ILLYRIANS

I L L Y R I A N S from Nedim Ajanic on Vimeo.

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WATERFALL KRAVICE

Una National Park

       Una National Park (Bosnian: Nacionalni park Una) was established in 2008 (29/05/08) around the Upper Una River and the Unac River. It is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most recently established national park. The main purpose of the park is to protect the unspoiled Una and Unac rivers which run through it.

      Protection zone of the National Park stretches on the western side from the source of the Krka creek and its course to the confluence with the Una on the state border of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Croatia from where park border follows the Una and state border to the town of Martin Brod and confluence with the Unac. On the eastern side border of the park goes from the entrance of the Unac River into its canyon, few kilometers downstream from town of Drvar, and follows the Unac and its canyon all the way to the confluence with the Una in town of Martin Brod. From there park border follows the Una on the right and state border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia on the left, until it reach a small town of Ripac, few kilometers upstream from town of Bihac.

     The Una’s waterfalls and white water rapids highlight the park. The most famous waterfalls are those at Martion Brod, where the popular "International Una Regatta" kayaking competition begins, and Strbacki Buk further downstream. Throughout the park, visitors can enjoy prime conditions for rafting, fishing, cycling, hiking, and camping. Jumping from the city bridges in Bihac and Bosanska Krupa is also popular. Largest waterfall on the Una river is Strbacki Buk, and is one of the main feature in the Park.

     

     Una National Park is also noted for its biodiversity, with 30 fish species, 130 bird species, and other animals, including lynx, fox, wolf, bear and chamois.

      Area of the park has rich cultural-historic heritage and numerous archaeological sites, many dating from the prehistoric period. Significant historical and cultural heritage of the area within and outside the park zone are the Roman fort Milanceva Kula, Rmanj, Rmanj Monastery, medieval fortress Ostrovica above Kulen Vakuf, as well as outside the park zone Sokolacka Kula fortress in Sokolac village near Bihac and Ostrozac Castle between Bihać and Bosanska Krupa.

      Proximity to Pljesevica mountain virgin forest, which stretches between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, and Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park makes Una National Park a top destination for visitors. More importantly, all of the facts about these two National Parks, their proximity, natural, cultural and historical richness, brings out the possibility and makes viable idea of joint management and promotion.

      The Plitvice Lakes National Park has been inhabited by strong conquerors that lived centuries ago, including Celts, Romans or Ottomans. Nowadays, the park, which occupies nearly 297 square kilometers, is protected by law and for good reason.

      While there is a large number of sightseeing objectives in this area, most tourists come to watch the 16 interconnected lakes linked to one another by a series of rivers and spectacular waterfalls. Ever since the 19th century, when locals began building hotels here, tourists were given the chance of walking over rivers and woods on specially designed bridges.

     One of the most beautiful objectives here, Veliki Slap, is the tallest waterfall in Croatia; as tourists admit, watching the water coming from the Plitvice stream and falling down on the 78 meters high rocks covered in plants is, indeed, a unique experience.

http://nationalpark-una.ba/en/

The monastery in Žitomislići

In the valley on the left bank of Neretva, on the highway towards the Adriatic Sea, we find the Žitomislići-monastery and its church. 

There are several proofs found that the village Žitomislići existed in pre-historic time, and example of these are the ruins of a basilica and stones with various engraved patterns. Several churches and monasteries were re-established in the 16^th and 17^th century, and one of them was the monastery in Žitomislići (1602/03). The head master in the monastery was Milisan Hrabren, but he did not live long enough to see the full restoration of the monastery.

From the middle of the 19^th century, the monastery improved its economic, cultural and educational status. This led to the establishment of the Serbian national school and the Spiritual School in the village.

By the looking at the architectural aspects, the church of monastery is similar to the monasteries in Zavala and Pljevlji.

All the valuable documents from the Ottoman period, sacred items and the entire library were destroyed in a fire that took place in the monastery.

The place was recognized as a historical monument after the Second World War, but it was unfortunately totally destroyed during the recent war. The restoration is in progress, and the monastery is once again an active, spiritual centre.

Bosnia & Herzeg. club's in European Cup's EP1 (1/3) (English subtitles)

Mostar Eternal City

Jovan Ducic

A great poet and a diplomat, Jovan Dučić was born in Trebinje. The exact date of his birth is not known, but it is assumed that he was born in 1872. He has always pointed out his love for his hometown. The best proof of that are the things that he has done throughout his life and that he has left behind. The paths of his life have led him often away from Trebinje, which made him homesick. Dučić’s collection of over 5000 books, manuscripts of his literary works, journals and personal possessions are being kept at the National library in Trebinje.

He started his diplomatic career around the year 1907. As a diplomat, he used to travel a lot, and he always tried to transfer the achievements of the modern civilization to his native town.

Jovan Dučić died in 1943. in the USA. According to his own wish he was buried in his hometown. His grave is in the Hercegovačka Gračanica, on the hill Crkvina above Trebinje.