Pale: Holiday Apartments Between Culture, Caves and Ravna Planina

Pale combines impressive cultural sites with caves, mountain landscapes and trails leading to Jahorina. Between the centre of Pale, the slopes of Ravna Planina and the Romanija Mountains, there are experiences ranging from quiet local history to sporting activities. Regional cuisine is also part of the character of this place and its surroundings.

Culture

A notable testimony to the town’s history is Ceković House. It was built between 1902 and 1915 and declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2004. Today, the house accommodates a small museum with paintings, traditional clothing, furniture, tableware and documents belonging to the Ceković family. Another cultural focal point is the National Library of Pale in the Cultural Centre Pale. Its history dates back to a library and reading room founded in Pale on 12 January 1921; today, it holds more than 40,000 books, including collections on local history as well as old and rare books.

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is also one of the defining places in Pale. The church was built of brick and stone in 1909, and features and influences of the Serbo-Byzantine architectural style can be recognised in it. To this day, the church remains a central gathering place for the people of Pale. On the Romanija Mountains, Novak’s Cave is also associated with Starina Novak and is a historical and tourist attraction of the municipality of Pale.

Nature

The source of the Paljanska Miljacka lies southeast of the centre of Pale on the northern slope of Ravna Planina at an elevation of approximately 1,010 metres. There are waterfalls at the source; its mountain water is suitable for trout, and fish ponds and restaurants are located a little further downstream. The Goli Koran Nature Park is just a few minutes from the centre. It has fitness trails, benches and outdoor fitness equipment.

The Orlovača Cave in Sumbulovac and the hamlet of Donje Sinjevo is a destination in its own right, approximately 10 kilometres from the centre of Pale and 1 kilometre from the main road. More than 560 metres of the cave have been made accessible to tourists with concrete paths and modern lighting. Visits are only possible when accompanied by a qualified guide; the tour lasts 30 to 45 minutes and takes place from 15 April to 15 October.

Activities and Seasons

Marked hiking trails lead from Pale via Ravna Planina to Jahorina. The Ravna Planina ski centre is 3 kilometres from the centre of Pale and has 12 kilometres of prepared ski slopes. Ravna Planina also has a gondola ride to the top of the main ski slope. Artificial lakes are used there for snowmaking in winter and recreation in summer.

For a more challenging section on Mount Romanija, the “Sokolov put” via ferrata runs along the Crvene Stijene. It is 350 metres long, has an elevation gain of 160 metres and a technical difficulty rating of B/C. The range of landscape experiences therefore extends from marked trails and a gondola ride to a secured climbing route with clearly specified technical measurements.

Regional Cuisine

The traditional cuisine of the Pale region includes homemade breads and filled pies served with sour milk. Cicvara, kaymak and pura, also known as kačamak, are also mentioned. These dishes complement the cultural and landscape impressions with a regional culinary tradition.

Other places in the surrounding region: Trnovo, Doboj, Popovi, Karanovac, Dračevo, Njemanica, Lukavica, Vrhovina.

For the overarching travel overview: Republika Srpska.