Discover Kalesija – Where Heritage Meets Renewal
Kalesija is a municipality in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, part of the Tuzla Canton, with around 36,700 inhabitants. Known as a crossroads of cultures and traditions, it has a history that stretches back to the 12th century, with traces of medieval settlements, Ottoman mosques, and a 16th-century Orthodox church. Under Austro-Hungarian rule, the area developed with schools, roads, railways, and industry, while in modern times Kalesija holds a special place as the first town in BiH to be liberated during the 1992–1995 war.
Its cultural and historical heritage includes the 400-year-old Atik Mosque, old mosques along the historic “Pasha’s Road”, the Orthodox church in Dubnica, and over a hundred medieval Stećci tombstones dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. Remains of ancient fortresses in Gojčin, Zolje–Jajići, and Pješavica further reflect the area’s deep historical roots. Today, Kalesija is a town of resilience and renewal, where history and tradition blend with a vision for the future.
Economic Overview
Traditionally, agriculture has dominated the Kalesija region. The former agricultural company “Spreča” once managed a modern farm and extensive crop production, mainly cereals. After its closure, numerous smaller producers emerged, focusing on milk, beef, poultry, and lamb, as well as various crops. New orchards of plums, apples, pears, and strawberries have been planted, along with smaller-scale vegetable production.
In the field of industry, manufacturing plays the leading role, including metal processing, cardboard and plastic packaging production, printing, wood processing, furniture production, PVC, aluminum, and wooden joinery, as well as the production of decorative stone, concrete pipes, and concrete goods.
The most significant contribution to exports comes from steel forgings (mainly to the German market), furniture (to Western markets), and plastic and nylon packaging (to Middle Eastern and Far Eastern markets). Among services, the most notable sectors include trade, hospitality, crafts, passenger and freight transport, construction services, accounting, design, banking, micro-credit institutions, legal services, and taxi transport.
Economy and Natural Resources
Kalesija is a dynamic municipality in northeastern Bosnia, where agriculture, industry, and services all play an important role. Local farms produce milk, meat, fruit, and vegetables, while industries include metal processing, furniture, packaging, and wood products. Several leading companies, alongside numerous small and medium enterprises, drive the local economy and exports to Europe and beyond.
The region is rich in natural resources, located in the upper Spreča River valley and surrounded by fertile fields, orchards, pastures, and forested hills. The town of Kalesija sits at the center, with elevations ranging from 450 to 883 meters, offering scenic landscapes and a mild continental climate. Well-connected by roads and railways, the municipality combines economic potential with natural beauty.
Municipal Attorney’s Office
The Municipal Attorney’s Office of Kalesija ensures legal protection of the Municipality’s property and financial interests, as well as those of public enterprises, local communities, and other entities under municipal jurisdiction. It provides expert advice on property-related matters, reviews contracts, and represents the Municipality and associated entities in court and administrative proceedings.
The Office is led by the Municipal Attorney, supported by a Deputy and Assistants, and operates efficiently to coordinate with other municipal authorities. All staff are qualified legal professionals with experience in property law, judicial work, or public administration. The Office is funded through the municipal budget and plays a key role in safeguarding legality and public interests.
Kalesija is a municipality where rich history, cultural heritage, natural beauty, and a dynamic economy come together, creating a community rooted in tradition yet looking confidently toward the future.
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