THE ROAD TO BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Written by MOTORBIKE EUROPE Road Writers -
A motorcycle trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina, is a trip to a country with a long and sad story. But also a trip into an incredibly beautiful country, with a unique natural environment. Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except the south which shares a coastline to the Adriatic. The bordering countries are Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia in the east.
Bosnia-Herzegovina was under Ottoman rule from 1415-1878. In the aftermath of the Turkish conquest, a big part of the Bosnian population converted to Islam, in contrast to the populations of the other places in the Balkans. Bosnian Muslims thrived under the Ottoman Empire.
In 1878, Bosnia and Herzegovina was governed by the Austro-Hungary Empire. One third of the population at that time, consisted of nationalist Serbs who opposed the government. It was the Serb student Gavrilo Princip, who shot the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Francis Ferdinand in Sarajevo in June, 1914, which led to the start of "World War I". In the "Balkan Wars" in the early '90s, a comprehensive ethnic cleansing was carried out. The purges were actually a war directed against civilian populations. Nationalist war criminals executed the biggest massacre in Europe since the Second World War.
If you're feeling particularly adventurous, try taking the "Leap of Faith" off the Stari Most Bridge, the 16th century Ottoman bridge spanning the Neretva River, in the city of Mostar. Not for those with a phobia for heights. Or water. Or flying.
You should also check out the "Tunnel Museum", near the airport in Sarajevo, built by the citizens of Sarajevo, between 1992 and 1995, to connect the Serbian-occupied city of Sarajevo, to the Airport.
THE DINARIC ALPS
Motorbike Europe highly recommends a ride in the Dinaric Alps. These Alps are located in the south and cut through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania. The Dinaric Alps run along the coast of the Adriatic. The highest mountain in the Dinaric Alps is the Prokletije, which lies on the border between Montenegro and Albania. The highest peak, Jezerca, is located 2,692 metres above sea level. Bosnia and Herzegovina must simply be experienced. Tell your GPS to take you through the mountains to Sarajevo, it’s a trip you’ll never regret.
