As a photographer born in the city of Bihać, one of my main inspirations in both daily life and creativity is the Una River. If you ask me, the entire city of Bihać is a national treasure in my eyes. As one quote goes, “Give me little eyes to see, give me little lungs to breathe.” Therefore, I recommend everyone to visit this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

National Park Una

National Park Una encompasses the canyon area of the upper course of the Una River upstream from Lohovo, then the canyon area of the lower course of the Unac River from its confluence with the Una upstream to the Drvar field, and the interspace between these two rivers and the orographic slopes of Plješevica, Grmeč, and Osječenica. The Una, as the greatest natural value after which the National Park is named, springs in the village of Donja Suvaja beneath Mount Stražbenica in Croatia, but the most beautiful part of the Una River flows through the city of Bihać.

Štrbački Buk

Štrbački Buk, at a height of 24.5 meters, represents the highest and most spectacular waterfall in the National Park. Its existence is linked to the movement of tectonic plates and the formation of travertine deposits. In the 20th century, the area was adorned with watermills that reminded of the stilt houses inhabited by the Japodes. Štrbački Buk has three entrances at Gorjevac, Ćukova, and Orašca. This place is currently one of the most visited locations belonging to the city of Bihać and one of the largest natural attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Martin Brod

This settlement is located about 50 kilometers from the city of Bihać. It is situated at the exit of two canyons and is where the Unac River, as a tributary, flows into the Una. After Štrbački Buk, Milančev Buk is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina, standing at 54 meters. It is also known for the watermills that ground grain on the Una River, which powered around 20 mills that produced flour, while today only a few mills remain operational. Martin Brod is also known for the Orthodox Monastery of Rmanj, which dates back to the 15th century, and its structure is made of Una travertine, making it unique. The monastery was built in 1443 and is dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra.

The Legend of Martin Brod – this legend is tied to a love story in which a girl named Marta fell in love with a curly-haired, dark-faced boy who lived on the other side of the Una River. Marta’s parents were strictly against this love, but love was stronger, and one late evening, in the early hours, Marta decided to cross to the other side of the river… Lifting her skirt, she set off across the bridge to her love, but she slipped on the Una travertine and drowned in the Una River… Her blue maiden hair briefly surfaced on the river, and thus it was named Martin Brod.

Lohovo

At this location, through a leisurely forest walk, you can visit two waterfalls (double and triple), through which a part of the Una River flows.

Old Town Ostrovica

It is located at the site of Kulen Vakuf, about 40 kilometers from the city of Bihać. Ostrovica contains at least three historical layers; the medieval layer dates back to the 15th century on a prehistoric hillfort where the remains of walls have been preserved. The medieval town of Ostrovica was located in the parish of Lapac and belonged to the Karlović family, and during the Middle Ages, it was the most fortified town in the upper course of the Una River. In December 1523, the town fell and was held by the Ottomans until 1878, when the Ottoman authority kept a garrison in it, and it was abandoned in 1878. In 1699, the captaincy belonging to the Kulenović family, known as Haračlije, was mentioned for the first time. The captains remained in Old Ostrovica until after 1791. In front of the main entrance to the town of Ostrovica was their noble court. After losing Lapac and moving the border close to Old Ostrovica, the captain moved his headquarters to Prkose.

Medieval Town Orašac

Located about 30 kilometers from the city of Bihać, Orašac (medieval town) belonged to the Hum parish and, with the arrival of the Ottomans, became part of the Ostrovica captaincy. The Old Town of Orašac was expanded between 1703 and 1730 around an existing medieval tower, 8 meters high, fortified with walls that have partially survived to this day. Most of the town and the mosque, which was at that time within the town walls, were built during the Turkish rule, while today only ruins remain.