Holiday apartment in Fojnica – thermal springs, mountains and cultural heritage

Fojnica is situated in a landscape characterised by high mountain ranges and thermal springs. The municipality is bordered by Vranica and Bitovinja to the southwest; forests and abundant water shape the character of the surrounding area. Reumal, a modern specialised facility for rehabilitation, relaxation, active holidays and planned sporting activities, is located in Fojnica. Reumal’s rehabilitation services are based on radioactive thermal water.

Nature

Near Fojnica, Prokoško jezero is located on Mount Vranica at an altitude of 1,636 metres. The lake is of glacial origin and is managed as the “Spomenik prirode Prokoško jezero” nature monument. The rare endemic Rajzer’s newt (Triturus alpestris reiseri) is found there; swimming in Prokoško jezero is possible in summer. The Kozice waterfalls are also located nearby, ten kilometres north of the town. They consist of three waterfalls, each between 10 and 20 metres high.

Recreation

In summer, the Brusnica leisure centre near Fojnica offers horse riding, mountain biking and walks along marked and well-maintained trails. Brusnica also has a 33-kilometre mountain hiking trail to Prokoško jezero. On the road from Fojnica to Prokoško jezero, at an altitude of 1,100 metres, there is accommodation located 12 kilometres from Fojnica and 8 kilometres from Prokoško jezero. In unspoilt nature, it offers opportunities for relaxation, recreation, mountain hiking and walks along forest paths.

Culture

In medieval Bosnia, Fojnica developed into an important mining and trading centre. The Bosnian rulers also operated a mint here. The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Spirit offers tours of the monastery, library and museum. The monastery’s museum collection and library holdings are registered as movable cultural heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The library preserves more than 50,000 books, including 13 incunabula.

The museum of the Franciscan monastery houses the Ahdnama of 1463. In it, Sultan Mehmed II el-Fatih granted the Bosnian Franciscans, at the request of Fra Anđelo Zvizdović, freedom of movement in Bosnia and permission to work among the population. The Atik Mosque in Fojnica was built in 1551 and is considered one of the oldest mosques in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Above the present-day settlement of Fojnica, at the Banja site, remains of Roman works for collecting and protecting the thermal spring have been preserved.

Events and regional cuisine

Fojničko ljeto is a traditional festival organised by the municipality of Fojnica for residents and visitors. In the summer katuns around Prokoško jezero, sheep’s cheese, kajmak, pita and bread baked under a sač are offered. In addition to nature and cultural experiences, traditional products from the mountain region are therefore also a central focus.

Further destinations

More town pages: Kiseljak, Travnik, Jajce, Bugojno, Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje, Milanovići, Busovača, Čardaci.

To the overarching travel overview: Central Bosnia Canton/Central Bosnia.