In the tapestry of Bihać's history, the parish unfolds its story, rooted in the ancient soil since the 13th century. Picture a medieval Bihać adorned with six or seven churches — St. Anthony, St. Elizabeth, St. Mary, St. Lucy, St. James, Holy Spirit, and St. Mary Magdalene.

Traveling to the mid-17th century, the Bihać parish takes center stage, its church weathered by time. It fades into the shadows during the tumultuous Vienna War (1683 - 1699), reappearing only in the echoes of 1741. Then, a whisper in 1768 speaks of a humble mission, tended to by a devoted priest. The parish records begin their tale in 1771.

The 19th century dawns with a parish priest's dream to build on the sacred land of Križ. Yet, Ottoman authority forbids the dream's realization. It takes the breath of freedom in 1885 to see the construction of the parish church, standing proud in 1891. Bombed in 1943, it endured, a testament to resilience. The current octagonal beauty, crowned with a bell tower, rose from the ashes in 1972.

The parish house, a silent witness to centuries, took form in 1900 and, with each passing year, stands as a sanctuary.

The Franciscans, custodians of faith, danced on the edges of Bihać's embrace. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, their dwelling whispers in the winds of Kralje; by the 1840s, it finds solace in Vedro Polje. The priest's steps ascend Križ's hill in 1855, where a home blooms in 1860.

Now, cast your gaze to the sisters of devotion. Since August 24, 1894, the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ have graced Bihać. Their convent of St. Joseph, a sanctuary of faith and knowledge, echoes with a story of service. World War II shadows their school, a beacon of enlightenment, nationalized post-war but resilient in purpose.

In 1991, the Bihać parish, a living testament to time, counted 3,620 faithful hearts (1974: 4,200). Today, its embrace shelters 2,961, a community eternally intertwined with the vibrant threads of Bihać's narrative.

Crkva sv. Ante Padovanski

Šerefudin's White Mosque has great architectural importance for the city and its surroundings. The architect of the mosque is Zlatko Ugljen. It was first built in 1477, and its current appearance is the result of a complete reconstruction carried out in 1980. The most important award came in 1983, when Zlatko Ugljen's work received the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Experts awarded the Šerefuddin mosque for its striking appearance, creativity, and brilliance, as well as its originality and new approaches to construction. In 2007, it received another important recognition from the Hungarian Society of Architects, who evaluated the White Mosque in Visoko as one of the three best-designed sacred spaces in Europe.

Šerefudin’s White Mosque

Nestled within the tranquil landscapes of Krajina, Ostrožac stands as a captivating testament to the medieval legacy that has shaped this picturesque region. Amidst the well-preserved remnants of ancient fortresses and towns, Ostrožac emerges as a jewel, embodying a rich history of adaptation and refinement.

Dating back to at least 1286, Ostrožac's historical roots run deep. While some suggest an even earlier existence around 405 BCE under names like Horosium or Hostosach, historical evidence remains elusive.

Throughout the 15th century, Ostrožac thrived with its own judiciary, council, scribe, and seal. However, in 1577, the town fell under Ottoman rule, marking a shift in its narrative. Noteworthy among its custodians was Osman aga Beširević (1690 - 1727), the pioneering captain of the Ostrožac captaincy, who played a pivotal role in the fortress's repair and expansion.

As the 16th century drew to a close, the captaincy housed 150 residents, a number that grew to 204 in the mid-17th century and further expanded to 266 by the 18th century, complete with two large and four small cannons for defense. Ostrožac, at the start of the 19th century, boasted an arsenal of 28 cannons and a substantial garrison of 4150 soldiers.

With the advent of Austro-Hungarian rule, a new era dawned for Ostrožac. The Beširević family relinquished control to Lothar von Berks, the chief of the Bihać District from 1896 to 1905. Von Berks continued the legacy of restoration and expansion, taking up residence within the castle's walls in 1902.

In 1969, a transformative initiative unfolded with the establishment of the Sculptors' Colony "Ostrožac," catalyzing a contemporary chapter for the ancient fortress. Perched above the Una River, this open-air studio has become a haven for sculptors, carving expressions from the local bihacite stone during the summer months.

The legacy of the Sculptors' Colony endures in the creation of the Sculpture Park, an open-air gallery that graces Ostrožac with a unique blend of history and contemporary artistic expression. Today, Ostrožac stands not merely as a relic of the past but as a living canvas, where history, art, and nature intertwine in captivating harmony.

Ostrožac Castle

The Old Mosque in Goduša is an impressive architectural masterpiece that holds great significance for Bosnia and Herzegovina's history and culture. The mosque was commissioned by Mahmut-beg, a prominent Bosniak nobleman and governor of Bosnia during the mid-16th century. It is believed that the mosque was built in 1565/66 on an elevated site above the old town of Goduša, and was made from stone with a simple, austere design that reflects the religious values of the time. The mosque has undergone several renovations and restorations over the years, with the most recent restoration taking place in 2002. Throughout these restorations, great care has been taken to preserve the mosque's original features and materials, maintaining its architectural and historical significance.
The Old Mosque in Goduša is also an important cultural and religious site for the local community. It serves as a symbol of the region's rich cultural heritage and is still used for daily prayers and special religious events. Additionally, the mosque's surrounding harem contains small tombstones that are still active and a sand clock that accurately indicated the time.

During the Ottoman period, the area around the mosque was used as part of the "Sarajevo Road," a trade route for transporting goods. In the immediate vicinity, there was also a Turkish inn, which suggests that the mosque served as a place of prayer for both travelers and local residents during this time.

Despite being located on the front line during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Old Mosque in Goduša sustained only minor damage. This enduring testament to the mosque's strength and resilience serves as a reminder of the important role it has played in the history and culture of the region.

Old mosque with harem in Goduša

Perched majestically atop a steep hill, the Old Fortress of Ostrovica commands a panoramic view over the left bank of the upper Una River, near the quaint settlement of Ostrovica, not far from Kulen Vakuf in the municipality of Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

With origins tracing back to the 15th century, Ostrovica is documented as the property of the esteemed Croatian noble family Kurjaković. Built upon foundations that likely date back to antiquity, this medieval stronghold was situated within the Croatian district of Lapac. Over the centuries, its ownership transitioned from the Kurjaković family to the Frankopans, Juraj Mikulčić, Ivan Keglević, and eventually to the Kulenović family after the Ottoman conquest.

The Ottoman conquest in 1463 heightened pressures on Croatian territories, leading to the capture of Ostrovica in December 1523. It was subsequently incorporated into the Bosnian Pashaluk, remaining under Ottoman rule until 1878 when it passed into the hands of the Habsburg Monarchy. During the Ottoman era, Ostrovica underwent strategic expansions and fortifications, serving as both a stronghold and a residence for military garrisons. Initially commanded by a dizdar in the 16th and 17th centuries, the leadership later transitioned to a captain from the late 17th century onwards, establishing Ostrovica as the central seat of the Captaincy of Stara Ostrovica. This captaincy encompassed additional smaller fortifications such as Orašac, Havala, Džisri-kebir (present-day Kulen Vakuf), Čovka, and Donji Lapac. The prestigious role of captaincy was often held by members of the influential Bosnian beg family, the Kulenovićs. However, as geopolitical dynamics shifted and Donji Lapac fell under Habsburg rule, the captaincy's headquarters were strategically relocated to the fortress of Prkose.

The walls of the Ostrovica fortress underwent substantial expansion and fortification during pivotal periods, notably in the early 17th century during Sultan Ahmed I's reign and further enhancements in the 18th century, ultimately assuming their present dimensions of 117 meters in length and 83 meters in width. This historic bastion stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Ostrovica, where layers of history unfold amidst its formidable walls and commanding vantage point.

Ostrovica

The Tabhanska Mosque, which is located in the heart of Visoko, was designated a national monument in 2003. It is believed that tanners constructed it sometime in the 17th century. Throughout history, the original mosque suffered numerous damages, notably from fires and floods. The Project of Reconstruction, Restoration and Conservation of the Mosque, 2005-2008, was put into effect when it was designated a national monument. In addition to the mosque, a tiny harem that houses the burials of agas, ulemmas, and dervishes was designated as a national monument.

Tabhanska Mosque

Discover the unique Tabačka Stupa in Visoko, the only preserved tanner's column in the Balkans, a symbol of the town's deep-rooted history in leather craftsmanship. This remarkable structure, dating back to the 14th century, marks Visoko's centuries-old connection with leather processing. Owned by the Zavičajni Muzej Visoko, it proudly stands in the city center as a fascinating exhibit. The Tabačka Stupa, essential in the traditional leather tanning process, operated on water power along the Fojnica River, utilizing natural tanning materials like sumac leaves, bark, and oak galls. This process was crucial in creating soft sheep and goat leathers as well as tougher cow hides. Historically, Visoko's leather tanning tradition possibly originated from North Africa or was brought by the Budimlije from Hungary. The Ottoman Empire further developed it into a strategic industry. Visoko, renowned for its related crafts like shoemaking and leather goods, transitioned from traditional to industrial leather processing post-World War II. Today, Tabačka Stupa stands as a testament to these enduring crafts and traditions, a must-visit for those intrigued by the rich cultural and industrial heritage of Visoko and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tanner's Mortar

In the oldest part of Visoko is the Hadži-Ibrahimova or Pertačka mosque, which, together with the Šerefuddin-Bijela mosque, is among the first built mosques under Ottoman rule in the area of Visoko. It is assumed that the Pertačka mosque was built in the 15th century, most likely in 1477. It was built in the immediate vicinity of the marketplace, namely the Sebilj market. Over the centuries, the mosque was damaged, which was the reason for the detailed reconstruction in 2001. The original structure of the Pertačka mosque, before the last reconstruction, was simple, with thick stone walls and a stone minaret leaning on the right side. The minaret is particularly interesting, as it was built of travertine, a stone that was most likely extracted from the nearby river Fojnica, which is a unique example in Visoko.

Pertačka Mosque

Pertačka Mosque in Visoko is a remarkable historical site, beautifully blending Ottoman architecture with modern restoration. Dating back to 1477, its unique stone minaret and thick walls narrate centuries of history. Located near the Sebilj marketplace, it offers a serene atmosphere, making it a must-visit for those keen to explore the rich cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The mosque stands as a testament to Visoko's enduring legacy and is a jewel in the town's historical tapestry.

A Timeless Jewel of Visoko: Pertačka Mosque

Orthodox church of St. Procopius - The church of St. Procopius, a national landmark, is situated at the base of the hill Grad or Visoica. The actual date of the structure cannot be determined with certainty because all records regarding the church building, documents, and archives were destroyed in a fire in 1941. The information that is available indicates that there was a school close to the church that started operating around 1840 at the home of self-described Jove Aslivara instructor. Built in 1875, the school building remained in use until 1914. The church has had renovations throughout its history, with the most recent being in 1998. One of the most well-known and substantial collections of icons in Bosnia and Herzegovina is found in the Church of St. Prokopija in Visoko. The earliest icon dates back to the XV century and was created in a Byzantine iconographic text. The church's library and archives are housed in the space above the Diacanicon. The library has about 200 different editions, most of which are religious editions like clerks and others. There are also some history-related books and different publications. The earliest book dates back to 1880. Partially preserved in the church is disorganized ecclesiastical archival material. The Kakanj priest Miroslav Vuji took some of the content.