Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Region: Bijeljina

---

Geographic Coordinates: 44.750000, 19.216700

Population: 114663

Language: Bosnian

---

Bijeljina is a city located in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, Situated on the banks of the Sava River. It is the fifth largest city in Republika Srpska, One of two entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times, With archaeological evidence showing that it was inhabited by Illyrians, Romans, And Slavs. During World War II, Bijeljina was occupied by Nazi forces and became a site of resistance against their occupation.

The town suffered significant damage during the Bosnian War in the 1990s when it was besieged by Croatian forces for several months. However, Today Bijeljina has recovered from its turbulent past and is now a thriving cultural hub. One of the most important landmarks in Bijeljina is the Gradski Park (City Park), Which covers an area of over 10 hectares. It features walking paths lined with trees and flowers as well as playgrounds for children. Visitors can also enjoy concerts or cultural events at one of its open-air stages.

Another popular attraction is Monastery Tavna which dates back to 14th century AD when it was built by Serbian King Stefan Dušan Nemanjić as his endowment . Today this monastery serves as an important religious center for Orthodox Christians who come here to pray or attend religious ceremonies. The Bijeljina City Museum provides visitors with an insight into local history through its collection of artifacts from different periods such as ancient Roman coins or traditional costumes worn during Ottoman rule over Bosnia-Herzegovina. For those who love nature, Kozara National Park is just an hour’s drive away from Bijeljina.

This park offers stunning views over rolling hills covered with forests that are home to various wildlife species including deer or foxes . , Bijeljina may not be the most well-known tourist destination in Bosnia and Herzegovina, But it is certainly worth a visit. With its rich history, Beautiful parks, And cultural attractions, Bijeljina offers visitors a unique glimpse into the country’s past while also providing plenty of opportunities for relaxation and outdoor adventures.

---

---

• Monastery Tronosha – a Serbian Orthodox monastery located about 20 km from Bijeljina.
• Ethno village Stanisici – a traditional Bosnian village with authentic architecture, cuisine, and crafts.
• City Park – a public park in the center of Bijeljina that features walking paths, benches, fountains, and playgrounds.
• Church of St Peter and Paul – a Catholic church built in the early 20th century with beautiful stained glass windows.
• Museum of Semberija – a local history museum that showcases the cultural heritage of Semberija region.
• Sports Hall Mejdan – an indoor sports arena that hosts various sports events and concerts throughout the year.
• Memorial Complex Batkovic – a former concentration camp during World War II that now serves as a memorial to victims of fascism.
• Tavna Monastery – another Serbian Orthodox monastery located on the outskirts of Bijeljina with stunning frescoes inside its church.

---

1. Agriculture:
   • Bijeljina is located in an area that is rich in fertile soil, making it an ideal location for agriculture.
   • The city’s main crops include wheat, corn, soybeans, sunflowers, fruits (such as apples and plums), vegetables (such as peppers), and livestock.
2. Manufacturing:
   • Bijeljina has a number of manufacturing companies that produce products such as textiles, furniture, metal products, construction materials (such as bricks), plastics, chemicals (such as fertilizers), and food processing.
3. Energy:
   • The city has several hydroelectric power plants along the Drina River.
4. Retail:
   • There are numerous retail stores throughout the city selling clothing, electronics, household goods and groceries.
5. Services:
   • The service sector includes banking services like Raiffeisen Bank Bosna i Hercegovina d.d., insurance services like Wiener osiguranje VIG doo Sarajevo – Podružnica Bijeljina etc., health care services like Dom zdravlja Dr Milenko Marin Bijeljina etc., tourism industry with hotels like Hotel Drina or Motel Alem etc.
6. Transportation:
   • The transportation sector includes railway transport with Železnice Republike Srpske – ŽRS železnički saobraćaj a.d.Banja Luka – Regionalni centar za putnički saobraćaj-Bijeljana or autobuska stanica Bijeljinа etc.

---

1. World War II: During World War II, Bijeljina was occupied by the Axis powers, and many local residents joined the Partisan resistance movement.
2. Yugoslav Wars: During the 1990s, Bijeljina was a site of intense fighting during the Bosnian War. The town was captured by Serb forces in April 1992, leading to widespread violence against non-Serb residents.
3. Milan Nedić: Milan Nedić was a Serbian general who served as Prime Minister of the German puppet state of Serbia during World War II. He spent his final years in exile in Bijeljina before committing suicide in 1946.
4. Zoran Đinđić: Zoran Đinđić was a Serbian politician who served as Prime Minister of Serbia from 2001 until his assassination in March 2003. He spent part of his childhood in Bijeljina.
5. Radovan Karadžić: Radovan Karadžić is a former Bosnian Serb politician who served as President of Republika Srpska during the Bosnian War. He is currently serving a life sentence for war crimes and genocide committed during that conflict.
6. Svetozar Ćorović: Svetozar Ćorović was a prominent Serbian historian and writer who spent part of his childhood in Bijeljina before moving to Belgrade.
7. Mladen Stojanović: Mladen Stojanović is a former professional basketball player from Bosnia and Herzegovina who played for several teams throughout Europe during his career.
8. Momčilo Krajišnik: Momčilo Krajišnik is a former Bosnian Serb politician who served as Speaker of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska during the Bosnian War. He was convicted of war crimes and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
9. Dragan Mektić: Dragan Mektić is a Bosnian Serb politician who currently serves as Minister of Security for Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was born in Bijeljina in 1966.
10. Ivo Andrić: Although not directly associated with Bijeljina, Ivo Andrić was a prominent Yugoslav writer and diplomat who spent much of his childhood in nearby Višegrad, which is located just south of Bijeljina along the Drina River. Andrić won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1961.

---

1. The Bijeljina City Museum showcases the rich history and culture of the city and its surrounding region.
2. The Church of St. Peter and Paul is an impressive Serbian Orthodox church that was built in the early 20th century.
3. Monastery Tavna is a stunning Orthodox monastery that is nestled in the hills outside of Bijeljina.
4. Gallery Sava Šumanović is a modern art gallery that features works by local artists as well as international exhibitions.
5. The Memorial Park Košuta is a park dedicated to fallen soldiers from World War II, with several monuments and memorials on site.
6. The Monument to Fallen Soldiers in Bijeljina, located in the city center, serves as a tribute to those who lost their lives during various conflicts throughout Bosnia’s history.
7. The Old Bridge on Sava River is an iconic bridge that spans over Sava river connecting two parts of Bijeljina.
8. Kozara National Park, which is located about 70 km from Bijeljina, offers stunning natural beauty with hiking trails, waterfalls, caves, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
9. Etno Village Stanisici provides visitors with a unique cultural experience by recreating traditional Bosnian village life through workshops for traditional crafts like pottery making or weaving baskets.
10. The Memorial Center Batkovic serves as a reminder of atrocities committed during Bosnian war; it’s located near Batkovic concentration camp where thousands of Bosniak civilians were imprisoned during the war.

---

---

1. FK Radnik Bijeljina – This professional football club was founded in 1945 and plays in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The team has won several domestic titles, including the Republic of Srpska Cup.
2. RK Borac m:tel Bijeljina – This handball club was founded in 1953 and has won numerous domestic titles, including the Bosnian Handball Championship.
3. KK Bratunac Bijeljina – This basketball club was founded in 1998 and plays in the First League of Republika Srpska. The team has won several regional championships.
4. ŽOK Bimal-Jedinstvo Bijeljina – This women’s volleyball club was founded in 1996 and plays in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The team has won multiple national championships.

Overall, sports play an essential role within the community of Bijeljina, with many residents supporting their local teams by attending matches regularly.

---

---

1. Bijeljina Summer Festival is an annual cultural and entertainment event held in July. It showcases music concerts, theater performances, art exhibitions, and sports competitions.
2. The International Festival of Children’s Folklore Ensembles is a celebration of traditional folk dances and songs performed by children from different countries around the world.
3. Bijeljina Fair is an agricultural fair held every year in September. It showcases local products such as fruits, vegetables, livestock, and crafts.
4. St. George’s Day Celebration is a religious holiday observed on May 6th with church services followed by traditional food and drink offerings to honor the patron saint of Bijeljina.
5. Days of Serbian Culture is an event held in October featuring exhibitions of Serbian art and culture including music concerts, dance performances, film screenings, and literary readings.
6. The International Film Festival Bijeli Brijeg is a festival dedicated to promoting independent cinema from Bosnia-Herzegovina and other Balkan countries with screenings of feature films documentaries short films animation movies etc
7. Bijeljina Beer Fest is a beer festival that takes place at the end of July which offers visitors various types of beers from all over the world along with live music performances

---

• Ćevapi – grilled minced meat served with bread, onions, and kaymak (cream).
• Sarma – stuffed cabbage rolls filled with minced meat and rice.
• Kajmak – a creamy dairy product similar to clotted cream or sour cream.
• Burek – a type of pastry filled with cheese, spinach, or meat.
• Ražnjići – skewered grilled meat usually made from pork or beef.

Some popular restaurants in Bijeljina include:

• Restoran Zlatna Kruna
• Restoran Doncafe
• Restoran Evropa
• Restoran Stari Grad
• Restoran Kod Juge

---



Parks and Recreation

1. Park Petar Kočić is a large park that offers walking paths, benches, and playgrounds for children to enjoy.
2. The Sports and Recreation Center Bijeljina provides various sports activities such as football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, swimming pool and gym facilities.
3. Sava River Promenade is a beautiful scenic promenade along the Sava river that has benches and green spaces for relaxation.
4. Bijeljina City Beach is a popular spot during the summer months where people can swim or sunbathe.
5. Ethno Village Stanisici is an open-air museum featuring traditional architecture and local crafts that visitors can experience.
6. Bijeljina Zoo houses various species of animals including exotic birds, monkeys, reptiles and big cats for visitors to observe.
7. Bijeljina Cultural Center hosts cultural events such as concerts, theater performances and exhibitions throughout the year for locals and tourists alike to enjoy.
8. Memorial Park Kapija serves as a tribute to the victims of war in Bosnia Herzegovina with a memorial monument on site that people can visit in remembrance.
9. Stari Grad (Old Town) is an area rich in history featuring buildings from Ottoman Empire period that are now used as souvenir shops or cafes/restaurants for visitors to explore.
10. River Drina beach located in nearby town Janja provides an ideal location for swimming or fishing on hot summer days when people want to cool off or relax by the water’s edge.

---



Pack Your Bags!

---