Tomislavgrad is a town and municipality in southwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina and also seat of the Assembly of Canton 10. Tomislavgrad is in the northern Herzegovina region in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city name means literally “Tomislav town”. The name was changed from Duvno in 1925 by king Aleksandar Karađorđević in tribute to king Tomislav – who was crowned in this area in 925 as the king of Croatia. The name was restored to Duvno after World War II Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. During the 1990s it was once again changed to Tomislavgrad. Still, among inhabitants osf Bosnia and Herzegovina, the local residents are often referred as “Duvnjaci” (Duvniaks-inhabitants) and the town is often called Duvno. Also, the town is sometimes referred to simply as “Tomislav”. The Roman Catholic diocese in that area is still called Mostar-Duvno. During the Roman Empire the city was called Delminium and during the Kingdom of Croatia, Županjac. Under the Ottoman Empire, it was called Županj-potok and in Austria-Hungary, Županjac
Duvanjski vremeplov
Tomislavgrad, odnosno cjelokupan duvanjski kraj područje je iznimno bogate, ali i burne povijesti. Prema arheološkim istraživanjima čovjek se na području Duvanjskog polja pojavio u pretpovijesti, tijekom neolitika (oko 6500.-3500. g. pr. Kr.), dok arheološki ostaci nepobitno potvrđuju kako je duvanjski kraj bio naseljen u eneolitiku (oko 3500.-2200. g. pr. Kr.).
The people of Tomislavgrad are proud of their rich history, especially with the coronation of king Tomislav in 925 in The Field of Duvno (“Duvanjsko polje”) which is the reason why Tomislavgrad is often referred to as the royal town.
Stelae (Stećci)
Necropolises in The Field of Duvno (“Duvanjsko polje”) stand out with their grace. You can find them in villages: “Sarajlije”, “Zidine”, “Letka”, “Lipa”and “Mandino Selo”.
Basilica of Duvno, Monastery and the Museum
Basilica of Duvno is considered to be one of the main sights of the town. Visitors can sit in a peaceful yard in front of the basilica and just enjoy. The interior is decorated by the painting “Jesus, friend of the little children” (Isus prijatelj malenih) painted by a worldwide known artist Vlaho Bukovac.
In the same yard visitors will find the Franciscan Museum, the Franciscan Library, the Gallery of the Museum and the Exhibition of Ancient Elephant.
The underground world of the Field of Duvno (“Duvanjsko polje”) – speleology
More than 200 speleological objects: pits, caves, sinkholes can be found in the mountain massifs around the Field of Duvno (“Duvanjsko polje”) and the Buško Lake (“Buško jezero”).
The speleological association in Tomislavgrad “The Palace of Mijat” (“Mijatovi dvori”) brings us to better understanding of hydrological, geological and physical processes, but it also introduces us with the special values of the underground in our karstic terrain.
“Dahna cave”
The cave that has almost everything. It is a magnificent archaeological finding and even better paleontological site. Estimated age of the remains of bears found here is from 5000 to even 20000 years.
Built on its own – “Veliki Samograd”
In the karst of Duvno, in the deep ravine of the mountain “Grabovica”, there is a deep sinkhole which is 190 m long, 110 m wide and 40 to 60 m deep.
Hiking
Mountaineering association “Orlova stina” takes more than 170 km of hiking trails, some of which are extremely challenging while others are good for a pleasant gentle walks.
The most famous trails:
“The King’s Trail” (“Kraljevska staza”)
“One Million Steps Walk” (“Put od milijun koraka”)
–part of the “Via Dinarica” trail which connects the most of the natural and cultural sights, as well as the mountaineering associations of Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Serbia and Kosovo, op.a.).
“The route of Our Lady of Sinj” (“Staza Gospi Sinjskoj”) – starts at the Franciscan abbey in Rama Šćit, goes through Tomislavgrad and Solin to Sinj.
“The Buško Lake” (Buško jezero)
“The Buško Lake” on the altitude of 700 m is the greatest artificial lake in this part of Europe.
During the summer months the water of lake is fairly warm and suitable for swimming. The lake is favourable for almost all sports which require wind and the surrounding mountains give visitors the opportunity for hiking and resting in mountain huts.
People who enjoy fishing regularly visit the Lake.
Nature Park “Blidinje” (Park prirode Blidinje)
The Blidinje Lake (Blidinje jezero), placed between mountains “Čvrsnica”, and “Vran”, is one of the most stunning sights in this area.
Nature Park “Blidinje” offers various tourist attractions including numerous mountaineering, skiing and biking trails and together with rich gastronomic offer every year they attract more and more visitors.
Culture and Information Centre Tomislavgrad
Beside private exhibitions, promotions, plays and popular Acting and dancing school, Culture and Information Centre is a great place for individual exhibitions, plays and artist’s performances that come from different places and cultural institutions.
Some of the most known events that happen for several years are:
Presentation of traditional costumes and contest for the most beautiful Croatian woman in a traditional costume outside the Republic of Croatia is a famous event that connects Croats from all over the world and promotes shared traditional culture.
Days of Saint Nikola Tavelić are a central spiritual and cultural event organized by several cultural institutions and the Municipality of Tomislavgrad.
Do you want to experience Tomislavgrad, enjoy stunning architecture, picturesque views on Duvanjsko field, and learn all about its rich history? Contact us.
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