Meet Livno – Blend of Dalmatian, Ottoman and Socialist Culture

Livno is an interesting blend of Dalmatian, Ottoman and socialist structures. From the beginning to the end of Ottoman rule in Livno was built as many as 14 mosques, more than that, except in Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka, was only in Travnik. All this tells enough about importance of Livno during the Ottoman rule.

As in elsewhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around Livno archaeological excavations have uncovered human settlements from over 4,000 years ago. Only in the area of Livno plain is known 30 prehistoric ruins. Life is therefore flourished and a couple of thousand years ago, but since that time remained only a slight trace. It is very likely that the indigenous Illyrian tribes built the first fortifications atop these cliffs, and later the Romans, Slavs and Turks strengthened. The town, with the remains of the antique architecture and the Old Town from the 9th century, first mentioned in 892, developed at the crossroads of roads between the Adriatic coast and inland, i.e, regions of Bosnia, Dalmatia, Herzegovina and Krajina.

What to see in Livno

The Medieval Necropolis above Begovaca

In the necropolis are dozens of ‘stecak’ in the form of flat plate and a single high among them. On the ‘stecci’ are nice visible tombstones from all sides, which is a rarity.

Franciscan Monastery and Gallery

Construction of the church began in the mid of the 19th century. The church was painted by the great master Marco Antonini and it is no wonder that each pattern is flawless. This is certainly one of the most beautiful churches in our country. As a part of the Franciscan monastery of St Peter and Paul in Gorica are situated Franciscan Museum and Gallery of Gorica in which chronologically follows the continuity of historical events: from the Celts and Illyrians, the Romans, and Croats from immigration to the present day.

In the Gallery is exposed a permanent exhibition of the works of Gabrijel Jurkic from Livno. Jurkic is one of the most famous painters in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The museum is hiding hundreds of paintings and drawings by the great Gabrijel Jurkic.

The Orthodox Church in Livno

Construction of the church began in 1859 and is dedicated to the Assumption of Virgin Mary. The Orthodox Church in Livno is hiding around 80 icons some of which are much older than the church even from the 15th and 16th centuries, and they came from all over the world from Jerusalem to Venice. Now, that is the most valuable collections in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Square in Livno and Veiz Tower

At the square in Livno is well-known obelisk, built in memory of a first thousand years of the first Croatian king Tomislav 925-1925.

From the square at the obelisk you can see Veiz tower. To the tower you can climb on foot or come quite close to the tower with car. There is, of course, many towers in Livno, but from the city you can see only Veiz tower. Veiz tower is considered the oldest of all the towers, and the reason why is still upright, although not restored, probably lies in the fact that it has 4 meters thick walls.

Mosque Curcinica

Interior of the mosque is far from what you are used to see if you going to the mosque or what to expect. Modern in every way, it’s spacious without frills on the white surfaces. The mosque was renovated in 2017 with a daring and quite avant-garde architectural design.

Beglek Mosque or Lala Pasha Mosque

The mosque dates from the end of 16th century. The specialty of the Beglek mosque is sundial at the minaret. It is actually line cut into the rock and when the shadow of the vertical edge of the minaret is aligned with the line it is a sign that the counter clockwise coincide at noon.

Busatlija Mosque

The panel above the entrance to the mosque talking about the renovation of the mosque in 1875 and everything before that is unknown.

Hadzi Ahmet Dukator Mosque

This mosque is located the very best place, so it is not surprising to think that is the oldest of all the mosques in Livno. It was made at the beginning of Ottoman rule in the region. Mosque is adorned with big dome over the main part and with the three smaller domes.

Spring of River Bistrica

Ottomans built a lovely stone bridge over the river Bistrica. The force of the water from the caves made it an ideal location for the construction of the mills.   Visit spring of Bistrica is “must do” in Livno.

What to do in Livno

Paragliding

The high mountains that surround the large fields (Livno plain, Tomislavgrad plain and Kupres plain) with good air circulation provide ideal conditions for paragliding.

Hiking

For lovers of hiking each year, from April to November, on several occasions during every month, especially during the summer held the mountain hikes on the surrounding mountains Cincar, Vran, Cvrsnica and Dinara.

Hunting and Fishing

Hunting at the Livno area is organized into six hunting grounds, and if you like fishing, you will find the shelter resting along the rivers with crystal clear water rich in fish and river crabs, or at the Busko Lake that is the largest artificial lake in Europe.

Hanging with Wild Horses

At the vast stretches of untouched nature of Livno plain, on a plateau Krug, only ten kilometres from Livno, relaxing peace impairs gallop of over two hundred wild horses! Those that road leads to the area of Kruzi, from Koricina to Borova glava (Pine Head), will be impressed by the breath-taking sight of a herd of wild horses, who are looking for a good grass, salt and water daily cross the dozens of kilometres.

Gastronomy

Cheese

Livno has a long tradition of making the famous Livno cheese. They began to make cheese in 1885 on the model of production technology of French Gruyère cheese. You do not have to come in Livno to buy it, but if you buy here you’ll know that you have a real, genuine, Livno cheese. This cheese goes perfectly with the extraordinary bottle of red wine and Herzegovinian homemade prosciutto.