Wandering photographer Boris Trogrančić, who regularly introduces us to the natural beauty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, recently visited one of the country’s most stunning villages—Vranduk.
Vranduk is located in central Bosnia, just about ten kilometers from Zenica, and is renowned for its medieval fortress dating back to the 14th century, writes Punkufer.hr.
Once a royal and banate city, Vranduk is now a museum spread across three floors. Visitors can explore tools, utensils, royal and knightly garments, visit a medieval marketplace, a blacksmith’s workshop, and other artisan studios—or even try their hand at medieval games.
The Old Town of Vranduk is perched atop a 300-meter-high cliff, which the Bosna River dramatically winds around. Historically, the fortress played a critical role in controlling traffic from the Pannonian Plain to the Adriatic.
The name Vranduk was first mentioned in 1410 as a possession of the Croatian-Hungarian King Sigismund of Luxembourg. Shortly thereafter, it came under the rule of Bosnian kings before being occupied by the Ottomans in 1463. Four centuries later, in 1878, it passed into Austro-Hungarian hands.
Vranduk is listed among the 17 most beautiful villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, not only for its well-preserved medieval fortress but also for its enchanting landscapes, homes with characteristic architecture, and numerous traditional riverside mills, some of which are over 200 years old.
