Five top places to visit in Banja Luka
Here are our Top 5 tips of things to see if you are just transiting through, or as a Teaser for your longer stay in the city or the wider Northern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Banja Luka is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s second largest city, after the capital Sarajevo.
Banja Luka has undergone much reconstruction since the conflict of the 1990’s and is now Bosnia’s most modern and up-and-coming city.
Here are our Top 5 tips of things to see if you are just transiting through, or as a Teaser for your longer stay in the city or the wider Northern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Temple of Christ the Saviour
In the centre of Banja Luka sits The Temple of Christ the Saviour, the biggest and probably the most beautiful temple in the city. This magnificent building was originally built at the beginning of World War 2, just 2 years later on April 12th, 1941, it was destroyed by Nazi Forces assisted by the Ustaša.
At the end of the Second World War (National Liberation War against Fascism), a monument to the People’s Heroes and fallen soldiers was built on the location of the former church.
In 1993 the construction of a new temple started, with the monument to the Peoples Heroes and fallen soldiers relocated to the area adjacent to the Hotel Bosna.
The new temple is created from red and yellow stone from the Middle East called travertine.
All the pillars are of granite and the golden domes were made using Russian technology.
The temple was officially opened in 2004.
It is one the most recognisable symbols of Banja Luka.
Gospodska street and the EARTHQUAKE Memorial Clock
The most famous street in Banja Luka is without a doubt, Gospodska (gentleman’s street). It is the most popular walking route and a place with numerous clothing stores, jewellery and other shops.
At the Trg Krajina end of the street in the main square, is the Memorial Clock.
This clock is mounted on a twisted frame and stuck at
11 minutes past 9.
On the 27th of October 1969 Banja Luka was hit by a terrible earthquake of over 6 degrees Richter.
Many thousands of citizens were made homeless on that day and although extremely tragic, only 15 citizens died. scale.
For this reason, the clock stands here as a memory of that tradegy.
Ferhat Pasha Mosque – The “Ferhadija”
Banja Luka is a very multicultural city.
You will find Orthodox and Catholic Churches and Mosques very close to one another.
In fact, there are few mosques in Bosnia and Herzegovina more impressive as the Ferhadija. Legend says that Ferhad-Pasha Sokolovic, had a desire to build the most amazing mosque, something so big and beautiful, like nothing before or after in this part of the world would ever be.
He did so in 1579.
Sadly the mosque was destroyed during the conflict of the 1990s but after some 25 years was rebuilt.
The Ferhadija was listed as a Bosnia and Herzegovina cultural heritage site in 1950. It was subsequently protected by UNESCO until its destruction in 1993. Today the site, with the mosque's remains, is listed as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Banj Brdo - The monument to fallen Krajina soldiers
The monument to fallen Krajina soldiers, in the War for Liberation (1941-1945) against fascism, is located at the top of the Banj Hill (431 meters high), which dominates Banja Luka.
The hill is roughly 5 kilometers away from the city. The monument is accessed by walking up the hill (which is tarmacked and easy to walk). In the late Spring and summer a month a tourist bus shuttles tourists up and down Ban Brdo.
The monument is 13 meters high and 24 meters long, designed by one of the greatest Yugoslav sculptors and craftsmen of memorial plastic, Antun Augustinčić.
It was erected on the place where, in June 1941, a District conference of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia for Bosanska Krajina was held.
The monument is made from white stone from the island of Brač. It has a unique form, and viewed from afar, it seems like a bullet fired in the direction of the Krajina (Kozara and Grmeč).
The monument was solemnly opened in 1961 and since then it has become a place for visitors from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The monument was visited by Josip Broz “Tito” in 1966 who, before leaving the monument plateau, having looked back, said: “You have chosen a wonderful location for this monument. I think it is the greatest monument in Yugoslavia. When the stone is used to this climate it will look even more beautiful“.
Banski Dvor
Built by Banja Luka’s most important figure, Svetislav Tisa Milosavljevic, The Banski Dvor is the cultural hotspot of the city, a place where young and old congregate to enjoy the city’s best exhibitions and concerts.
The history of the Banski Dvor dates back to 1930 when some of the best architects in the region were asked to make a proposal to build this object. Construction was completed in1932.
As you can clearly see it is one of (if not THE) most beautiful building in the city.
So, these are just 5 things you can see when visiting Banja Luka.
Of course there’s so so so much more to see and experience. But we thought that this might serve as a quick guide and to whet your appetite.
Talking of appetite don’t forget to try the famous Banjalučki Ćevap
As with other cities, just get outside of your comfort zone and talk to the locals.
If you would like to explore more and would like a guide then drop a mail to:
anenglishmaninthebalkans@gmail.com
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