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Attractions of Herzegovina

If you've already had the opportunity to explore Ljubuški and want to get better acquainted with its surroundings, here you will find landmarks along with information on how to reach them. From short trips to full-day journeys, you'll certainly discover attractions that will make your stay even more enjoyable.

Međugorje (22 km)

Međugorje is a settlement in western Herzegovina, about 11 kilometers away from Ljubuški. It is the main spiritual center in the region and the second largest Catholic pilgrimage site in the world. It is famous for the apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Many Catholics come to this place because they believe that the Virgin Mary appeared to six teenagers on June 24, 1981. If you decide to visit Međugorje, make sure to visit Apparition Hill (Brdo Ukazanja), Cross Mountain (Križevac), and the Church of St. James (crkva svetog Jakova).

Međugorje is a settlement in western Herzegovina, about 11 kilometers away from Ljubuški. It is the main spiritual center in the region and the second largest Catholic pilgrimage site in the world. It is famous for the apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Many Catholics come to this place because they believe that the Virgin Mary appeared to six teenagers on June 24, 1981. If you decide to visit Međugorje, make sure to visit Apparition Hill (Brdo Ukazanja), Cross Mountain (Križevac), and the Church of St. James (crkva svetog Jakova).

Počitelj (31 km)

Počitelj is a settlement in the municipality of Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a historically significant oriental-Mediterranean style settlement located in the valley of the Neretva River, and it is one of the most beautiful cultural and historical complexes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Počitelj features a fortress dating back to the Middle Ages and is situated on the left bank of the Neretva River near Čapljina. The fortress protected the entrance to the lower Neretva valley on the route from Drijeva to Bišće. The first mention of Počitelj is found in a charter for Duke Stjepan Vukčić in 1444. In 2007, Počitelj was nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Počitelj is a settlement in the municipality of Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a historically significant oriental-Mediterranean style settlement located in the valley of the Neretva River, and it is one of the most beautiful cultural and historical complexes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Počitelj features a fortress dating back to the Middle Ages and is situated on the left bank of the Neretva River near Čapljina. The fortress protected the entrance to the lower Neretva valley on the route from Drijeva to Bišće. The first mention of Počitelj is found in a charter for Duke Stjepan Vukčić in 1444. In 2007, Počitelj was nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Old Town Stolac (50 km)

Old Town Stolac (Vidoški grad) covers an area of 20,503 square meters, making it one of the largest forts in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the 17th century, it had thirteen towers and was one of the best-fortified towns in Herzegovina. Remains of late antique construction have been found on the north side of the town. The main structure of the walls consists of layers of walls built using the opus incertum construction technique, typical for the 4th century in this region. The layout of this late antique fortress exhibits elements of Greek architecture in the Hellenistic tradition.

Old Town Stolac (Vidoški grad) covers an area of 20,503 square meters, making it one of the largest forts in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the 17th century, it had thirteen towers and was one of the best-fortified towns in Herzegovina. Remains of late antique construction have been found on the north side of the town. The main structure of the walls consists of layers of walls built using the opus incertum construction technique, typical for the 4th century in this region. The layout of this late antique fortress exhibits elements of Greek architecture in the Hellenistic tradition.

The Old Bridge in Mostar (46 km)

The Old Bridge in Mostar, which spans the Neretva River, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that, when it was built, was the largest arch bridge in the world. It was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1566 and designed by the architect Mimar Hayruddin. The bridge stood strong for 427 years until it was destroyed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1993. It was reconstructed after the war and re-opened to the public on July 23, 2004.

The Old Bridge in Mostar, which spans the Neretva River, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that, when it was built, was the largest arch bridge in the world. It was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1566 and designed by the architect Mimar Hayruddin. The bridge stood strong for 427 years until it was destroyed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1993. It was reconstructed after the war and re-opened to the public on July 23, 2004.

Blagaj (48 km)

Blagaj is a settlement within the municipality of Mostar. Below the settlement lies the source of the Buna River, which is the largest karst spring in Europe (Vrelo Bune). Adjacent to it is the famous Sufi monastery (Tekke), and in its vicinity are the prehistoric site Zelena pećina, fish farms, restaurants, and a 15th-century castle. Within the village itself, numerous buildings have been declared national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On November 12, 2007, the Commission to Preserve National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina nominated Blagaj for inclusion on UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites in Europe.

Blagaj is a settlement within the municipality of Mostar. Below the settlement lies the source of the Buna River, which is the largest karst spring in Europe (Vrelo Bune). Adjacent to it is the famous Sufi monastery (Tekke), and in its vicinity are the prehistoric site Zelena pećina, fish farms, restaurants, and a 15th-century castle. Within the village itself, numerous buildings have been declared national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On November 12, 2007, the Commission to Preserve National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina nominated Blagaj for inclusion on UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites in Europe.

Vjetrenica Cave (85 km)

Vjetrenica Cave is the largest and most important cave in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one of the most significant caves in the Dinaric Mountain range, renowned worldwide for its karst and speleological richness. It is located in the area of Popovo Polje near the town of Ravno in southeastern Herzegovina. Vjetrenica is the richest cave in the world in terms of underground biodiversity. Among over two hundred different species recorded inside, a large number are narrowly endemic, with 15 being stenoendemic, and approximately 37 species have been discovered and described in Vjetrenica for the first time. It has been a protected natural monument since 1950.

Vjetrenica Cave is the largest and most important cave in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one of the most significant caves in the Dinaric Mountain range, renowned worldwide for its karst and speleological richness. It is located in the area of Popovo Polje near the town of Ravno in southeastern Herzegovina. Vjetrenica is the richest cave in the world in terms of underground biodiversity. Among over two hundred different species recorded inside, a large number are narrowly endemic, with 15 being stenoendemic, and approximately 37 species have been discovered and described in Vjetrenica for the first time. It has been a protected natural monument since 1950.

Blidinje Nature Park (72 km)

Blidinje Nature Park covers a vast area, encompassing the mountains Čvrsnica, Čabulja, and Vran. This park is a unique natural phenomenon, home to many endemic species of flora and fauna and abundant sources of clean, drinkable water. It is renowned for being one of the largest habitats of the endemic species of white pine. The park derives its name from Lake Blidinje, located in a place called Dugo Polje at an altitude of 1184 meters above sea level. Besides the lake, the most famous attractions of this special park include rich archaeological sites, notably the necropolis with 150 medieval tombstones (known as “stećci)” in Dugo Polje, which was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in January 2004. During winter, visitors can enjoy skiing in the modern ski resort within the park, making it a favorite destination for visitors from Herzegovina and Dalmatia.

Blidinje Nature Park covers a vast area, encompassing the mountains Čvrsnica, Čabulja, and Vran. This park is a unique natural phenomenon, home to many endemic species of flora and fauna and abundant sources of clean, drinkable water. It is renowned for being one of the largest habitats of the endemic species of white pine. The park derives its name from Lake Blidinje, located in a place called Dugo Polje at an altitude of 1184 meters above sea level. Besides the lake, the most famous attractions of this special park include rich archaeological sites, notably the necropolis with 150 medieval tombstones (known as “stećci)” in Dugo Polje, which was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in January 2004. During winter, visitors can enjoy skiing in the modern ski resort within the park, making it a favorite destination for visitors from Herzegovina and Dalmatia.

Hutovo blato Nature Park (41 km)

In southern Herzegovina, in a typical karst landscape, to the left of the Neretva River, lies Hutovo Blato, a unique sub-Mediterranean marsh in Europe. Known since ancient times as a green oasis, it abounds in water where a large number of plant and animal species have found living conditions. The marsh is interesting and significant from ornithological, ichthyological, scientific, ecological, and tourist perspectives. Hutovo Blato is considered one of the largest bird wintering grounds in Europe. Geographically, Hutovo Blato belongs to the municipalities of Čapljina and Stolac, spanning marshy, flat, and hilly terrain, with elevations ranging from 1 meter to 432 meters above sea level.

In southern Herzegovina, in a typical karst landscape, to the left of the Neretva River, lies Hutovo Blato, a unique sub-Mediterranean marsh in Europe. Known since ancient times as a green oasis, it abounds in water where a large number of plant and animal species have found living conditions. The marsh is interesting and significant from ornithological, ichthyological, scientific, ecological, and tourist perspectives. Hutovo Blato is considered one of the largest bird wintering grounds in Europe. Geographically, Hutovo Blato belongs to the municipalities of Čapljina and Stolac, spanning marshy, flat, and hilly terrain, with elevations ranging from 1 meter to 432 meters above sea level.

The bazaar with Sultan Suleiman’s Mosque (48 km)

The mosque in Blagaj is named after the greatest Ottoman sultan. It is the largest of the old Herzegovinian mosques. It was originally built under a dome, which was replaced by a tent roof during reconstruction in the 19th century. The mosque was built in 1519 or 1520 and is considered one of the oldest mosques of Sultan Suleiman.

The mosque in Blagaj is named after the greatest Ottoman sultan. It is the largest of the old Herzegovinian mosques. It was originally built under a dome, which was replaced by a tent roof during reconstruction in the 19th century. The mosque was built in 1519 or 1520 and is considered one of the oldest mosques of Sultan Suleiman.

Apparition Hill (25 km)

The place of the first apparitions of Our Lady, a few hundred meters above the Bijakovići hamlet of Podbrdo, is now called Apparition Hill. Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to six children for the first time on June 24, 1981. According to the unanimous testimony of the visionaries, Mary conveys messages of peace, love, faith, fasting, prayer, and conversion to the faithful through them. Every pilgrim visits the parish church of St. James located in the center of the town, Apparition Hill in Bijakovići - the place where Our Lady first appeared, Cross Mountain (Križevac) with a large Cross from 1993, the Garden of St. Francis, Mother's Village, and the Cenacolo Community.

Mjesto prvih Gospinih ukazanja, nekoliko stotina metara iznad bijakovićkog zaseoka Podbrdo, danas se naziva Brdo Ukazanja. Blažena Marija Djevica se ukazala djeci prvi put, njih šestero 24. 06. 1981. Po jednodušnom svjedočanstvu vidjelaca, Gospa preko njih prenosi vjernicima poruke mira, ljubavi, vjere, posta, molitve i obraćenja. Svaki hodočasnik posjeti župnu crkvu sv. Jakova koja se nalazi u središtu mjesta, Brdo ukazanja u Bijakovićima – mjesto na kojemu se prvi put ukazala Gospa, Križevac brdo na kojemu se nalazi veliki Križ iz 1993. godine., Vrt sv. Franje, Majčine selo i Zajednica Cenacolo.

Buško Lake (76 km)

Buško Lake (formerly Buško Blato) is a reservoir that extends into the Livanjsko Polje. It is located at an elevation of 716 meters above sea level. It covers an area of 55.8 square kilometers and reaches depths of up to 17 meters. The total volume is 782 million cubic meters. Two-thirds of the lake's surface area is located in the municipality of Tomislavgrad, while one-third is in the municipality of Livno.

Buško Lake (formerly Buško Blato) is a reservoir that extends into the Livanjsko Polje. It is located at an elevation of 716 meters above sea level. It covers an area of 55.8 square kilometers and reaches depths of up to 17 meters. The total volume is 782 million cubic meters. Two-thirds of the lake's surface area is located in the municipality of Tomislavgrad, while one-third is in the municipality of Livno.

Buna River (43 km)

The Buna River is a river in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a left tributary of the Neretva River, where it flows into it approximately 15 km downstream from Mostar, at the place called Buna. It is 9 km long and has two tributaries: Posrt, which is an intermittent tributary that flows only in winter, and Bunica, which is a permanent tributary joining Buna north of the town of Buna. The river is very rich in water, with a flow rate of 43 m3/s at its source, making it one of the strongest springs in Europe.

The Buna River is a river in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a left tributary of the Neretva River, where it flows into it approximately 15 km downstream from Mostar, at the place called Buna. It is 9 km long and has two tributaries: Posrt, which is an intermittent tributary that flows only in winter, and Bunica, which is a permanent tributary joining Buna north of the town of Buna. The river is very rich in water, with a flow rate of 43 m3/s at its source, making it one of the strongest springs in Europe.