NEW RULES IN TREBINJE’S OLD TOWN: NO MORE FLASHY ADVERTISEMENTS

All advertising content in the historic center of Trebinje will in the future have to be fully aligned with the authentic atmosphere of the city’s Old Town. Under the new rules, advertisements must be made from natural materials and cannot include illuminated or visually intrusive elements.

PHOTO: Stari grad / TO Trebinje

The decision was adopted by the city council through amendments to the regulations on advertising, which now prescribe special conditions for the use of advertising media within the Old Town area. The updated rules clearly define the permitted types of advertisements and the way they may be installed.

According to the new provisions, advertisements must be discreet and harmonized with the appearance of the buildings on which they are placed. They must be made exclusively from wood, wrought metal, or other natural materials, with traditional-style typography. Plastic materials, bright colors, and any form of illuminated screens will no longer be allowed.

PROTECTING HISTORICAL HERITAGE

The main objective of these measures is the preservation of the cultural and historical heritage of the Old Town and the protection of its architectural and ambient values.

“The goal is to safeguard the cultural and historical identity of the Old Town by aligning the appearance of advertising media with the environmental, architectural, and historical values of the area. Oversized and visually inappropriate advertisements damage the appearance of historic spaces, reduce their cultural value, and disrupt the overall ambiance,” said Amerisa Zavitan Jeftović.

Trebinje councilors also agreed to amend the decision on municipal fees, introducing significantly higher tariffs for businesses involved in organizing games of chance.

Under the new rules, municipal fees for slot machine clubs will increase from 8,000 to 15,000 KM, for betting shops from 5,000 to 10,000 KM, and for lottery outlets from 3,500 to 5,000 KM. Apart from Bihać, only a few local communities in the country have implemented similar measures.

A CITY WITH A RICH HISTORY

The Old Town of Trebinje, known as Kastel Old Town, was established during the Ottoman period as a strategic settlement in Herzegovina. Its construction was prompted by major geopolitical changes following the fall of Herceg Novi and Risan to Venetian control during the wars with the Holy League between 1683 and 1699.

The town was built on the right bank of the Trebišnjica River above the deepest part of the river known as Ban-vir, named after a local legend about a ban who drowned in the whirlpool.

A key role in the development of the fortress town was played by Osman‑paša Resulbegović, who initiated major construction works in 1714. Craftsmen from Dubrovnik were brought in, while laborers came from surrounding areas such as Ljubinje, Cernica and Nikšić.

During that period, the city walls were expanded, a defensive canal connected to the Trebišnjica was dug, and several important structures were built, including the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Osman-paša’s Mosque, and the famous clock tower that still stands today.

Originally triangular in shape, the Old Town gradually developed into its current form with towers, walls, and fortifications during the first four decades of the 18th century. A drawbridge once stood at the main gate, crossing a canal that was later filled in during 1932 on the recommendation of Dr. Levi due to concerns about the spread of infectious diseases.