Jajce - last capital of the Bosnian Kingdom
Photo: Fortuna Trade Tours
Jajce, one of Bosnia’s finest fortified towns, is made all the more photogenic by a ring of urban waterfalls that cascade in front of the old fortress. They say that the town of Jajce is the only town in the world that can boast the fact that has a true gift of nature, a waterfall in the heart of the town. Indeed it is so, the 17-meters-high waterfall plunges into the river Vrbas in the city center, creating unique scenery.
The town is located at the mouth of the rivers Pliva and Vrbas. Especially the Pliva River with its lakes and waterfalls, and an extremely rich cultural and historical heritage, are positively reflected in the overall economic and geographical position of the municipality of Jajce. It is one of the few cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina where the town’s settlement is preserved with all the features of an urban center from the 15th century.
For the first time the town was mentioned in written records in 1396. It was the residence of the powerful duke Hrvoje Vukčić Hrvatinić, who built the fortress with the catacombs. In 1461, the last Bosnian king, Stjepan Tomasevic, was crowned here by delegates of Pope Pius II and Jajce became the last capital of the Bosnian Kingdom. The Ottomans conquered the town in 1527.
However, the pride of Jajce is not just the Pliva Waterfall, there are the Great and the Small Lake, callled Pliva Lakes, only a few kilometers from the center. The area is a paradise for those who love outdoor activities: fishing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, playing volleyball, biking and walking. There are also public barbeque facilities along the lakeside for picnics.
Between two Pliva Lakes there are old mills built in the Middle Ages. It is interesting to note that the old mills were a tourist attraction even in the period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire which used them as a motive for the official card of the Monarchy. The Jajce’s mills on the Pliva River were declared a national monument in 2009.
In the area of Jajce there were registered 22 national monuments. They belong to a period longer than 1,800 years, different civilizations, state organizations, religious and ethnic units, but all have in common cultural affiliation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.na.
If you are interested in exploring Jajce, please send us your inquiry to info@inlandia.com
Interesting Facts about Jajce
In the 14th century, on the hill over the town, was built a fortress with a castle and underground hall called the Catacombs (which is essentially an underground church, crypt) as the last resting place of mighty Duke Hrvatinić and his family. The Catacombs of Jajce are a monument of unique value and importance.
- Mitrha Temple from the early 4th century AD
- Church of St. Mary built in 12th century
- Fortress of Jajce, 14th century
- Leprosarium held by the Franciscans of Jajce
- Church of St. John, 15th century - pilgrimage site
- 20 watermills on Pliva lakes, built in Middle Ages
- In Jajce was executed last Bosnian king in 1463
- In 1527 the town fell to the Ottoman Empire
- 3 Mosques from 17th – 19th century, valuable remains of the Ottoman period
- AVNOJ Museum – memories of Anti-Fascist Council of National Liberation of Yugoslavia held in 1943
- Only city with a natural waterfall in its center (Pliva Waterfall)
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