Being the crossroads of many civilizations, Bosnia and Herzegovina is rich with archaeological remains, from the Neolithic, Roman, Illyrian and Medieval periods. The most specific and well known are the hand-carved tombstones (stećak) that date back over 700 years to the Middle Ages. These unique monuments of ancient native artistic tradition, which are scattered all around Bosnia and Herzegovina, have become almost a national symbol. In addition, there are numerous remains of medieval towns and castles from same period.
Mostar Old Bridge, in the Old Town in the very centre of Mostar, was built in 1566, by the Ottoman architect, Mimar Hajrudin, who erected this stone bridge in what was then just a small Turkish outpost in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bridge spans the emerald green waters of the Neretva River and came to be known as "Stari Most", or Old Bridge. The outpost grew into a city and was eventually named after the bridge - Mostar, or "keeper of the bridge." Today, this bridge is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. (Read more on : www.unesco.org)
Počitelj is a unique settlement, listed as a potential UNESCO heritage site. The Hadi-Alija Mosque has been reconstructed as well as the Šišman-Ibrahimpašina medresa and the Gavran Kapetanovi house, all of which are open to visitors. The most striking object in Počitelj is the Sahat-kula, a silo-shaped fort that towers from the top of the hill above the town. It housed watchmen and military to guard against possible invasion from the Neretva Valley. Besides its stunning oriental architecture and Ottoman feel, Poitelj hosts the longest operating art colony in South Eastern Europe.
(Read more on : www.bhtourism.ba)
National park Hutovo Blato, an oasis of peace, is situated in southern Herzegovina and is a protected zone and important bird reserve. This unique sub-Mediterranean swamp of superb beauty and importance accommodates birdwatchers, nature lovers and families with children alike.
(Read more on : www.bhtourism.ba)
Međugorje is located in the mountains near Mostar. The small town is incredibly popular with Catholic pilgrims - millions of pilgrims have visited the site since 1981, when a small group of young people in the village began reporting seeing visions of the Virgin Mary on a nearby hillside.
(Read more on: www.medjugorje.hr)
Perućica in Sutjeska National Park, is one of only two remaining mediaeval forests in Europe. It is often described as an ancient outdoor museum with a magical forest of beautiful 50-meter high spruce and beech, 200 to 300 year old, trees. The forest is a true gem in terms of wildlife and the large number of endemic plants. (Read more on : www.greenvisions.ba)
Blagaj Buna is one of the finest examples of an underground karst river. It flows out of a 200 m cliff wall to become the Buna River. Unsurprisingly, the Ottoman sultan was impressed, and ordered a tekija to be built right next to it. This 16th century house/monastery was built for the Dervish cults and is still one of the most mystical places in all of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(Read more on: www.bhtourism.ba)
Rakitnica River Canyon is one of the deepest and most profound gorges in Europe. It is a natural wonderland. The entire length of the canyon is lined with endemic types of flora and fauna. Bears, wolves, wild boar, pine martins, and wild goats all take refuge in this difficult to access canyon. As many as 32 endemic plants, flowers, and trees can be found in this tiny region of the Dinaric Alps. The crystal clear water, fed by the high mountains above, is potable width=100% for the whole length of the canyon region.
(Read more on : www.bhtourism.ba)
Vjetrenica Caves, near the small town of Ravno and the medieval orthodox monastery of Zavala is the largest cave system discovered in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This extensive cave system has over 6 kilometres of channels, and the stunning main channel stretches over 2.5 kilometres.Amongst the many archeological discoveries are the ancient cave drawings of bears and leopards that are estimated to be over 10,000 years old. The many small lakes in the caves are home to endemic types of shellfish only found in deep underground aquifer systems.
(Read more on : www.bhtourism.ba)
Archaeological excavations began recently near Sarajevo in the Visoko Valley at what some believe to be a newly discovered pyramid complex, the first such monumental ancient structures found in Europe. In 2005, Semir Osmanagić put forward his theory that a 100-meter geometrically-shaped hill with evenly shaped sides and corners that point north, south, east and west is an ancient man-made structure.
(Read more on : www.piramidasunca.ba)