People have struggled for control over Bosnia and Herzegovina for years. It is surrounded by Montenegro, the Adriatic Sea, Serbia, and Croatia. The religious and ethnically diverse country in Europe is a heart-shaped land with gold sand beaches and dense forests.
Let’s dive into some of the fun facts about the Balkan Peninsula country of Southern Europe.
1. Bosnia Has Been Around Since The Neolithic Age
Yes, it’s true. Bosnia has been around since the Neolithic age. The Late Stone Age archaeological site of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the settlement of Butmir. It made it to the maps even before the formation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Between 1377 and 1463, there was a sword-wielding monarch, King Tvrtko I, a famous king of the Kingdom of Bosnia. He established Herceg Novi, which is now a part of Montenegro.
The Ottoman dynasty ruled the country from 1463 until 1878, when it was annexed by Austria-Hungary.
After World War I, the country was a part of the Kingdom of Slovenes, Serbs, and Croats. However, after World War II, the country became a part of the Socialist Federal of Yugoslavia.
2. Bosnia’s Perucica Has The Last Jungle In Europe With 300-Year-Old Trees
The southeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina reveals Europe’s last jungle, the “Perucica Rainforest.” Also known as the “Lungs of Europe,” the Perucica forest is a part of Sutjeska National park, the largest and oldest forest in Bosnia.
Some of the trees in the rainforest are 300 years old and are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
3. Bosnia And Herzegovina Is Famous For Its Wines
The Herzegovina wine region is more famous, with its production near Bosnia and the Adriatic sea. Mostar is one of the famous wine-tasting areas. There are several wineries open for wine tasting in the country.
4. As A Communist Country, Bosnia Hosted The First Ever Winter Olympics
Back in 1984, Bosnia and Herzegovina was known as Sarajevo. The 1984 winter Olympics were the first Winter Olympic Games that took place in a Slavic language-speaking socialist state country.
The games were held in Sarajevo and the surrounding resorts of the Dinaric Alps. Due to poor weather conditions, the races were held late. Over 1200 athletes from 49 countries traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in the Olympics.
5. “Golden Lily” Is The Native Flower Of Bosnia
Lilium bosniacum represents the cultural significance of people who live in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Popularly known as the “Golden Lily,” it is also the national symbol of the country.
It is also used to decorate cakes and wrap papers. Representing both Bosnia and Bosniaks, the heraldic symbol dates back to the 14th century.
6. Bosnia Has A Self-Declared Micro Nation
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Hajduk Republic of Mijat Tomic is a self-proclaimed micro-nation covering the territory between the mountains of Cvrsnica and Vran Blidinje Nature park in western Herzegovina.
7. Bosnia And Herzegovina Has Several Beaches
Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to Europe’s best kept beach secret. With a 22km shoreline of the Adriatic Sea, the country has the second smallest coastline in the world.
If you are planning to visit the country, don’t forget to visit the only coastal city, Neum, at surprising rates.
8. Sarajevo Film Festival Is The Largest And Most Famous Festival In Held In The Entire South East Europe
Sarajevo film festival, which is an international event, first took place in 1995 in the Bosnian capital. Full and short-length films by young directors from Southern and Eastern Europe are screened here, together with independent productions.
The professional platform is the seventh art in the country with an active European council.
9. Bosnian National Anthem Has No Lyrics
The national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the four anthems in the world that has no lyrics.
While there have been several efforts to officially adopt lyrics, the parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina is yet to vote for any of them.
10. Bosnia Has A Mixture Of Catholics, Muslims, Orthodox Christians, And Jewish Residents
Bosnia and Herzegovina has a mixture of several religious and ethnic groups. Bosnaiks, Croats, and Serbs are the most prominent groups. The addition of Jews makes the country a perfect mix of ethnic groups.
The groups were against each other in the 1990s during the Bosnian Civil war. However, each region of the country has a majority presence of one group, which has finally brought peace to the land.
11. Tram Network Of Sarajevo Is The Oldest In Europe
Sarajevo was the first city in Europe in 1885 and the second city around the globe, following San Francisco, to have a fully functional electric tram line network running throughout the city.
12. National Dish of Bosnia and Herzegovina Is Cevapi
One of the popular dishes of Bosnia and Herzegovina is Cevapi. It is an oblong-shaped skinless sausage made of grilled and minced mutton or beef. Traditionally, Cevapi is eaten on a flatbread sandwich with a mix of cold salad and chopped onions.