Blagaj, part of the municipality of Mostar, is a town in Herzegovina. It is famous for its picturesque tekija, a former Dervish monastery built at the source of the Buna river and at the base of a karst formation, atop of which lie the ruins of an ancient fortification occupied in turns by Illyrians, Romans, Hums, and Ottomans.
Full screen map of Blagaj (On tentative list - Bosnia Herzegovina)
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The natural and architectural ensemble of Blagaj (ID: 5280)
Blagaj was certainly the highlight of my trip to Bosnia. It is a sacred Muslim site in an inspiring natural setting. The Dervish Madrasa (perhaps comparable to a Christian monastery) can be visited and is built in the Turkish Baroque style. Most impressive, however, is the the river leading to the cave and the cliff above, covered with a hanging tree. Historically vultures used to nest here. You can eat traditional Bosniak food at one of the many nearby restaurants.
I think this place is a special representation of Bosnian life. On the other hand, its authenticity seems to have been largely compromised.
