Konjic

Konjic is one of the gems of Bosnia and Herzegovina, rightfully for its amazing nature that entirely surrounds it. The Neretva River flows through the center of Konjic, while the Prenj Mountain dominates in its back. The old town of Konjic is very beautiful point walking area, likewise the town center from where spreads the picturesque panorama to the surroundings in all direction. The main street of Konjic is often closed for traffic when it is full of locals and tourists walking or visiting the numerous cafes, or of the locals selling their stuff and original goods on the market along the Neretva River. Local people of Konjic are very kind and friendly, and openly and directly respond to questions of visitors, simply starting informal conversation.

Since 1900-ties town of Konjic is well-known for woodcarving, which became very lucrative craft by the middle of the 20th century, since occupation of Austria-Hungary. Before the First World War in Konjic were only a dozen of woodcarving workshops which sold their wood-carved furniture all along the Austria-Hungary Empire and further. Each woodcarving shop ofKonjic used to have its own specific pattern of woodcarving which was inherited by generations, and thus it remained preserved and survived until the present day as the very reputed tradition. The Nikšić Family is one of the remaining Serbian families in Konjic which are guardian of this skillful handcraft tradition, so nowadays their woodcarving works can be found in 2 shops in Konjic – „The Braća Nikšić“ and „Rukotvorine“. Those interesting woodcarving works are mostly performed from the nut, cherry and maple wood, of which majority of items come along the orders, wishes and demands of its buyers.

One of the highlights of Konjic is the Old Bridge built in 1682, during the reign of Sultan Mehmed IV, as the last large Ottoman structure in Bosnia and Herzegovina, constructed by Haseci Ali-aga from Blagaj. The Old Bridge in Konjic is regarded the point where Herzegovina meets with Bosnia, and along the famous bridge of Mehmed-pasha Sokolović in Višegrad, makes one of the most beautiful structures of the Ottoman era. The German occupators crushed the Konjic Bridge on March 3rd, 1945 during their retreat from Konjic, after which there was a wooden bridge built on the same place, and later concrete-iron bridge, and in 2009, a Turkish company ER-BU rebuilt the bridge in its original form and appearance. After the reconstruction of the famous Konjic Bridge, a big celebration was held, on June 16th, 2009, on the day of the Konjic Municipality. The Turkish President /at that time/ Rejep Tajip Erdogan attended this ceremony, which speaks about significance of this event. Since 2003 the Bridge in Konjic belongs to the list of national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Another not-to-miss Konjic attraction is the Birth house of Zulfikar Zuko Dzumhur /1920-1989/,  a prominent travel writer, painter and author of Yugoslavia, a man with an open mind and a big heart who considered the whole world was just one courtyard. The birth house of Zuko Džumhur in Konjic is actually a museum which keeps the legacy of this unique personality who continuosly broke borders and connected people – various historical documents and items which remind of the famous Zuko – caricatures, paintings, awards, published and unpublished manuscripts and original costumes and numerous photos of Zuko’s family, friends, writers and other people Zuko met and loved in his bohemian life.

Zulfikar Zuko Džumhur was the Serbian writer, painter, journalist and caricaturist who worked in Politika Newspapers and was twice the President of ULUS  /Association of Fine Artists of Serbia/. Zuko Džumhur worked with Ratko Drazevic in scenario for Avala Film, and completed some works for the state as a painter. Some of Zuko’s works are the Belgrade Airport, reconstruction of Skadarlija quarter and scripts for some Belgrade theater plays. Zuko Džumhur was a member of the Serbian Writers’ Association and was awarded with the Kocic Prize and the October Prize and the Pjer Krizanic Prize, as well as with other awards. He studied at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade in the class of professor Nedeljko Gvozdenović whose attelier in the Endowment of Ilija Kolarac he inherited that was later returned to the owner by the Zuko’s daughter Donizada Džumhur Milatović. Wife of Zuko Džumhur, Vezira Pelivanović Džumhur originated from a rich Serb-Gorani family of Pelivanović whose father Malić Pelivanović was a member of the Serbian Parliament, and rehabilitated in 2013. God fathers in the wedding of Zuko and Vezira were the writer Ivo Andrić and caricaturist and painter Pjer Križanić. It is interesting that the father of Zuko Džumhur, Abduselam Džumhur was convicted for his ideas of Great Serbia and served his prison sentence in Arad where he caught and overcame smallpox. After he was released from the prison, he was expelled from Bosnia and Herzegovina, before the assasination of Franz Ferdinand. He was a member of Mlada Bosna /Young Bosnia/. Zuko Džumhur died in Herceg Novi on the 29th November 1989 and was buried in his birht town Konjic.

Konjic is often connected with the Battle on Neretva river, waged in 1943 in the Valley of the Neretva river, close to Konjic, during the Second WW, between the National Liberation Army of Yugoslavia and the Axis powers. A serial of combats took place in the period from February till March, 1943, known as the common name of the Battle on Neretva River, of the “Battle for wounded”, and it stands for the military, but also for the political defeat of occupators. This battle was extremely important in historical sense, so in 1969 the film with the same name was shot along the historical events.

The Visit Konjic Adventure resort is full atmosphere concept for fans of adrenaline and outdoor activities, located in the Bijela Valley of the Prenj Mountain near Konjic which welcomes both foreign and domestic visitors of the Via Dinarica White trail. The main goal was to build and develop accommodation facility which meets the accommodation requirements and provides various outdoor services within the natural environment. The 2 floor-structure features a pentagon shape and comfortable rooms, an open terrace – passable roof, a restaurant and a bar. On the first floor are two toilets, two rooms with showers, changing cabins and lockers for personal belongings for guests who take part in outdoor activities. On the second floor there are 10 double rooms with private toilets, each equipped with a sofa bed, TV, toilet with shower, toilet, sink and mirror. The rooms offer a beautiful view of the slopes of the gorgeous Prenj Mountain. At the top of the building is a passable roof, a terrace intended for relaxation with deck chairs. The building is surrounded by forest and green area where nearby flows the Vrbača stream. The construction of an outdoor kitchen and a fountain with a capacity of about 100 people is in progress, as well as additional accommodation capacity in wooden logs with 4-6 beds and an outdoor pool. At the moment the outdoor facilities include 12meters high artificial rock which is suitable for first climbing experiences of visitors, the Via Ferrata and a hanging bridge. Visitors of the Visit Konjic Adventure Resort use attested first class equipment according to EU standards, supported by experienced professional outdoor instructors. The Bijela Valley is a quiet mountainous area, where the locals are engaged in animal husbandry, fruit growing and agriculture. This resort provides exceptional opportunities for memorable hiking and outdoor activities, as per successful business story of the Visit Konjic agency to expand in the direction of the development of rural tourism, with the establishment of a rural household and accompanying catering activities.

Deep in the inwards of the Prenj Mountain, covering surface more than 3000 sq meters, there is the remarkable Tito’s bunker which represents the secret underground military facility, drilled by Tito’s partisans in Bosnian-Herzegowenean mountains for 26 years, by the order of the former Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito. The ARK underground bunker in Konjic, of the military name “D-O”, has been built by the former Yugoslav National Army from 1953 till 1979. The ARK Tito’s Bunker was constructed in Konjic in order to serve as the safe sanctuary for the Marshall Tito and his retinue in case of the Third WW, caused by nuclear conflict between the East and the West block, which would, by dark scenario, make Yugoslavia a collateral damage. Costs of construction of this unique underground facility which provided possibility for normal life and accommodation of 350 people in the non-limited time deep in the interior of the Earth, amounted 4,5 million US dollars. This bunker facility in Konjic contains three parts and can stand strike of 25 kilotons without any circumstances for persons who stay within it. The three outer structures which look like weekend houses make the camouflage for three entrances which lead to the inner protected part of the tunnel, that consists of 12 large blocks. The specific conditioning provide constant temperature inside the ARK Bunker facility of 22 C, along with the constant air humidity of 65-71 percent, which was constantly monitored and maintained by powerful air conditioners. The Tito’s ARK Bunker features its own water supply system, electric aggregate, air filters and all necessities needed for normal life performance 200 meters below the surface. The radio-relay centers were set on the surrounding mountain peaks of Kiser and Zlatar, and used as the connection between the bunker and rest of the world. The full accommodation capacity is 350 people, who at the same time have all conditions for undisturbed life and work without need for contacts with the surface, or can live without any restrictions during 14 days, in more than 100 bedrooms, offices, meeting rooms, equipped with simple furniture and the mandatory portrait of Tito, hanging on the walls. The Presidential compartment is of special interest, which was planned to accommodate the Broz family, and remained fully intact for a long time. The ARK Bunker in Konjic contains the facility within the facility, additional protected and constructed some 170 meters below the surface. Wallpaper, floor covering and accompanying equipment clearly testify on the first grade facility. At the Presidential block there are meeting rooms, bedroom with king size bed /still covered with nylon/, modern bathroom and the working room. The row of identical bedrooms, equipped with a bed, a working table and amenities were designed for the president’s personnel. Cooks of the kitchen at the Presidential block had at their disposal the most modern equipment at that time, with the silver cutlery. The current sanitary part used to be a true tiny hospital, and contained the surgery block, Roentgen and equipment able to perform the most difficult medical interventions.

During the 20th century, the population structure of Konjic was varied, with the majority of Muslim population, Croats and Serbs. However, the assassination of the Francis Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914 brought to the rise of nationalism on the whole territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the Konjic Municipality respectively. This led to the threatening of existence of the Serb population in this area, and caused violent change in population structure during the First and the Second WW. Some 7000 Serbs lived at the territory of Konjic Municipality before 1992, but after the horrific dreadful war events in the ’90s that number was drastically reduced.

Zulfikar Zuko Džumhur was Serbian travel writer, painter, journalist of Politika and caricaturist, double president of the ULUS – Association of Visual Artists.  Dzumhur worked on script for the Avala Film Company with Ratko Drazevic and as painter accomplished some works for the state. Some of his works are the Belgrade Airport and reconstruction of the Skadarlija – Skadarska street in Belgrade, and scripts for some Belgrade theaters. He was member of the Association of writers of Serbia, prized with the Kocic award, and the October prize and award of Pjer Krizanic, and other recognitions. He studied on the Academy of Fine Arts in the class of professor Nedeljko Gvozdenovic, whose atelier at the Kolarceva zaduzbina – Kolarac Endowment he succeeded. His daughter Donizada Dzumhur Milatovic returned this atelier to the Kolarac Endowment. Wife of Zuko – Vezira Pelivanovic Dzumhur was from the old rich Serbian-Gorani family of Pelivanovic, whose father Malic Pelivanovic was member of the Serbian Parliament, rehabilitated in 2013. Godfather couple of Zuko and Vezira Dzumhur on their wedding were writer Ivo Andric and caricaturist and painter Pjer Krizanic. It is interesting that father of Zuko Dzumhur, Abduselam Dzumhur was convicted for ideas of Great Serbia and served his prison sentence in Arad where he successfuly overcame rubella. After the prison, Abduselam was persecuted from Bosnia even before the assasination of Franz Ferdinand. He was member of Mlada Bosna Association. Zuko Dzumhur died in Herceg Novi on 29 November 1989 and was buried in his hometown Konjic.

It can be said that Borac Lake and the Valley of Glavatičevo make the center of the tourist offer of Konjic. Around the beautiful Borac Lake, partially of glacial origin, there are comfortable bungalows, hotel and camping facilities. Most of the outdoor activities start: mountaineering, camping, rafting, rural tourism – countryside, kayak and canoe ride, mountain bike ride, and even gliding.

 

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