It is easiest and dearest for me to write about what I know in my soul, and that would certainly be my city, my Banja Luka. However, precisely because of that, the story would become lengthy, as everything I would say would seem too little to me, and Banja Luka is certainly one of the most visited cities in our country, so I believe that most readers have been here at least once. But there is its surroundings, so many wonderful places near Banja Luka that need to be seen, visited, and experienced, and one of them is certainly Krupa na Vrbasu.

Krupa na Vrbasu is a populated place located 25 km from Banja Luka, on the route Banja Luka – Jajce. The journey to Krupa na Vrbasu is an experience as you pass through the canyon of Vrbas, where the rocks above the river and the road rise and create a beautiful landscape, so I am sure you will enjoy the journey as much as the destination itself. Krupa is the first place I take my guests who have not been to Banja Luka and visited its surroundings. Why? Because it is very content-rich and where, in a relatively small area, there are so many wonderful locations, some of which are: the Krupa River with its picturesque waterfalls and watermills that are still in use today; a well-maintained walking path along the crystal clear river and beautiful forest; the monastery of St. Elijah, which dates back to the 13th century; the remains of the old town of Greben; an observation point offering a spectacular view of Vrbas and the whole of Krupa na Vrbasu; the source of the Krupa River as well as its confluence with Vrbas; the natural stone bridge – a geomorphological wonder of nature, Strika’s cave, an old church… So let’s go in order.

THE WATERFALLS OF KRUPA. Surely the biggest gem of Krupa na Vrbasu are the Krupa Waterfalls, cascading waterfalls that attract both the local population and tourists from various parts of the world with their beauty. There is a picnic area at the waterfalls, and several watermills where you can buy flour. If you cross the wooden bridge above the waterfalls, the path leads you through the forest where after a few minutes of walking, you arrive at the next gem of Krupa na Vrbasu – the Krupa Monastery and the Church of St. Elijah.

 

THE KRUPA MONASTERY. The monastery church of St. Elijah, known to the people as Ilinka, dates back to the end of the 13th century and was most likely built during the Nemanjić dynasty. The monks of Krupa na Vrbasu also built the Krupa Monastery near Obrovac in Dalmatia in 1317. The monastery was devastated during the Turks in the 16th century, only to be revived at the end of the 19th century, specifically in 1889 when it was restored. The monastery was destroyed and burned for the second time by the Austro-Hungarians in 1914, and then it was again destroyed during World War II. It also suffered in a strong earthquake that hit Banja Luka in 1969, after which it was restored. The status of the monastery was returned only in 1989. In the meantime, between the destruction by the Turks and the restoration in 1889, a wooden church was built which served as a substitute for the monastery and still exists but at a different location.

 

 

 

WALKING ALONG THE RIVER. You can best experience the Krupa River by walking along its entire course, which is not a very demanding activity, considering that from the waterfalls upstream to the source is about 2 kilometers. The path alongside this clear, green beauty is well-maintained, and benches for resting as well as shelters for picnics are placed along the way. Since private cottages have been built along most of the river’s course, the bank is arranged and it is really pleasant for walking, but keep in mind that you cannot use some facilities as they are privately owned.

 

 

OLD TOWN GREBEN. Above the Tijesno canyon, on steep cliffs, are the remains of the medieval town of Greben, which is a protected cultural property. This town is first mentioned in written documents in 1192. Trails lead you to Greben that you often have to tread yourself as few go this way and it is quite inaccessible, but when you reach this place, the view from the viewpoint makes you forget the effort expended. In any case, I recommend caution if you decide to embark on this adventure.

 

THE STONE BRIDGE. The stone bridge in Krupa na Vrbasu (more precisely in the village of Krmine, on the other bank of the Vrbas) is a geomorphological wonder of nature, known as a natural bridge. It is one of the largest natural bridges in Europe, standing 70 m high. The stone bridge can be seen from the main highway Banja Luka – Jajce, and at the moment you see it, park your car at the first widening, cross the nearby hanging pedestrian bridge over the Vrbas and there begins a 2 km long path that is nicely marked. If you head there in the summer, extra caution is needed due to the presence of snakes, which is also indicated by signs placed right under the stone bridge.