Throughout its history the region of Herzegovina has been the meeting point of different cultures and civilizations. Today the country has a lot of natural beauties that attract more and more tourists each year.
Herzegovina is a place like no other. Mostly surrounded by hilly karst and high mountains in the north such as ÄŒvrsnica and Prenj, the valley of the river Neretva River is in the center.
One of the best ways to explore Herzegovina is to take a road trip from Sarajevo towards Mostar.
Tour Guide Mostar brings you 5 reasons why you should take a road trip in Herzegovina…
- Jablanica
The area of Jablanica is among the most beautiful landscapes in Herzegovina. Situated on a terraced plateau below the intimidating peaks of mountains Prenj and Cvrsnica Mountains, Jablanica teeters between the Mediterranean and continental climates. The Neretva River carves its way through the centre, dividing the massive mountain ranges. Jablanica lake offers activities such as swimming, boating and especially fishing. Many weekend cottages have been built along the shores of the lake. There are 13 types of fish in the lake’s ecosystem.
- Mostar
The city of Mostar is worldwide known for the many bridges and its name derives from the bridge keepers (mostari) who in the medieval times guarded the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the Neretva. The streets in the Old Town are locally called “Čaršija†and they were all made of stones from the local area. The cobblestone pathway all across the Old Town and on the Old Bridge is called kaldrma.
The rule of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian period left a unique blend of cultures in Mostar. If you enjoy photography, every day you can stroll down the cobblestone streets in Mostar and learn about the history. Be sure to visit the magnificent Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, Karađoz Bey Mosque as well as the Turkish hammam and the Old Bridge Museum.
One of the magical places that take us back to the past is Blagaj, situated only 12 km away from Mostar. The small and magical village of Blagaj is located on the river Buna. The Buna spring is one of the largest and most beautiful springs in Europe and probably the best example of underground karst river. Buna flows out from the cave beneath the cliffs of 200 meters high and independently creates a dark blue-emerald green river. The beautiful scenery and rich history had been home dervish house which is one of the most important monuments from the period of early Ottoman culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- PoÄitelj
When visiting Mostar, be sure to visit the historic town of PoÄitelj which is located on the left bank of the river Neretva, on the main Mostar to Metković road, to the south of Mostar, in the territory of ÄŒapljina Municipality.
Back in the the middle ages, PoÄitelj was centre of governance and its westernmost point, which gave it major strategic importance. It is supposed that the fortified town and its attendant settlements were built by Bosnia’s King Stjepan Tvrtko I in 1383. The walled town of PoÄitelj evolved over the period from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries. Architecturally, the surviving stone-built parts of the town are a fortified complex, in which two stages of evolution may be observed: mediaeval, and Ottoman.
- Kravice
The Kravice waterfalls are one of a kind natural wonder in the region of Herzegovina. Situated very close to the pilgrimage site of Međugorje and only 40 kilometers away from Mostar, these waterfalls are the perfect picture of untouched nature at its peak.
In case you have missed it, see our previous post – 5 must see landscapes in Herzegovina.
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