15 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Bosnia and
Herzegovina
1. Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to the Stari Most (Old Bridge) in
Mostar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This iconic Ottoman-era bridge was
destroyed during the Bosnian War and meticulously rebuilt in 2004.
2. Sarajevo, the capital, is often called the "Jerusalem of Europe" due to its
rich history of religious diversity, with mosques, synagogues, Catholic
churches, and Orthodox churches all within close proximity.
3. Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo,
making it the first socialist country to host the event.
4. The Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun, near Visoko, is claimed by some to be
the oldest and largest pyramid in the world, though its origins remain a
topic of debate among archaeologists.
5. Bosnia and Herzegovina has one of the last remaining primeval forests
in Europe, Peručica, located within the Sutjeska National Park.
6. Coffee culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a deeply rooted tradition,
with *Bosanska kafa* (Bosnian coffee) served in a džezva (traditional
coffee pot) and often accompanied by a cube of sugar or a piece of Turkish
delight.
7. The country is known for its stećci, medieval tombstones that are
intricately decorated and found scattered throughout the countryside.
They are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
8. The Srebrenica-Potočari Memorial Center commemorates the victims of
the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, one of the most tragic events in modern
European history.
9. Bosnia and Herzegovina has an unusual political system, with three
presidents representing the Bosniak, Croat, and Serb ethnic groups,
rotating every eight months.
10. The Drina River, which runs through the country, inspired Nobel
laureate Ivo Andrić’s novel *The Bridge on the Drina*, a classic of world
literature.
11. The Trebinje region is famous for its wine production, particularly
Vranac and Žilavka, which are becoming increasingly popular
internationally.
12. Cevapi, small grilled sausages typically served with flatbread and raw
onions, are a national dish and a staple of Bosnian cuisine.
13. The Sarajevo Tunnel, also known as the Tunnel of Hope, was a lifeline
for the besieged city during the Bosnian War, allowing the transport of
food, medicine, and supplies.
14. Bosnia and Herzegovina has an abundance of natural hot springs and
thermal spas, making it a popular destination for wellness tourism.
15. The country is one of the few places in the world where wild horses
roam freely, particularly in the Krug plateau near Livno.
