The oldest traces of human life in the Visegrad area date back to the Illyrian period, around 1500 BC. During this time, these areas were inhabited by Illyrian tribes, among which were the Autariat and Ardijei tribes. Their presence is confirmed by archaeological findings, including tombs in the vicinity of Visegrad, which testify to the developed culture and social structures of that period. Later, in the Roman period, this area became part of the Roman province “Malavico”, which included most of the Balkans. Roman infrastructure, such as the “Via Drina” road that passed through the Drina valley, played an important role in connecting the Roman Empire. At that time, Germanic Saxon miners came to these areas, and the name Visegrad is associated with their settlement; one part of the city today bears the name “Sase”, which reminds of their cultural influence.
In Zupa, downstream from Visegrad, Roman coins were found, among which the coins of emperors Constantine I and II stand out, which indicates a long-term Roman presence in this region. Archaeological research conducted by the National Museum in Sarajevo in 1966 in the village of Musici revealed the remains of Slovenian ceramics from the 6th and 7th centuries. These findings clearly indicate the settlement of Slavs in the region, which marks the beginning of a new cultural and ethnic phase in this area.
In addition to Roman and Slavic finds, Visegrad is also rich in medieval cultural heritage. In the surrounding localities, there are stećci, medieval monuments carved in stone, and the most famous ones are in Velika and Mala Gostilja. These stećci belong to the period when the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina was inhabited by members of medieval tribes, and reflect the complexity and different cultural influences of that time.
Visegrad’s strategic position and turbulent history
Due to its exceptional geographical and strategic position, Visegrad has been the object of interest of many conquerors throughout history, which significantly shaped its development. During the reign of Stefan Nemanja, Visegrad and the wider surrounding areas became part of the Serbian state, which laid the foundations for the subsequent political development of the Balkans. In the middle of the 14th century, Visegrad came under the rule of the Serbian prefect Nikola Altomanovic, and soon after, at the end of that century, the Bosnian king Tvrtko I occupied this area and annexed it to the Bosnian kingdom.
Visegrad was mentioned for the first time in written sources in 1427, when it was under the rule of the powerful Serbian noble family Pavlovic. Under their rule, the nearby town of Dobrun was also an important cultural and political center. Today, on the top of the hill above the Drina, you can see the ruins of the old town, known as Pavlovina, after Duke Pavlo Radenkovic, who governed this region. These ruins consist of two parts: the “Upper Town” and the “Lower Town”, and on the inaccessible rocks above the Drina, there is a tower known by folklore as the “Tower of Kraljevic Marko”. This tower, which served as an observation post, was crucial for the defense of the region against attacks, while during the Turkish occupation it was buried with stones to prevent the escape of bandits and rebels.
Turkish rule and development of Visegrad
The Turkish occupation of Visegrad began before 1462, and the city remained under the rule of the Ottoman Empire for more than four centuries. During the Turkish rule, Visegrad became an important administrative and commercial center, and the city was built in accordance with the Ottoman urban planning tradition. As written by the Turkish travel writer Evlija Celebija, Mehmed Pasha built the lower part of the city in 1577, which became the basic settlement around the bridge. The name “Visegrad” itself comes from the fact that the settlement existed on a higher location above the city, which shaped the current name.
Visegrad became an important commercial and cultural center, with a large number of mosques, khans, bazaars and other public buildings. Turkish influence has shaped life in this region over the centuries, both through administrative and military control, as well as through cultural and religious aspects.
Austro-Hungarian rule and modernization
After Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Visegrad, came under the control of Austria-Hungary in 1878 after the Congress of Berlin, the city underwent significant modernization. The Austro-Hungarians built a water network, introduced land registers, laid the foundations for the development of industry and built a railway that connected Visegrad with the rest of the monarchy. These changes contributed to the urbanization of the city and the introduction of new technologies, which made Visegrad an important center in the Balkans.
The rule of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and other world wars
After the First World War, Visegrad became part of the newly formed Kingdom of Yugoslavia, within which it was part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the Second World War, the city suffered great destruction, and numerous historical buildings, including the Visegrad Bridge, were badly damaged. The horrors of war left a deep mark on this region, but also on Visegrad itself, which had to face the consequences of the occupation and battles between different armies.
Contemporary Visegrad and its status in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Today, Visegrad is part of Republika Srpska, one of the two entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city faces the challenges of modernization, preservation of cultural heritage and development of tourism. One of the most famous symbols of Visegrad is certainly the Visegrad Bridge, a bridge that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition, the city is known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, stećci, Andrićgrad, as historical monuments that bear witness to its turbulent past.
Visegrad today, although subject to the challenges of modern times, preserves its specific charm and continues to be a lively center of the rich history, culture and tradition of the Balkans.
