Holiday apartment in Nova Bila – culture, rivers and events

Nova Bila begins in the mountains and continues along two rivers: the Bila River rises on the slopes of Vlašić and flows into the Lašva in Nova Bila. For further exploration, there are cultural sites, historic buildings, paths and time-specific events spread throughout the town and its surroundings.

Nature

The mountains of Zadanj and Kuk are located in the immediate surroundings of Nova Bila. The Veliki Kik peak and the mountain of Donja Čatrnja are also located in the vicinity of Nova Bila. Thus, in addition to the course of the Bila River, the landscape includes several named mountains and peaks in the town’s regional surroundings.

Culture

The Franjevačka bolnica dr. fra Mate Nikolića was established on 15 December 1992 in the complex of the Pastoral Centre in Nova Bila. It is named after fra Mati Nikoliću, who is regarded as the first doctor with a doctorate in the history of healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina and completed his medical studies in Feldesberg in 1807.

The JU Hrvatski kulturni centar Nova Bila is one of the cultural institutions of Travnik and has a concert hall. The Kazalište mladih Korifej Nova Bila is located in the building of the Hrvatski kulturni centar Nova Bila. The Ivo Andrić Museum is also located in the surroundings of Nova Bila.

The local history also includes the parish and the parish church of the Holy Spirit. The Parish of the Holy Spirit in Nova Bila was founded on 25 August 1974. The parish church was essentially completed in 1977. After the war, it was restored; the new stained-glass windows were created by the artist Đuro Seder. During the past war, the parish church and the parish house in Nova Bila also served as a hospital.

Another cultural event took place in Nova Bila under the organization of Nova Bila Primary School: “Dani kruha i zahvalnosti za plodove zemlje” also involved pupils from Srednja škola “Travnik” Nova Bila and children from the Dani kindergarten.

Paths and events

The 2025 memorial march included a moderately difficult ascent to Brdo Križ, which began in the Površje area near Pokrajčići. The 4th “Zvonko Gučanin Tajo” Memorial March was organized on 22 March 2025 in Pokrajčići by the Hrvatska ekološka planinarska udruga “Sveti duh” Nova Bila.

There are two references to the old railway line for routes between the towns. The “Staza stare pruge” cycling path has a maintained section between Nova Bila and Stara Bila. The “Staza stare pruge – Old Rail Trail” cycling and walking path connects Busovača and Turbe; the Stara Bila–Nova Bila section has been developed.

The “Duhovi” tournament was also associated with several specific dates and details for 2026. Visitors were invited to the “Duhovi” tournament at the bocce court in Dubrave, Nova Bila, from 9 to 23 May 2026. The III “Duhovi” Nova Bila Bocce Tournament was part of the traditional cultural and sporting event “Dani Nove Bile” 2026. The tournament was planned to include 82 participants in 18 teams.

Kazalište LOGOS Nova Bila invited pupils from grades 3 to 9 to register. In addition, HAHAfest was scheduled to take place from 18 to 21 June 2026 in Nova Bila and Travnik as a regional comedy and theatre festival. The announced festival was planned to feature professional theatres and established artists from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro; the programme also included a performance for children. Kazalište LOGOS Nova Bila was to host HAHAfest, supported by JU Hrvatski kulturni centar Nova Bila.

Entertaining, sporting and cultural activities were announced for Dani Nove Bile 2026. Together with the aforementioned theatre, sporting and cultural dates, this creates an events calendar encompassing various forms of public life in Nova Bila.

Other places in the canton: Travnik, Čardaci, Kiseljak, Fojnica, Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje, Milanovići, Bugojno, Busovača.

For the higher-level travel overview: Central Bosnia Canton/Middle Bosnia.