Holiday apartment in Višegrad: Bridge, Drina and culture

Višegrad lies on the Drina and combines an extraordinary structure with literary-inspired places, historic monastery complexes and a wide range of experiences on the water. The Mehmed Pasha Sokolović Bridge spans the Drina here. It was built at the end of the 16th century by the court architect Mimar Koca Sinan on behalf of Grand Vizier Mehmed Pasha Sokolović and is considered characteristic of the peak of Ottoman monumental architecture and civil engineering.

Culture

Andrićgrad forms a world of its own, conceived as a “city within a city”. The stone medieval city is inspired by the works and characters of Ivo Andrić. In Andrićgrad, you can also visit the Lubarda Gallery at the Andrić Institute and watch films at the “Dolly Bell” cinema.

The Višegrad City Gallery is located in the Cultural Centre building. It regularly displays paintings, graphics and sculptures created at the International Art Symposium in Višegrad. The official tour of Višegrad includes the Ivo Andrić Memorial Classroom; admission costs 3 KM per person.

Another historic memory is preserved by the Stari Brod Memorial Museum. It contains 27 sculptures with 39 figures symbolising the flight of Serbian mothers with their children into the swollen Drina. The Monastery of the Ascension of the Lord in Vardište also has an icon-painting workshop where nuns make and paint icons.

History

The medieval town complex of Dobrun is part of Višegrad’s historic surroundings. Its eastern section consisted of three towers on the left bank of the Rzav. In the western section, there was a fortress with walls and a gate at this location. Dobrun Monastery is located 12 km from Višegrad in the Rzav gorge. The monastery complex includes the Museum of the First Serbian Uprising. Dobrun Monastery preserves frescoes depicting Emperor Dušan with Jelena and Uroš, as well as the monastery’s founder, Prefect Pribil, and his family.

Water and landscape

Within the town area, upstream from Višegrad Bridge, there is a 2 km-long fishing section. There is also a 480 m-long zipline next to the bridge. Jaz Beach is located in Međeđa, 12 km upstream from Višegrad, and offers swimming as well as canoe, pedal boat and motorboat rentals.

The lower lake in the Drina Canyon is 54 km long. A few kilometres from Višegrad, it transitions into a completely wild landscape without roads or settlements. On the Drina, the active tourism centre Canyon Adventures offers various tours and adventures with kayaks or SUP boards; visitors can pass beneath the arches of the old bridge.

Traditions

The International Art Symposium in Višegrad has been held every year at the beginning of August since 1993 and brings together artists from around 15 countries. The Višegrad Staza was established in 1976 and takes place every year in June. Another traditional event is “Zlatne ruke Podrinja”. It brings together exhibitors of handicrafts, homemade products and traditional crafts.

Special historic uses are also part of the local offering. The hamam in Višegradska Banja is still in use and can be rented by the hour through Hotel Vilina Vlas. Višegrad stew is recommended for tasting.

Getting around

The Višegrad–Vardište–Mokra Gora narrow-gauge railway runs through the scenic Rzav valley and is used for special tourist services. On the Ćiro railway line, special services are currently available for tourist groups only, with the entire train being rented.

Višegrad is connected daily by bus with Sarajevo, Istočno Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka and Foča. There are also routes to Belgrade and Novi Sad. For the final 5 km from Miloševići to Stari Brod, note that the route is not fully paved and is recommended only for off-road vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

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Discover more destinations under Slatina, Vlasenica, Nevesinje, Bijeljina, Prnjavor, Doboj, Jablanica and Zidine.

To the overarching travel overview: Republika Srpska.