PHOTO WALK THROUGH BRATAČ – THROUGH THE LENS OF BORIS TROGRANČIĆ

Renowned photographer Boris Trogrančić recently visited eastern Herzegovina, capturing the charm of Bratač, a picturesque village near Nevesinje, which has been recognized as one of the 17 most beautiful villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of a sustainable tourism development project.

PHOTO: Boris Trogrančić

“As a photographer, I am always thrilled by every new journey within Bosnia and Herzegovina and the opportunity to explore the unique beauty of our country,” said Trogrančić.

His photograph of the Ovčiji Brod Bridge near Nevesinje recently won third place in a competition organized by the Tourist Organization of the Republic of Srpska, competing among more than 650 entries.

Beyond this bridge—designated as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina—the village of Bratač offers a wealth of cultural and historical landmarks.

Ovčiji Brod was built in the 17th century on the site of an ancient Roman bridge spanning the Zalomka River, one of the largest sinking rivers in the Dinaric karst region and in Europe. Nearby are the remains of a Roman road, while the wider area is rich in stećci (medieval tombstones), mounds, and hillforts dating back to the Illyrian period.

Bratač is home to over 200 medieval stećci, many of which are exceptionally well-preserved. Visitors can also find stone-built cisterns and spring captations from the Austro-Hungarian era, offering a glimpse into the village’s layered history.

Surrounded by the Velež and Crvanj mountains, the village is not only a haven of natural beauty but also of living tradition.

A notable highlight of Bratač’s cultural heritage is the famous Nevesinje Olympics, held here since 1875, which is inscribed on the preliminary list of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s intangible cultural heritage.

Trogrančić’s lens captures more than landscapes—it reflects the spirit of Herzegovina’s timeless connection between nature, history, and tradition.