The natural and architectural ensemble of Jajce

15 have years passed since the war has come to an end, but Bosnia-Hertzegovina is still a divided country. Though very small, traveling from one end to the other one can feel the enormous difference in wealth, development and even mentality. For centuries the country was a kind of patchwork Serbs, Croats and Muslims, lived together in peace in one village. Now – after the war – most of them still cannot cross the border of his community – though borders within the country are now spiritual.

Jajce is a victim of this division. Could be an attraction on its own right, but –being on the wrong side of the spiritual and administrative border – does not really attract anybody. Could be a highlight of any tour to the region – not Mostar of course, but comparable to Pocitelj or any Croatian town, but being in the Republika Srpska the tourist industry is seemingly not aware of its existence.

For me it was undoubted, that I want to see Jajce, even if it is not attractive at all. The fortress of Jajce for a Hungarian who knows the history of his nation is a symbol of our (long gone) supremacy on the Balkans, and the place where the troops of our last great king, Matthias “the Righteous” defeated the Turks. For fifty years Hungarian viceroys governed what is now Bosnia from this citadel.

To reach Jajce either from Croatia (e. g. Plitvice Lakes N P), or from Sarajevo (via Travnik) …