Holiday apartment in Mrkonjić Grad – Culture, Lakes and Mountain Landscapes

Mrkonjić Grad combines a multifaceted history with a hilly mountain region, springs, lakes and handicraft traditions. The Roman long-distance road Salona–Servitium already ran through the area. Via western Bosnia, it connected the Adriatic with the Sava and Pannonia. The settlement of Leusaba was located at a crossroads of Roman roads at the foot of Mount Grabež; the present-day Mrkonjić Grad later developed from it.

History and culture

An important chapter in the town’s history is associated with Krzlaraga, whose birth name was Đukanović. In 1593, he established a foundation, a waqf, on Kolobara, comprising a mosque, 24 shops, a water supply system, a bakery and a library. The waqf also included a fund to promote handicrafts and trade. Today, the monument to King Peter I Karađorđević stands on Kolobara.

The history of Bosnia and Herzegovina is also present in Mrkonjić Grad: the first session of ZAVNOBiH took place in the town on 25 November 1943. The Memorial Museum of the first ZAVNOBiH meeting in the town centre is designated as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the “Petar Kočić” Cultural Centre, the town museum houses an ethnological collection on folk art as well as photographs. In the surrounding area, in the village of Baljvine, lies the medieval Stećak necropolis “Tešanovića krčevine”, which is designated as immovable cultural heritage.

Landscape and nature

Mrkonjić Grad is a hilly mountain region with springs. There are around 1,000 springs in the Mrkonjić Grad area; around 360 smaller and larger springs are located on Mount Lisina. The “Vrela Sane” natural monument comprises three karst springs of the Sana, the lower course of the Korana and Mračaj Cave.

Lake Balkana is also part of the landscape; it is located 4 kilometres from Mrkonjić Grad. It consists of the Small Lake and the Large Lake and serves as a destination for excursions and swimming. In Zelenkovac, 15 kilometres from Mrkonjić Grad, the “Zašto nije Otišao Boro”!? art gallery is situated in a forested landscape.

Active experiences

The Pecka Visitor Centre serves as the starting and return point for excursions, climbing, cycling tours, hikes and meetings with guides. The climbing area near Pecka has more than 100 climbing routes and is one of the largest climbing areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over a past period, the “Green tour” association mapped more than 300 kilometres of cycling routes in the Mrkonjić Grad area.

Nearby Balkana hosts an annual mowing competition in honour of the best scythe mowers. The homemade rakija festival takes place in winter and brings together numerous producers.

Handicrafts and regional cuisine

Mrkonjić Grad is considered a centre of blacksmithing in the north-western part of Republika Srpska; the products are sold mainly at markets in Mrkonjić Grad and Banja Luka as well as in workshops. Traditional domestic crafts are also preserved and maintained throughout the area. These include wooden objects, barrels and flat bottles for rakija, as well as knitted socks and gloves, colourful carpets and blankets with traditional embroidery.

The local culinary specialities include buckwheat ljevuša and grilled trout, which visitors to Mrkonjić Grad can sample.

When comparing a holiday apartment or accommodation in Mrkonjić Grad, check the exact location, type of accommodation and possible occupancy on the respective listing pages before booking. The included services, price components, as well as booking and cancellation conditions are equally important.

Other places

You can reach other local destinations via the navigation: Ljubina, Višegrad, Mišići, Lukavica, Ponir, Trebinje, Nevesinje, Opetci.

To the higher-level travel overview: Republika Srpska.