THE LEGENDARY “ĆIRO” RETURNS TO DERVENTA AFTER 58 YEARS

DERVENTA – After an absence of 58 years, the legendary narrow-gauge steam locomotive “Ćiro” has returned to Derventa, bringing a cherished piece of the town’s railway heritage back to life.

The locomotive, which last passed through Derventa in 1968, has been successfully installed at the site of the former First Directorate of the Railways of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It will become the centerpiece of a future open-air complex dedicated to the town’s rich railway history.

The arrival of “Ćiro” attracted numerous residents, who gathered to witness the locomotive being carefully lowered onto the tracks. Many captured the historic moment with cameras and mobile phones, celebrating the return of a symbol that once played a vital role in the community.

For older generations, the event was an emotional reminder of the days when the narrow-gauge railway shaped everyday life in Derventa. At the same time, the project will offer younger visitors an opportunity to learn about an important chapter of the town’s past.

Derventa Mayor Igor Žunić said that the installation of the locomotive marks only the beginning of a much larger project aimed at transforming the area into a unique historical attraction.

"The project will continue with the redevelopment of the entire site in a setting that reflects the railway era. It will include a platform reminiscent of that period and will essentially become an open-air Museum of Derventa's Railway History," Žunić said, as quoted by local media outlet Derventa Cafe.

The locomotive now stands at the site of the former First Directorate of the Railways of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was established in Derventa on September 10, 1878, highlighting the town's long-standing importance in the region's railway development.