Picked up the car at 8.30am with registration a breeze.
Blagaj
Located just about 20 mins drive from Mostar is Blagaj, and it's famous for having a traditional house and Dervish monastery dating back more than 600 years, perched right over the water and tucked into the side of a steep cliff.
Blagaj
Located just about 20 mins drive from Mostar is Blagaj, and it's famous for having a traditional house and Dervish monastery dating back more than 600 years, perched right over the water and tucked into the side of a steep cliff.
Blagaj Tekija (also known as Blagaj Tekke), is a Muslim monastery, and was founded during the Ottoman Empire.
The Velagić House next door is right next to the cliff and provides a contrast to the emerald waters below.
The waterfalls view with the house and monastery in the backdrop was really awesome. Best view from a side walking route which is meant to be a boat point into the cave.
The Velagić House next door is right next to the cliff and provides a contrast to the emerald waters below.
The waterfalls view with the house and monastery in the backdrop was really awesome. Best view from a side walking route which is meant to be a boat point into the cave.
There's a Fort nearby and I drove over to have a quick look to see what it was like.
I wasn't in the mood to climb, and so just took a photo from below.
Radimlja
Radimlja Necropolis is necropolis of tombstones near the city of Stolac. These specific tombstones are specific for Bosnia and Herzegovina and they are called "stećak“.
Radimlja
Radimlja Necropolis is necropolis of tombstones near the city of Stolac. These specific tombstones are specific for Bosnia and Herzegovina and they are called "stećak“.
They are monumental medieval tombstones. They didn't look much from far so I didn't stay long.
Stolac
Again another wild goose chase by Google.
Was trying to get to the Fort at the top, but I couldn't seem to find the entrance up, and no way was I going to climb.
So a picture from the town below.
In any case, I did read in reviews that most of the forts are not very well maintained at the top, so at least i see the structure?
Pocitelj
The ancient town of Pocitelj was said to have been built no later than 1383, and was later upgraded to fortifications until it was captured by the Ottoman Empire in 1471, with a Mediterranean-Ottoman fusion style.
Stolac
Again another wild goose chase by Google.
Was trying to get to the Fort at the top, but I couldn't seem to find the entrance up, and no way was I going to climb.
So a picture from the town below.
In any case, I did read in reviews that most of the forts are not very well maintained at the top, so at least i see the structure?
Pocitelj
The ancient town of Pocitelj was said to have been built no later than 1383, and was later upgraded to fortifications until it was captured by the Ottoman Empire in 1471, with a Mediterranean-Ottoman fusion style.
At present, it is the best-preserved Ottoman town in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is on the waiting list of World Heritage.
Also known as the City of Stone, Pocitelj is a small city built in the Middle Ages in Ottoman. The city has a very well-preserved tower and is the high point of the city.
Also known as the City of Stone, Pocitelj is a small city built in the Middle Ages in Ottoman. The city has a very well-preserved tower and is the high point of the city.
As I started from the top, I went to the bastion, which seemed to be slightly modernised as compared to the rest of the village.
View was amazing here,and unblocked.
Had to be very careful still as it was a good thing I watched my step since there was a metal piece missing from one of the stairs!
It took me about 45 mins to get my way down as I stopped at a few spots like the mosque to take photos and admire the stone structures and houses.
It took me about 45 mins to get my way down as I stopped at a few spots like the mosque to take photos and admire the stone structures and houses.
I was starving by the time I got to the bottom and found a small cafe for lunch.
Options were limited so I ordered a hamburger with fries.
This is a deconstructed version? 😂
And instead of burger bun, I was served pita bread 😅
Drink is pomegranate juice which is supposed to be a specialty here... But I found it too syrupy sweet for my liking.
It was then a climb up, but stopping over at the Watch Tower before getting back to the car.
This is a deconstructed version? 😂
And instead of burger bun, I was served pita bread 😅
Drink is pomegranate juice which is supposed to be a specialty here... But I found it too syrupy sweet for my liking.
It was then a climb up, but stopping over at the Watch Tower before getting back to the car.
The Watch Tower was in shambles, and there was an entrance to the top, with no signs saying we can't go in, so I made my way in and took the climb up, though also mindful of my steps in case it wasn't fully structurally sound.
The climb was an adventure. And from the base of the tower to the top, there is an empty void with numerous openings in them. Some travellers after seeing that I had climbed the tower, decided to follow suit.
The climb was an adventure. And from the base of the tower to the top, there is an empty void with numerous openings in them. Some travellers after seeing that I had climbed the tower, decided to follow suit.
The top of the roof was partially damaged, but the view was fantastic.
Next stop : Fortress of Herzog Stjepan Vukčić Kosača
This is very close to Kravica falls, which I had chosen to skip, since I had already visited Plitvice Lakes in Croatia.
This Fort was under renovation when I was there. It's good to see that they are up keeping some of the numerous forts they have in the country. View from here was good though.
Meðugorge
The next stop was supposed to be Meðugorge, but I couldn't seem to locate it with Google maps. Famous because in 1981, the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared to 6 local children and since then had been an unofficial pilgrimage site. I gave up finding it after a while because I was more keen to catch sunset from Fortica, a hill near the city centre.
Fortica
Unfortunately I selected the wrong route and ended up 45 mins late for sunset, reaching at about 5.15pm.
Next stop : Fortress of Herzog Stjepan Vukčić Kosača
This is very close to Kravica falls, which I had chosen to skip, since I had already visited Plitvice Lakes in Croatia.
This Fort was under renovation when I was there. It's good to see that they are up keeping some of the numerous forts they have in the country. View from here was good though.
Meðugorge
The next stop was supposed to be Meðugorge, but I couldn't seem to locate it with Google maps. Famous because in 1981, the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared to 6 local children and since then had been an unofficial pilgrimage site. I gave up finding it after a while because I was more keen to catch sunset from Fortica, a hill near the city centre.
Fortica
Unfortunately I selected the wrong route and ended up 45 mins late for sunset, reaching at about 5.15pm.
I had selected another fortress on the same hill, and it was still a beautiful view with the windmills in the twilight backdrop, however I was more keen to visit Fortica. A couple of times I had considered heading back since it was already dark, but I was glad I persisted.
What was most interesting about Fortica, was the Observation Point as it has a suspended platform with clear glass bottom.
What was most interesting about Fortica, was the Observation Point as it has a suspended platform with clear glass bottom.
It's a little dark to see it properly, and would had been quite remarkable in the day. But the night lights of Mostar from here was rather remarkable too.
It was really windy and also cold, so after just walking 1 round on the observatory deck, I made my way back to the car and drove back down to return the car at about 6pm.
Just my 2 cents worth of my drive in Bosnia and Herzegovina
1. Google maps had been good in finding different sights to visit, however the points on the maps may not always be the exact location.
2. Google directions on my drive around Mostar has been the worse among countries that I had driven in so far. I had a few times it brought me to dead ends or wrong routes.
3. Main road conditions are average with some pot holes and uneven road surfaces. Road conditions to some attractions are not great - gravel / unpaved.
4. Radio stations are a disappointment... Either they talk too much and in a monotonous voice and too much advertisements. I couldn't find any music stations playing more upbeat music or modern Western songs, which was much needed on a road trip.
5. Car rental was super easy, no deposit required too!
It was really windy and also cold, so after just walking 1 round on the observatory deck, I made my way back to the car and drove back down to return the car at about 6pm.
Just my 2 cents worth of my drive in Bosnia and Herzegovina
1. Google maps had been good in finding different sights to visit, however the points on the maps may not always be the exact location.
2. Google directions on my drive around Mostar has been the worse among countries that I had driven in so far. I had a few times it brought me to dead ends or wrong routes.
3. Main road conditions are average with some pot holes and uneven road surfaces. Road conditions to some attractions are not great - gravel / unpaved.
4. Radio stations are a disappointment... Either they talk too much and in a monotonous voice and too much advertisements. I couldn't find any music stations playing more upbeat music or modern Western songs, which was much needed on a road trip.
5. Car rental was super easy, no deposit required too!
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