SCROLLABOUT VIŠEGRAD
Višegrad is the seat of the municipality of the same name in the eastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the spacious basin of the Drina River. Višegrad is known for its UNESCO World Heritage site, the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, and the poet Ivo Andrić, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his work “The Bridge on the Drina”.
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HISTORY OF VIŠEGRAD
It is known that the oldest traces of human life in this region date back to the period of the Illyrians, around 1500 BC. The Roman road “Via Drina” passed through the Drina Valley, and during this time, German miners known as Saxons settled in this area, after whom one part of Višegrad is still called Saxons today.
Višegrad had a very favorable economic, geographical, and strategic position, making it a target for many conquerors. Višegrad is first mentioned in 1433 in connection with the powerful Serbian noble family Pavlović, and according to the famous Turkish traveler Evliya Çelebi, Mehmed Pasha built the lower part of Višegrad around 1577. Since there was also a settlement above it, the city got its name Višegrad. Višegrad fell under the control of the Ottoman Empire in 1462, where it remained until the Berlin Congress in 1878, when Austria-Hungary took over the entire Bosnia. Under Austro-Hungarian rule, Višegrad was urbanized and modernized, with the construction of water supply systems, the introduction of land registries, the building of a narrow-gauge railway, and public buildings. After World War I, Višegrad was part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and after the world wars, many buildings were left in ruins, with most of the structures, including the Višegrad bridge, being severely damaged.
What To See And Do In VIŠEGRAD
Old Bridge on the Drina
The bridge on the Drina is one of the most significant national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since July 2007. The bridge was built between 1571 and 1577 and is a masterpiece of the renowned Turkish architect Mimar Sinan. The bridge on the Drina was constructed as a foundation by Mehmet Pasha Sokolović, at a location where the road connected Bosnia to Constantinople, above the Drina River. The Old Bridge of Višegrad features 11 stone arches with widths ranging from 11 to 15 meters, and its length is 179.5 meters. In the middle of the bridge, there used to be a small house with a wooden gate and a bridge guard, which is why this part of the bridge was called the gate. Today, it hosts a sofa, a well-known gathering place for both the residents of Višegrad and numerous tourists. The bridge on the Drina holds centuries of Višegrad history, has suffered numerous damages, and has served as a source of inspiration for many, including Ivo Andrić’s “The Bridge on the Drina,” which won the Nobel Prize.
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Andrićgrad
Andrićgrad, or Stone Town, is located at the confluence of the Drina River and the Rzav River, and is the creation of the renowned director Emir Kusturica. Kusturica was inspired by the life and works of Ivo Andrić, and today, Andrićgrad serves as a cultural center and a type of ethno-village. The complex contains about fifty buildings, with a monument to Ivo Andrić, standing 2.4 meters tall, occupying a central place. Andrićgrad represents a perfect blend of epochs and styles that have alternated throughout the centuries of this city’s history, and during your visit, you will have the opportunity to enjoy cinemas, galleries, dining establishments, bookstores, as well as the Ivo Andrić Institute with its center for Slavic studies and a replica of the Dečani monastery.
Outdoor Activities in VIŠEGRAD
Cruising on the Drina River
Cruising on the Drina River is a tourist attraction organized along the route of Perućac-Višegrad-Perućac, covering a navigable distance of 54 kilometers. The Drina River is known as one of the most beautiful rivers in the former Yugoslavia, and the Drina canyon ranks as the second largest in all of Europe. Cruising the Drina River will enhance your visit to Višegrad, and due to the steep cliffs of the canyon, the waterway is the only route to explore the surrounding slopes of Mount Zvijezda, where in certain parts the canyon is up to 1000 meters deep.
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Swimming at Jaz Beach
Located just 12 kilometers upstream from Višegrad, Jaz Beach is the most famous beach on the Drina River in Višegrad. In addition to enjoying the clean, refreshing waters of the Drina, visitors have the opportunity to rent boats and fishing equipment, as well as pedal boats for cruising on the lake. Jaz Beach also features children’s pools, slides, play areas, and an excellent selection of local specialties, including trout, Drina carp, and fish soup.
WHAT AND WHERE TO EAT IN VIŠEGRAD
Višegrad offers several restaurants with top-notch service and a very wide selection of national specialties, as well as a rich variety of beverages. In Višegrad, you will have the opportunity to taste excellently prepared meats, from veal to trout, all paired with quality, premium wines. Even fans of grilled dishes will not be disappointed, as Višegrad boasts several grill houses with a pleasant atmosphere, professional service, generous portions, and affordable prices!
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WHERE TO STAY IN VIŠEGRAD
Višegrad offers several hotels, motels, private accommodations, apartments, and rooms for rent at very affordable prices. Additionally, there are about fifty budget rooms for guests located in three pseudo-historical buildings in Andrićgrad.
