Bosnia and Herzegovina

Country Profile: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Currency: Convertible Mark ($1 = ~1.6 Marks check for changes)

Language: Bosanski

Visa Required?: A valid passport is required for Americans.  Check here for your country.

Most Visited Cities: Sarajevo, Mostar

Famous Landmark: Mostar Bridge

National Train or Bus: Buses are the most popular method for getting around.  You just need to show up at a bus station to get a ticket.

Random Fact: At least 50% of the population in Bosnia professes Islam because of this some of the locals draw strong ties to Turkey earning a local title of ‘little Istanbul’ in referring to Sarajevo.

Overview: When most people hear the name Bosnia, certain remembrances come to mind.  Despite its reputation, Bosnia has been one of the more interesting places that I have been.  One reason is because I enjoy history, another because I enjoy going to less traveled places.

Before going to Bosnia, Germany in my mind was the place that I had visited with the most “tangible” history.  I say tangible meaning that it is not difficult for you to use your imagination and see things happening.  Unlike more ancient history where there are a lot of unknown factors left up to the imagination.  Bosnia, as you may well know, has only recently become an open country in the grand scheme of things.  The nation of Bosnia emerged at the collapse of the former Yugoslavia.  The cost was quite high as the death toll surged.

You can still see many indications of times past, and for this I recommend visiting.  Sarajevo has been at a crossroads culturally for some time now.  Around half of the population practices Islam, while the other half is generally strict orthodox christians, which makes for an interesting combination.  Bosnia can be called little Turkey for its cultural similarity.  Sarajevo was also important during WWI and the Balkan War.

Bosnia is not a crazy party place, so one should not go with the assumption, but rather it is more like a place to visit to learn and experience something different.  Effectively, to learn lessons from the past.

How to get around?

As I mentioned before, Bosnia is best trekked by bus.  The busses are quite inexpensive and the major cities of Bosnia can be reached by outside countries.  Check the bus links at the bottom for a detailed bus schedule and an idea of costs from surrounding countries.

Crossing the Bosnia Border.  What was it like?

For me, it was very easy.  The officer got on the bus, checked our passports, and let us go on our way.

What to do in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

  1. Walk the old bridge in Mostar
  2. Visit the snipers tower in Mostar
  3. Walk the Turkish district in Sarajevo
  4. Visit the old olympic park in Sarajevo
  5. Walk around Mostar to witness the damage from the war
  6. Go to the site of Archduke Ferdinand’s death site (dubbed to be the beginning of WWI)

Additional links:

Bosnian Bus Company – Centrotrans

Bosnian Bus Schedule – Click here

Bosnian Tourism – Tourism Website

2 comments

  1. perestroikazdyes

    Good stuff!

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