Old Town Vidoški above Stolac is one of the largest defensive fortresses in BiH

(Patria) - When you run out of ideas for trips to beautiful nature dotted with historical and cultural sites, take a look at the social networks of the ambassador of BiH's beauties, Boris Trogrančić.

This time, Boris's curiosity led him to the south of the country, where the Old Town Vidoški is located - a place you will find on a hill above the present-day center of Stolac.

The Old Town Vidoški, Boris tells Punkufer, represents one of the largest defensive fortresses in Bosnia and Herzegovina.



- In the 17th century, it had 13 towers and was considered the best-fortified city in Herzegovina.

It is located on a conical limestone hill. Its western slope, which leads to Zagrad, is called Šetnica.

The northern slope towards the city center is Carinska strana, and the eastern slope, towards Uzinovići, is named Križevac.

You can leave your car at the foot of the fortress, and then continue on foot for about 20 minutes to the plateau at the top.



It is wonderful that there is no trash, and everything is covered by cameras, which is certainly commendable. It is precisely at this fortress that the now well-known medieval fair called Stolačka tarča is held.

This fortress, on the left bank of the Bregava River, offers an impressive view of Stolac, Vidovo polje, the river, and the surrounding hills such as Hrgud, Komanji brdo, Ošanići, and Bašnik.

The national monument includes the lower and upper town, a central plateau with Austro-Hungarian buildings, and an access road 1,200 meters long, connecting the lower and upper gates.

The town is surrounded by thick stone walls and towers, made of hewn limestone blocks, and contains 10 water cisterns, magazines, and residential buildings - says Trogrančić.



The names Stolac and Vidoški, he explains, appear in historical sources until the end of the 19th century.

It is assumed that life in prehistoric times was concentrated in the northwestern part of the fortress, while archaeological findings indicate the existence of the ancient municipality of Diluntum and a late antique fortification.

- In the Middle Ages, the area of Stolac belonged to the Vidoši parish, and Vidovo polje is first mentioned in 1417. Stolac as a settlement is documented for the first time in 1420.

The town became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1465, and significant additions and repairs were carried out after the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699. The Stolac captaincy was founded at that time.



After the arrival of Austro-Hungarian rule in 1878, the old town was thoroughly renovated, and in 1888, a modern fortress was built on the remains of previous fortifications.

The Old Town of Stolac was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2003, preserving its rich history and testimony to the various cultures that left their mark here - adds Trogrančić.