Banja Luka, also spelled Banjaluka, is a city in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It lies along the Vrbas River at its confluence with the Vrbanja. It serves as the capital of the Republika Srpska entity.
Under the Ottoman Turks, Banja Luka (“Baths of St. Luke”) was an important military centre and the original location (1583–1639) of the seat of the Bosnian paşalik (territory governed by a pasha). Its commercial prosperity declined following fires and plagues in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the 19th century Banja Luka played an important part in the uprisings of the Bosnians against Turkey, as well as in the revolts of the Serbs. The city’s economy revived under the rule of Austria-Hungary (1878–1918). During World War II, the city and surrounding area were a centre of Partisan resistance while part of the Axis-created state of Croatia. After 1945 a new industrial section of the city was developed. Banja Luka was seriously damaged by an earthquake in 1969 and subsequently underwent extensive rebuilding.
Banja Luka is well known in the countries of the Former Yugoslavia for being full of tree-lined avenues, boulevards, gardens and parks.
In one of these green areas, located in the district of Nova Varos, the Banja Luka Challenger takes place. Right in the middle of the Park Mladen Stojanovic, named after a partisan hero from World War II.
The city’s most stunning building might be the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Works for this Orthodox Church, which is also one of the tallest monuments in Banja Luka, were completed in 2009. It has replaced a church from the 1920s, which was destroyed by German air force in the spring of 1941.
The relatively poorly preserved fortress “Kastel” is found in the City Centre. This mediaeval castle is one of Banja Luka’s main attractions. Located on the left bank of the Vrbas River, it gives a specific charm to the city. During the summer, music concerts take place in the fortress.
The surrounding area also boasts a number of popular tourist attractions. Among the most famous are the pools, thermal springs, and spas in the region. Due to its parks and over 10.000 trees Banja Luka was once nicknamed the “Green City”. The area is popular among nature lovers, while the City Centre is attractive to tourists due to its historical structures and many restaurants.