Introducing Bosnia and Herzegovina

Introducing Bosnia and Herzegovina

Time seems to move slowly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is evident in the regular stroll, called a korzo, which takes place in Sarajevo and numerous other towns and villages each evening. Families and friends stroll at a casual pace, pausing to greet people they know. Laughter and storytelling mix with background music. Coffee and food shops tempt the senses and line the streets where the korzo takes place. Teens taking the korzo look for friends or perhaps, for that special young man or woman they would like to know better. The korzo is a nightly social event, without parallel in the West. It is something special, something to be remembered and celebrated. Even the rolling hills of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s beautiful countryside seem to reflect the slower pace of time in this region. This pace of life can be deceiving though, as change has often come too rapidly to this new, small, and often troubled country. On a nondescript bridge in Sarajevo, for example, the flames igniting World War I were kindled. It was on this bridge that Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated on an ill-fated day in 1914. This event, in the seemingly calm Sarajevo, triggered the chain of events that resulted in World War I.

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Troy is in Bosnia?

Some people claim that ancient city Troy is in Bosnia,and they try to see it from the book Iliad from ancient writer Homer..Look this picture..

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Bosnian pyramid of the Sun

The Bosnian Pyramid, Visocica Hill, is the first European pyramid to be discovered and is located in the heart of Bosnia, in the town of Visoko. The pyramid has all the elements: four perfectly shaped slopes pointing toward the cardinal points, a flat top and an entrance complex. On top of the pyramid are also the ruins of a Medieval walled town, once the base of a Bosnian king Tvrtko of Kotromanic (1338-1391). Because of its similarities to the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico, it has been named the “Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun” ('Bosanska Piramida Sunca'). There are also a four more ancient structures on the site, the Bosnian Pyramid of the Moon ('Bosanska Piramida Mjeseca'), Bosnian Pyramid of the Dragon ( 'Bosanska Piramida Zmaja'), Bosnian Pyramid of the Love ('Bosanska Piramida Ljubavi') and Temple of the Earth, ('Hram Zemlje').'We have already dug out stone blocks which I believe are covering the pyramid', said Semir Osmanagic, a Bosnian  archaeologist who has spent the last 15 years studying the pyramids of Latin America. 'We found a paved entrance plateau and discovered underground tunnels'

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Neolithic Settlements in Bosnia

Archaeological findings attest to a human presence on the territory of today's Bosnia from the Neolithic period. Several sites, dating as far back as sixth millennium B.C., have been excavated in region of central Bosnia, between rivers Bosnia, Vrbas and Neretva. Most famous site is Butmir, about 10 km west of downtown Sarajevo, and this Neolithic culture is named after it. Butmir settlement had been discovered in 1893, and excavations by Radimsky and Fiala continued for three more years. Their findings were published in two volumes (1895 and 1898). In 20th century several other sites were discovered, and most important ones are: Obre (10 km east from Kakanj), Okoliste (10 km southeast from Kakanj), Nebo (15 km northeast from Turbe) and Lisicici(near Konjic). Archaeological findings on these sites were dated from 5300-4200 years B.C. and it was confirmed by radiocarbonation.

Neolithic people lived in river valleys with fertile land, in rectangular, two-room houses of wooden construction, clay walls and straw roofs. One of the rooms had oval shaped stove built of clay on a branch construction. Abundance of decorated pottery was found, as well as flint, bone and stone tools. Pottery decoration was mostly spiral, but other geometrical shapes were present as well. Area in front of the stove was wood covered, while space behind stove was probably used as working area. Pits beside stoves were used to collect ashes, possibly to wash cloth with it. Human figures found in central Bosnia are specific by neatly combed hair, long noses and were mouthless.

Dr. Alojz Benac as an ultimate authority on Neolithic period in Bosnia, excavated several of these sites, and published numerous works on Neolithic "Butmir" culture.

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Ancient tribes and cultures in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina throughout its history had wonderful mixture of different cultures, and it is quite hard to find any other European or world country, that was exposed to so many cultural influences ... Every culture had something specific to contribute to creation of Bosnia, and it would be unfair to skip any of them. 

Illyrian tribes

Following Neolithic people in Bosnia, next known inhabitants were Illyrian tribes. They were of proto Indo-European origin, and although it is not clear when they settled in Balkans, but they have certainly been there in 1200 B.C., and on the territory of Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1000 B.C. Some of the Illyrian sites are located in parts of today's Sarajevo - Zlatiste and Soukbunar, while others are spread all over Bosnia - from northwest (in proximity of Bihac) to south (Stolac). Several Illyrian tribes were living here: Iapode, Liburne, Dalmate, Desidiate, Ardiane, Daors... Individual tribe rulers were referenced as Kings of Illyria by Greeks, however it is not known that any one of them had a power over all Illyrian tribes. Not much can be said on Illyrian history between settlement and the 7th century B.C, when they were exposed to growing influence from Greeks, and were forced to give up some strongholds on Adriatic islands (Corcyra). A lot of smaller Illyrian tribes were pacified, and no traces of arms were found in their gravesites. Obviously, not all tribes had same destiny as Thucydides mentions Illyrian mercenaries in Corcyrans campaign against Epidamnus in 435 B.C. 

With Macedonian weakness, and decline of Greek colonies in Adriatic sea, some Illyrian tribes (Dardanians under king Bardylis), have been raiding Macedonia for more than 50 years, until Philip II took over Macedonian throne, and defeated Dardanians in 359 and expanded Macedonian territory as far north as Lake Ohrid. Phillip's son and successor Alexander The Great, has been concentrated on Asian conquests, and his operations against Illyrian tribes could be characterized as simple policing actions. He destroyed army of Illyrian general Clitus in 335 BC, and after that Illyrians were part of his force against Persia. In 312 B.C. (11 years after Alexander's death), Illyrian King Glaucius lead Illyrians to expel the Greeks from Durres. Ardiaeian King Agron, and his wife and successor Teuta raided Greek coast as they wanted, and strengthened Illyrian kingdom. Romans had sent envoys to Teuta with request to stop Illyrian piracy in Adriatic sea, but she had envoys murdered, and that brought revenge of rising Rome, and after a punishment expeditions, Romans took coastal region and set up Roman colony under Demetrios from Pharos. This marked final decline of Illyrians, as in next 250 years, piece by piece of Illyrian territory was taken by Romans. In Illyrian wars 229-219 BC, Rome got Neretva river valley, in 168 BC they defeated Illyrian king Gentius at Shkoder, and finally in 9 AD, under the rule of Tiberius, all Illyrian territories were under Roman control.

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Tourisam Destination

There are many fascinating destinations throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina for every type of tourist. In BiH, one gets the best of both worlds. Here, the most interesting and attractive sites are a wonderful mix of this tiny country's cultural and natural heritage. It is almost impossible to separate them, for it is from this pristine nature that its cultures and traditions evolved. 

Sarajevo's Bascarsija (Old Town)
The Old Town 'Bascarsija' may be hard to pronounce but it is certainly one of the most impressive and charming market centers in the country. Bascarsija has been a trading and meeting place since the 15th century as caravans from Asia minor, Dubrovnik and the west met here to trade their wares.

Mostar's Stari Most (Old Bridge)

The old bridge is perhaps the finest example of Ottoman ingenuity and Dalmatian masonry in the western Balkans. Not only does this precious stone structure bridge the east and west banks of the emerald Neretva River, it also symbolizes the crossroads of eastern and western civilizations


Neum - the sunny Adriatic
Although its only a tiny strip of the gorgeous Adriatic, Neum has become a major seaside resort. Ideally located between Split and Dubrovnik and just a short distance to Mostar and Medugorje, Neum is an inexpensive holiday spot for fun and the sun.


Sutjeska National Park
Locally famous for the great battle of WWII when the partisans defeated a massive German army this park is also home to one of Europe's last remaining primeval forests in Perucica. Also home to Bosnia's highest peak (Maglic Mt. 2,386 m) its a paradise for hikers, walkers and nature lovers.  





Medugorje
In the early 1980's several teenagers saw a vision of the Virgin Mary. Since then this sleepy Herzegovina village has been transformed into one of the largest Catholic pilgrimages in the world. 



Tekija (Blagaj)
This 16th century dervish order monastery epitomizes the harmonious existence of man and nature. This stunning structure was built at the mouth of the largest source in Herzegovina which gushes from a cave at the base of a 200 meter cliff. 

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Cities in Bosnia

 

  * Banja Luka
    * Banovići
    * Bihać
    * Berkovići
    * Bijeljina
    * Kozarska Dubica
    * Brod
    * Bosanska Gradiška
    * Bosanska Krupa
    * Bosanski Petrovac
    * Brčko
    * Bugojno
    * Čajniče
    * Cazin
    * Derventa
    * Doboj
    * Banovići
    * Bihać
    * Berkovići
    * Bijeljina
    * Kozarska Dubica
    * Brod
    * Bosanska Gradiška
    * Bosanska Krupa
    * Bosanski Petrovac
    * Brčko
    * Bugojno
    * Čajniče
    * Cazin
    * Derventa
    * Doboj  
    * Donji Vakuf
    * Foča
    * Goražde
    * Gornji Vakuf
    * Gračanica
    * Gradačac
    * Ilidža
    * Istočno Sarajevo
    * Jajce
    * Jablanica
    * Kakanj
    * Kalesija
    * Kiseljak
    * Kreševo
    * Konjic
    * Laktaši
    * Livno
    * Ljubuški
    * Lukavac
    * Modriča
    * Mostar
    * Nevesinje
    * Neum
    * Novi Grad
    * Novi Travnik
    * Petrovo
    * Prijedor
    * Sanski Most
    * Sarajevo
    * Srebrenik
    * Srebrenica
    * Teslić
    * Tešanj
    * Travnik
    * Trebinje
    * Tuzla
    * Velika Kladuša
    * Visoko
    * Vitez
    * Zavidovići
    * Zenica
    * Zvornik
    * Živinice
    * Žepče

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Bosnian languange

Bosnian (Bosanski (Bosanski, Cyrilic: босански) is a name commonly used for Serbo-Croatian as spoken by Bosnian as a form of the Shtokavian dialekt, it is one of three Serbo-Croatian standards used officially in Bosnia. The same subdialect of Shtokavian is also the basis of standard Croatian and Serbian,  so all are mutually intelligible. Up until the dissolution of former SFRJ, they were treated as a unitary Serbo-Croatian languange and that term is still used to refer to the common base (vocabulary, grammar and syntax) of what are today officially four national standards. The Bosnian standard uses the Latin alphabet. The name of the language is a subject of some controversary in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia and is sometimes alternatively referred to as Bosniak (also spelled "Bosniac"; bošnjački), reflecting a position that it is the standard language of Bosniaks, not all Bosnian (i.e.Croats, Serbs and Bosniaks).

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Ethnic Gropus

More than 95% of population of Bosnia and Herzegovina belongs to one of its three constitutive ethnic groups: Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats . The term constitutive refers to the fact that these three ethnic groups are explicitly mentioned in the constitution, and that none of them can be considered a minority or immigrant.

While each have their own standard language variant and a name for it, they speak mutually intelligible languages. On a dialectal level, Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks speak a variety of Štokavian dialects: Serbs, Bosniaks and Croats "southern" neo-Štokavian; Croats and Bosniaks "western" neo-Štokavian and Bosniaks and Croats "eastern-Bosnian" old-Štokavian. These dialects are mutually intelligible, but have fixed phonetic, morphological and lexical differences. The question of standard language of Bosnia and Herzegovina is resolved in such a way that three constituent ethnic groups have their educational and cultural institutions in their respective native or mother tongue languages: Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian.

The most easily recognizable feature that distinguishes the three ethnic groups is their religion, with Bosniaks predominantly Muslim, Serbs predominantly Orthodox Christians, and Croats Catholic Christians.

This has led some to believe that these ethnic groups emerged from religious groups in a process that occurred in 19th century. On the other hand, numerous historians, culturologists and ethnologists consider that Croats and Serbs have merely completed their ethnic integration in the 19th century (like, for instance, Norwegians or Slovaks), while Bosniaks crystallized into a separate ethnic group only at the end of the 20th century. A Y chromosome haplogroups study published in 2005 found that "three main groups of Bosnia-Herzegovina, in spite of some quantitative differences, share a large fraction of the same ancient gene pool distinctive for the Balkan area".
This supports the view that Bosniaks are autochthonous population of Bosnia (descendants of the same tribes that formed Serbs and Croats), regardless of their religious preferences (i.e. not only Muslims, but also Orthodox, Catholics or any other group in the country). A term for "Serb" or "Croat" as an autochthonous inhabitant was virtually unknown in Bosnia before 19th century when the idea of identifying Bosnian Orthodox population with Serbs started to grow in Serbia with strong political substance, especially after Ilija Garasanin's silent program for a Greater Serbia - Nacertanije.

In the same time the opposing political forces in the neighboring Croatia started to claim Bosnian Catholics as Croats, bringing confusion to the mainly apolitical population.

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