[wzslider autoplay=”true”]It may be the Hercegovinan part of me talking, but i LOVE this part of the country. The green landscapes are replaced by rocky hills. Mostar, Pocitelj, Kravice, Trebinje (my birthplace), Stolac and this beauty; Blagaj. It is truly a gem, yet not many tourists know about this place, making it the perfect getaway from busy Mostar. It is about 12 kilometres from Mostar, yellow buses can take you there or a taxi for about 15km. Ive been to this little piece of heaven 3 times, and even though im not religious you cant help feel spiritual when you are around places like these.
Blagaj is a village-town in the south-eastern region of the Mostar basin. The town was most likely named for its mild weather patterns since “blaga” in Bosnian means “mild”. Blagaj is situated at the spring of the Buna river and a historical tekke (tekija or Dervish monastery).
The Blagaj Tekija was built into the 200 metre cliff walls at around in the 1500’s, with elements of Ottoman architecture and Mediterranean style.This dervish monastery with Turkish style elements is the only one in BIH and therefore a national monument. The monastery consisted of various buildings but over the time not all of them survived. The Turkish bath had a heated floor and a transparent dome. The house tour is self guided and depicts how life was like many years ago.
As Bosnia is a Islamic country you are expected to cover up. For men long pants, and women also a head scarf. If you are not prepared, don’t worry they have wrap skirts and scarves provided at the entrance.
The source of the river Buna is one of largest in Europe and it boasts an average of 40,000 litres of water per minute.
On the right side of the source you can pay 3 marks and hire the boat to take you into the Zelena Pecina (green cave). Usually there’s two guides who tell you a short history of the place. The boat ride is short but worth it. Inside it is a lot cooler and darker and home to many pigeons. Ancient human remains have been found in high caves so this area has been inhabited for at least 12,000 years!. In the corner of the cave is where the water is the deepest. I believe the girl said it goes down 30 meters. Me being a not so strong swimmer in depths like that hung on the boat sides pretty tightly.
There is also a eco center near by where you can ride donkeys, hire a canoe, kids playground and other nature activities.
Written by Ariana
