Pocitelj
Pocitelj je tiny town of Oriental style on the left bank of Neretva River in Herzegovina, 3 km north of Capljina, about half an hour’s drive from Mostar on your way to the Adriatic coast or to Hutovo blato Nature Park/reserve. From Pocitelj to the Adriatic Sea you get in less than 30 minutes of drive along the M-17 road to the south. Pocitelj Fortress was rebuilt in 1383 by the Bosnian King Stjepan Tvrtko I as the main stronghold against Turkish conquest in Neretva River Valley. The first document dating from 1444 mentions the Town of Neretvian Pocitelj that belongs to the Herzeg Stjepan. After the Ottoman conquest, during the 15th and the 16th century, the settlement gained appearance and features of the Oriental-Mediterranean styles, when numerous very significant architectural structures were built. Pocitelj was part of the Ottoman Empire until 1878. Počitelj lost its strategic importance when Austria-Hungary took over Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1878, that led to its decline, but enabled preservation of the authentic historical core of the settlement until the present time.
The unique settlement and surrounding walls of Pocitelj was in 1996 added to the World Monuments Watch’s list of endangered cultural heritage sites. Like a lot of places in Herzegovina, Počitelj was badly damaged by Croat forces. During bombing and fighting in 1993, local Islamic art was lost, the town’s huge mosque was badly damaged and most of the population fled. After the Dayton Peace Accords in late 1995, fighting ceased, but the town had suffered immensely. Recent reconstruction has returned the town of Pocitelj to its original form. Besides its stunning oriental architecture that encompasses all kinds of structures built during the period of 400 years, Pocitelj hosts the longest operating art colony in southeast Europe since 1964. Artists from around the world gather here to paint, among other things but importantly, the shiny red pomegranates and figs that grow in abundance on the hills of Pocitelj. The Hadzi-Alija Mosque Pocitelj from the first half of the 16th century has been reconstructed, as well as the Sisman-Ibrahim-pasha medresa and the Gavran Kapetanovic house, all of which are open to visitors. The most striking object in Pocitelj is the Sahat-kula /Clock Tower/, a silo-shaped fort that towers from the top of the hill above the town. The hamam /public bath/ also features a prominent position. Next to the Pocitelj hamam, there was also a han – a resting point for caravans, which is currently being renovated and which used to be a well-known restaurant. The Sahat Kula – Clock Tower Pocitelj housed watchmen and military to guard against possible invasion from the Neretva Valley. Well preserved structures and unique atmosphere make Pocitelj regarded the town-museum. There are small population living nowadays in Počitelj, mostly elder inhabitants and predominantly the first inhabitants of this Medieval town, among which are members of the Dizdar family, established 500 years ago within the walls of Pocitelj, and preserves its continuity until the present.
Thanks to its unique features and architecture, Pocitelj is one of the best highlights of Bosnia and Herzegovina, visited by numerous tourists from all over the world. The beautiful surroundings of Pocitelj with a number rich vineyards and wineries provide wonderful memories of visitors, who enjoy tasting the famous wines of Herzegovina. Zilavka is exclusive dry white wine produced of the zilavka grape variety, grown in the vineyards of Capljina and Domanovići village, in wine region of Mostar in Bosna and Herzegovina. Žilavka wine is often regarded with the sunny Herzegovina south area and is known as bearer of all features of novelty and harmony. Bouquet of this wine is neither provoking, nor sweet, nor sour, but features character which remains in the memory. In order to impose its richness, fullness, bouquet and flavor, is it necessary to drink Zilavka at the temperature of 10-12 °C. Blatina is exclusive red wine, produces of the grape variety of the same name, which is grown on the wine areas of Čapljina and Domanovići village in Mostar wine region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Blatina red wine features ruby color of advanced and characteristic flavor, rich and harmonized taste. Its Mediterranean playfulness, the Blatina best performs when sampled with paired food. Then Blatina wine responds with its outstanding aroma, and the pleasant dry flavor, which is soft and passionate, and seductive…
Balkan Tour Serbia – Montenegro – Bosnia and Herzegovina
