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VIŠEGRAD

ABOUT  VIŠEGRAD

Višegrad is the seat of the namesake municipality in the eastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the spacious basin of the Drina River. Višegrad is known for its world heritage under the protection of UNESCO, the bridge of Mehmed-pasha Sokolović and the poet Ivo Andric, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature for his book “Na Drini Ćuprija”.

HISTORY OF VIŠEGRAD

It is known that the oldest traces of human life in this region date from the period of Illyrians, 1500 BC. The Roman road “Via Drina” passed through the Drina valley, and in this period the German miners Sasi settled in these areas, according to which a part of Višegrad is still called Sase.

Višegrad had a very favourable economic, geographical and strategic position, and was, therefore, the target of many conquerors. Višegrad was first mentioned in 1433 in connection with the powerful Serbian family Pavlović. According to the famous Turkish traveller Evlija Čelebija, Mehmed Pasha built the lower Višegrad varoš around 1577, and since there was a settlement above or rather a city it was named Višegrad.

Višegrad fell under the rule of the Ottoman Empire in 1462, where it remained until the Berlin Congress in 1878 when Austro-Hungarian occupied the entire Bosnia. Under Austro-Hungarian rule, Višegrad was urbanized and modernized, water supply built, land registers created, and narrow-gauge railroads and public buildings were constructed. After the First World War, Višegrad became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and after the Second World War, most of the buildings were severely damaged, including the bridge.

WHAT TO SEE IN VISEGRAD

Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge

Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge is one of the most important national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since July 2007  The bridge was built in the period from 1571-1577 and it represents a masterpiece of the famous Turkish architect Kodža Mimar Sinan. The bridge on the Drina was built as an endowment of Mehmet-paša Sokolović, at the place where the road connected Bosnia with Constantinople, above the river Drina. The old bridge has 11 built-in arches 11 to 15 meters wide and 179.5 meters long. In the middle of the bridge there once used to be a house with a wooden gate and a bridge guard. Today there is a sofa which has become a famous gathering place for both locals and numerous tourists. The bridge on the Drina preserves the centuries-long history of Višegrad, has suffered numerous damages, but it also served as a source of many inspirations, including Andrić’s “Na Drini Ćuprija” – winner of the Nobel Prize.

Andrićgrad

Andrićgrad or Kamengrad is the work of the famous director Emir Kusturica, and it is located at the very mouth of the Drina river and the river Rzav. Kusturica was inspired by the character and work of Ivo Andrić, and Andrićgrad today represents a cultural centre and a type of ethno-village. In the complex, there are about fifty objects, and the centre is dedicated to a monument of Ivo Andrić, 2.4 meters high. Andrićgrad represents the perfect combination of epochs and styles that have shifted through the centuries-old history of this city, and during your visit, you will have the opportunity to enjoy cinemas, galleries, catering facilities, bookstores as well as the Institute of Ivo Andrić with the Slavic Center and the replica of the Dečani Monastery.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Drina River Cruise

The Drina River Cruise is a tourist attraction organized on the Perućac-Višegrad-Perućac route, which travels the length of the 54-kilometer waterway. The Drina River is known as one of the most beautiful rivers in the former Yugoslavia. Because of the steep cliffs of the Drina canyon, the watercourse is the only way to see the surrounding slopes of Mount Zvijezda, wherein some parts of the canyon are deep up to 1000 meters.

Swimming on the beach Jaz

Just 12 kilometres upstream from Višegrad, there is the beach called Jaz – the most famous beach on the Drina in Višegrad. In addition to enjoying the clean, refreshing water of the Drina, visitors can rent boats and fishing accessories, and a pedalo for driving on the lake. Beach Jaz also has swimming pools for children, slides, playgrounds, and the best offering of local specialities, including trout, drunken carp, and fish soup.

WHAT AND WHERE TO EAT IN VISEGRAD

Višegrad offers several restaurants with excellent service and a very wide range of national specialities, as well as a rich selection of drinks. In Višegrad, you will have the opportunity to taste excellently prepared meat, from veal to trout, all with quality, top wines. Lovers of grilled dishes will not be disappointed either, because Višegrad offers several grills with a pleasant atmosphere, professional service, large portions and affordable prices!

WHERE TO STAY

Višegrad has an accommodation capacity of several hotels, motels, private accommodation, apartments and rental rooms at very affordable prices. In addition, in Andrićgrad there are about fifty comfortable guest rooms located in three pseudo-historical buildings.

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