Several significant projects are planned for implementation in the Old Town of Ostrošac this year, for which financial resources have already been secured. Their goal is to improve the tourist offer, preserve cultural heritage and create better conditions for visitors.
The Old Town of Ostrožac, located on a rock that dominates the Una canyon at about 379 meters above sea level, is one of the symbols of the Bosanska Krajina and is certainly one of the most famous old towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It is a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a rich and diverse past through whose history various cultures, ideologies and religions are intertwined. It consists of a medieval fortress, a fortress from the Ottoman period, the Lothar von Berks castle and a collection of sculptures. Although it represents a very significant cultural and historical heritage, this monument that connects the history of Bosnia and Croatia is in very poor condition and needs urgent reconstruction. The walls around the town are collapsing and overgrown, the castle is also in poor condition, and that is why the announcement of imminent works on the reconstruction of this national monument is encouraging.
Lothar von Berks’s castle, built in the neo-Gothic style, is the only preserved castle in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was luxuriously furnished with a large number of rooms, including a library, as well as a music room.
One of the projects for improving this site, the implementation of which is nearing completion, is the installation of an ecological sanitary facility. The funds were provided through the Ministry of Construction, Spatial Planning and Environmental Protection of the Una-Sana Canton.
“The procedure is fully completed. The contractor has installed an ecological septic tank, and all that remains is to install a container with already prepared equipment. This year, visitors will have toilets available outside the walls of the Old Town, which will raise the level of hygiene and service,” Ermin Beganović, director of the Public Institution Center for Culture and Tourism Cazin, which manages this historical site, told Fena news agency.
In addition, two additional container units will be purchased as part of the second project.
“One unit will be a souvenir shop and ticket office, while the other will serve as a cafe-bar. This will allow the catering facility in the Old Town to operate year-round,” adds Beganović.
In addition to infrastructure improvements, special focus has been placed on the preparation of project and technical documentation for the renovation of parts of the Old Town.
“We currently have a main reconstruction project for the Lothar Von Berks Castle, while such documentation is missing for other parts, which is a key prerequisite for reconstruction and renovation. The project is planned to be completed this year,” emphasized Beganović.
A public call for archaeological research in the medieval part of this historical site is also planned for the beginning of this year.
“This will be the first archaeological research at this site. They are a prerequisite for the renovation and reconstruction of the oldest part of the Old Town. The value of the project is around 120,000 BAM,” emphasizes Beganović.
100,000 BAM has been secured for the renovation of the Captain’s Tower through the “Krajina Heritage Trail” project. Also, a significant renovation project for the Lothar Von Berks Castle, worth more than four million BAM, is being led by the Cazin City Administration.
“This public call is in its final phase, and we expect the works to start soon,” said Beganović.
Tourism data for the past year indicate an increase in the number of visits to this tourist gem. According to the director of the Center, the number of overnight stays in the Cazin area increased by 2,000 compared to the previous year, while the Old Town of Ostrožac was visited by about 20,000 tourists.
In addition to the aforementioned projects, a memorandum was signed with Halik Studio from Bihać for the production of original souvenirs.
“We will organize workshops for making souvenirs, and visitors will have a rich selection of handicrafts with motifs of the Old Town of Ostrožac in the new souvenir shop,” concluded Beganović.
The aforementioned projects confirm the continuous work on the preservation and improvement of this cultural and historical gem, which is one of the most important tourist sites in the Una-Sana Canton, emphasized the Center for Culture and Tourism of the City of Cazin, Fena writes.
