Village of Umoljani
Description
Umoljani is one of the most enchanting mountain villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located on Bjelašnica at around 1,300 meters above sea level, an hour's drive from Sarajevo. Surrounded by stećci, katun huts, and a meandering stream that gave rise to the legend of the dragon, this village combines natural beauty with priceless historical heritage.
Behind the village stretches Studeno Polje, through which winds Studeni Potok, forming twenty-one cascades in spring and autumn before plunging 350 meters into the canyon of the Rakitnica River. Alongside the mosque with a tin minaret – a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina – the Dolovi necropolis of stećci was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016. On Sundays, Umoljani comes alive: hikers, cyclists, and people from Sarajevo come to restaurants with breathtaking views, while hosts tell the story of the dragon whose winding trail still flows today as Studeni Potok.
The Dragon and Studeni Potok
A legend is tied to Umoljani that still attracts visitors from all over the world today. The story says that long ago a dragon, in the form of a snake, emerged from the Rakitnica Canyon and headed toward the village. As it wound its way along, it left a deep trail behind, which over time became a stream. The villagers took refuge on Pošiljak hill and prayed until their prayer was answered – the dragon was turned to stone and still stands in the rock today. Its trail, Studeni Potok, forms twenty-one cascades in spring and autumn and plunges dramatically 350 meters into the upper Rakitnica Canyon, offering one of the most striking sights in this part of Bosnia.
What to see and how to get there
