There were people here in 12,000 B.C., as evidenced by ancient drawings in the Badanj Cave near Stolac in Herzegovina, though climatic changes eradicated most of the population until 4,000 B.C. There are artefacts in the National Museum of Sarajevo dating from the Neolithic periods of the 3rd and 2nd millenia B.C. as well as examples of Copper and Bronze Age workmanship, as Bosnia became a raiding and hiding ground for the warring tribes of the 2nd millenium.
From 1000 B.C. Bosnia-Herzegovina became a major centre for the Illyrian Empire, which dominated the Balkans throughout this millenium until the Romans inflicted what was perhaps the final defeat of King Gentius in 168 B.C., though inland Illyran tribes continued to resist fiercely the imperial claims of the Romans. Remains of an extension of the Hellenistic culture can also be found in Illyrian settlements.
After the Romans, came the Ostrogoths who, in turn, were followed by the Slavs, who appear to have assimilated with the remaining Illyrians to form a unique culture, part pagan, part Christian, as evidenced by 11th and 12th Century tombstones or stecci, engraved with both pagan and Christian symbols. Bosnia developed its own Church and its own version of the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets. A succession of Bans or Governors ruled the country and in 1326 one such ruler annexed the province of Hum, thus creating what is now called Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In 1463, the area fell under Ottoman control and was gradually subsumed into this vast empire until the mid-19th Century. From thereon, Bosnia-Herzegovina becomes a trampling ground for the Great Powers as they fought successive wars throughout the 20th century. Tito brought a degree of peace to the area with the formation of Yugoslavia only for this to disintegrate in the bloody civil wars of the 1990s.
Bosnia: A rich history
Today, holidays in Bosnia-herzogovina (or B-I-H) are more commonplace, continuing to display its multi-ethnic and secular traits with architecture from all periods of its Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian domination; fine restaurants and hotels; and people eager to welcome the world to this small gem of a country, browsing out holidays in Bosnia should definitely be your next addition on your bucket list.
To quote the Bradt guide "this place is truly blessed with some of the most impressive scenery in southeast Europe", making Bosnia holidays one of the best options for nature lovers. Many mountains tower over 2,000 metres (6.500 feet) giving free rein to experienced climbers and enthusiastic walkers.
The Hutovo Bird Reserve in the south of Herzegovina provides a resting ground for over 10,000 birds during the migratory season. The Kozara National Park is galrlanded with flowers and strewen with picnic stops for families and friends.
Sarajevo is the epitome of multi-ethnicity with Orthodox and Catholic cathedrals; a mosque and a synagogue all in the same square. Get yourself one of our Bosnia holidays & Bosnia vacation packages to learn and see sights including the meeting of Ottoman and Byzantine cultures, the divine architecture with the influences of renaissance Italy (Rome, Venice and Vienna), and much, much more!
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