Visit the remains of the medieval city of Bobovac

Bobovac is a fortified city of medieval Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located near today’s Vareš and the village of Borovica. Thanks to its location on the steep terraced rock on the south slopes of the gigantic mountain massif of Dragovske and Mijakovske Poljice Mountains  Bobovac Caste was the best fortified Medieval town of Bosnia. It was a target of numerous invaders because of its geo-strategical, military and political significance.

The city was built during the reign of Stephen II, Ban of Bosnia, and was first mentioned in a document dating from 1349. It shared the role of seat of the rulers of Bosnia with Kraljeva Sutjeska, however Bobovac was much better fortified than the other.  The crown of Bosnian Kings were kept in Bobovac Castle. There was a Royal chapel in Bobovac Castle which is believed to be the ancient church of Bobovac that had been reconstructed by the order of Bosnian King Ostoja. Three Bosnian Kings were buried in the Bobovac Chapel – Stjepan Ostoja, Tvrtko II Kotromanić and Stjepan Tomašević.

Bosnian King Stephen Tomašević moved the royal seat to Jajce during his war with the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans invaded the city in 1463. Its fall hastened the Ottoman conquest of Bosnia.Ottoman Turks conquered Bobovac Castle in May 21 1463 after only three days of siege.  After the conquest of the Bobovac Fortress, Turks demolished it, to restore later some parts of the castle which were significant for their stay inside it. Turkish forces remained in Bobovac Fortress until 1626 when it was abandoned, since it lost its previous strategical significance because Turks were invading towards the north and left Bobovac Castle out of their interest deep in the background. The Royal chapel of Bobovac Fortress had been restored in some unprofessional manner so its significance diminished.

Bobovac is now a protected cultural site.