Bobovac Fortress
Description
Bobovac Fortress, set on a height above Kraljeva Sutjeska in the Vareš municipality, was once the capital of the Bosnian kings and one of the most important political and military centres of medieval Bosnia. It was built in the mid-14th century by Ban Stjepan II Kotromanić; the Bosnian royal crown was kept here, and rulers of the Kotromanić dynasty were buried within its walls, among them Tvrtko II and Stjepan Tomaš. It remained the capital until 1463, when it fell under Ottoman rule.
Today Bobovac is an open-air museum: visitors explore the remains of eleven towers, the royal palace and the burial chapel with the Kotromanić mausoleum, all set against a beautiful view of the valley and surrounding mountains. It is listed among the most beautiful villages in BiH and is a favourite destination for history lovers, hikers and nature enthusiasts.
Cultural Heritage
Practical Information
History
Bobovac was the royal treasury of the Bosnian Kingdom — its crown jewels and royal crown were kept within its walls, and three Bosnian kings were buried in its royal chapel. Even Sultan Mehmed II with an army of 150,000 soldiers could not take it by force — it fell only through the betrayal of Duke Radak in 1463, giving rise to the saying: "Bosnia fell in a whisper."
