Lifestyle and Culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina has so much to offer in many aspects, tradition, modern life, history, culture, and nature. This is a combination that makes the Balkans one of the most interesting places on earth and Bosnia and Herzegovina is no exception to that.
The capital city of Sarajevo has been dubbed a meeting point of cultures, a crossroads in time and space with more than 400,000 inhabitants sharing 4 different religions.
Not bad for a city that is called ‘the Jerusalem of Europe’, with wonderful architecture that combines with a warm street ambiance, a true Mediterranean city. Culturally this place sticks out, as a former part of the Ottoman Empire, Islam spread to the nation and is still a religious majority in the country. However other religious sects co-exist peacefully together in beautiful unison.
Bosnian Wildlife
Bosnian wildlife is one of the most interesting parts of the country, from common brown bears to more exotic and localized Salmonid species, Bosnia is a stunning country with lots of critters to gawk over. It is not only the animal life that draws attention to this European region, one of the most unique aspects of Bosnia’s natural life is Perućica, a primeval forest that is also one of the final remaining jungles in Europe. The green natural beauty of Perućica is preserved within the Sutjeska National Park and is home to the approximately 276 foot Skakavac Waterfall.
Bosnian Food
If you are familiar with the cuisine of Turkey, Greece, and similar Mediterranean dishes, then you are going to love Bosnia’s common cuisines. Enjoy the Bosnian take on kebabs, ćevapi, local meatballs or ćufte, and the Herzegovinian take on japrak which is grape leaves stuffed with meat and rice and served with mashed potatoes and yogurt. As a student, popular foods amongst local and international students are burek (a meat and cheese filo dough), the red bell pepper relish sataraš, and the Bosnian specialty of begova čorba, a stew-like dish of layered meat and vegetables.
Bosnian Must-See Sites
There is so much to traverse and explore in the lands of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a good first-stop and a great introduction to the country’s natural history is the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and journey through the Sarajevski Tunel Museum where you explore how an underground tunnel aided the Bosnian army in the civil war. Travel during the right time of year and thrill-seekers can enjoy speeding down the slopes of the Olympic center of Jahorna.
As you are exploring the nation’s capital Sarajevo, you are sure to come across imposing beauty of the Cathedral Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos, a Serbian orthodox chapel.
