticket. There are walking paths inside the park. If you are a rafting lover and want to be alone with green nature and fresh air, I strongly recommend you to go.
We went with my family in spring. It really is a corner of paradise. It is as if perfume is sprayed inside the park. Water sounds and water flow is already incredible. This is the paradise on earth with rivers flowing underneath. The green and blue together with the forest air is wonderful. Definitely a place to go before you die. – Turkish Tripadvisor User Review –
If you want to go rafting in Una National Park, the cost is €33 at the time of this writing. Rafting takes approximately 1-1,5 hours.
2-) How About Dining on the Una River?
Skipping this topic would be an insult to the city of Bihac 🙂
You can try great flavors on the Una river with small dining tables set on boats. The meals in Bihac generally cost around €8-10 for one person for soup – main course – salad and dessert. This service on the river may cost a little more, but I think you should definitely try it once in your life.
3-) Ostrožac Castle
The history of Turks stretches all over the world.
The Ottoman castle Ostrozac, which was transformed into a romantic castle at the request of Isabella von Berks, wife of the Governor of Bihac, during the period when Bosnia and Herzegovina was under the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, draws attention with its story and mystical appearance.
Located on a hill near the city of Cazin, close to the city of Bihac, the fate of the castle, which for centuries had been a defense against attacks and a shelter for the nobles of the city, changed when Isabella, the wife of Lothar von Berks, who was also a knight, wanted to live in a “romantic” castle.
Today, the castle, which cannot be repaired due to the region’s lack of funds, attracts many foreign tourists and still contains the works of the oldest sculptors of the period. What is special about this castle for us is that it was taken from the Ottomans. Unfortunately, even today the Croatian state is exerting diplomatic pressure on Bosnia and Herzegovina to take the castle as its own.
4-) Ottoman Turbe
The mausoleum was built as an Islamic mausoleum during the Ottoman period. It was built to commemorate the soldiers who died during the siege of Bihac by the Austro-Hungarians. The hexagonal structure is located in Bihac, a stone from the region.
5-) Fethija Mosque
Built in 1266 in Gothic style, the Catholic Church has been used as a mosque since 1592.
In 1266, when it was first built, according to historical records, this building was intended to be used as a Catholic monastery.
6-) Walk the Streets of Bihac
The streets of Bihac are a pleasure to walk along with the harmony of the river. The souvenir shops you will find in the streets, the “Bistro” next to the river, which resembles Istanbul’s Reina, will give you the feeling of walking in a model of Istanbul. You can also see many sculptures and artistic activities in the city center.
The city of Bihac, among other cities, will remind you of a European city. Although the country is underdeveloped, the friendly and smiling people will make you feel at home.
What to Eat in Bihac?
The food of Bosnia and Herzegovina is wonderful and tastes close to all flavors. You can find many flavors similar to meatballs such as Cevapi, Pleskavitsa. However, other dishes that you should definitely try are “Sopska Salad”, sheep yogurt, Bosnian pastry and many pastry shops called “Pekerna”.
