Bosnia & Herzegovina Travel Guide

The Serbian Orthodox Church is a solemn, quaint Orthodox sanctuary in Szentendre bearing witness to Balkan immigrant history—this ancient church high in the old city is the core of Szentendre's unique Orthodox culture and a precious window into that Balkan immigrant history. Szentendre's unique Balkan and Orthodox flavor comes from a special immigration history—historically (especially centuries ago, to flee war), large numbers of Orthodox immigrants from the Balkans (Serbia etc.) moved to Szentendre. These Balkan immigrants brought their Orthodox faith and culture, building several Serbian Orthodox churches that became the core of the town's unique culture. The most important and famous is the Belgrade Church (the Serbian Orthodox cathedral) high in the old city—an ancient church, the center of Szentendre's Serbian Orthodox community, solemn and quaint. Built in an elegant Baroque-Orthodox style, it has a striking bell tower (high above the old city, a landmark on the skyline); inside, typical Orthodox furnishings—a gilded, icon-covered iconostasis and icons, murals and religious decor, solemn, sacred and gorgeous, full of strong Orthodox art (very different from typical Hungarian Catholic churches). Beside it is often an Orthodox art museum (collecting and displaying precious Orthodox icons and religious art). Step into this ancient Orthodox church, admire the gorgeous iconostasis and icons, feel the unique Orthodox faith and art, and learn Szentendre's Balkan immigrant history. (A sacred site; visit with reverence and respect.)

The Latin Bridge is an ancient stone bridge spanning the Miljacka River in Sarajevo. It entered world history because of the Sarajevo Assassination near the bridge on June 28, 1914—Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife were assassinated here, an event that triggered World War I and profoundly changed the course of 20th-century world history. This plainly styled Ottoman-period stone bridge with several arches was just one of many Sarajevo bridges across the river, but became world-famous because of this history-changing event. Today, memorial signs and a museum (Museum of Sarajevo 1878–1918) stand by the bridge, objectively recounting this history that deeply affected the world. Standing by the Latin Bridge, gazing at the quietly flowing river and this bridge that witnessed the turning point of history, one cannot help but reflect on the world war that took countless lives, and the preciousness of peace in the long river of history. This is a place to pay tribute with a solemn, prudent heart, reflect on war and cherish peace. Pay tribute with a solemn heart, reflect on war and cherish peace. Learn the history objectively, behave solemnly; respect the old bridge and memorial facilities, do not carve or climb; mind bridge and riverside safety; visit civilly.

Stari Most (meaning the Old Bridge) is an elegant single-arch stone bridge spanning the Neretva River, connecting the two banks of Mostar's old town. Built in the 16th century in the Ottoman period, it is famous for its tall, light arch structure, a masterpiece of Ottoman architectural art, and the most renowned landmark of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the core of the Mostar old town's World Heritage site. The bridge was destroyed in the 1990s war and rebuilt after the war with traditional craftsmanship according to the original, and together with the old town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It spans the green Neretva high above, its two ends connecting the ancient stone towers and the cobbled old bazaar; the bridge body is like a graceful arc across the canyon, reflected in the shimmering river, a beautiful scene. The bridge is not only a treasure of architecture and aesthetics, but also carries the historical memory of this city's coexistence and a deep symbolic meaning of reconstruction from war wounds toward reconciliation. Standing on the bridge or the bank and looking far, you can admire the bridge's elegance and craftsmanship, and reflect on the meaning of destruction, reconstruction and peace behind it. Appreciate the world-heritage old bridge with reverence and reflect on the meaning of reconstruction and peace. Respect the world-heritage old bridge, do not carve or climb the railings; the stone steps are steep and slippery, mind your footing and safety, watch children; respect local residents and the multicultural culture; visit civilly.