Ripac as a settlement offers a combination of history, nature, and cultural heritage, which makes it an interesting destination for tourists who want to explore this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Despite this, even this settlement in Bihac was not spared from the negative trend of migration of the local population. Many locals left their homeland and today live and work in the countries of the European Union (EU).
Ripac settlement near Bihac is located at the entrance to Bihac. Its history goes back many centuries. Archaeological findings were found here that testify to the presence of people as far back as the Roman Empire. During the Middle Ages, Ripac was ruled by various rulers, such as Bosnian kings and Ottoman sultans. The influences of these cultures left their mark on the architecture and cultural heritage of the settlement.
One of the sights of Ripac is the old mosque that dates back to the Ottoman period. The mosque was set on fire during World War II in 1942 by a local Orthodox priest who confessed to the crime. The members of the Ripač Islamic Center have taken it upon themselves to restore this historical monument and restore its significance and role as it once had.
“Mehmed Dupanovic initiated the idea to start the initiative to restore the mosque on the Velika Otoka, in the very historical core of Ripac, 15 years ago. The campaign to clean the foundations of the mosque began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Citizens responded to the campaign, and we cleaned the remains of the former mosque, and the City of Bihac helped with certain funds to start the renovation project, as did the Government of the Una-Sana Canton (USC). After that, funds slowly arrived in the form of donations,” said the president of the Ripac local community, Adil Museta.
The mosque was officially opened at the beginning of August this year.
Ripac is also famous for its nature. Located near the Una River, this region attracts tourists with its beautiful landscapes, forests, and waterways. The Una River is an ideal place for activities such as rafting, canoeing, and fishing. There are also the national parks Una and Plitvice Lakes nearby, which are known for their natural beauty.
Tourism is important for Ripac, with several options for accommodation, from hotels to private apartments. Tourists can explore nature, cycle along numerous trails, enjoy sports activities on the river Una, or visit nearby national parks.
“Most of Ripac rests on the river Una, which is why it has become a tourist destination. Before the war, Lohovo, Racic, and Prascijak were settlements where people lived. Today, they are tourist areas and zones where tourists stay. As for visits, after the COVID-19 pandemic, they are on the rise again, and we can safely say that this season is satisfactory,” Museta emphasized.
He states, however, that as in other local communities, there was an exodus of the population in Ripac.
“Recently, there has been a slight decrease in migration, and this year I have not yet heard of anyone leaving here. We do not have accurate information and records on how many locals have left the settlement, but this can be felt by the drop in the number of students at school. There are about twenty Serbian families in Lohovo, and the local community has about 400 households and 2.160 inhabitants,” Museta stated.
