About Bosanski Petrovac
Bosanski Petrovac is a town and municipality in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina, part of the Una-Sana Canton. Due to its location on major routes linking Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East, it has a favorable geopolitical position. It is well connected with Croatia and further European destinations, serving as a corridor toward key Adriatic ports such as Split, Šibenik, Zadar, and Rijeka.
The municipality lies at 664 m above sea level, surrounded by the mountains Grmeč, Osječenica, Klekovača, Risovac, and Cava. Rich forests dominate the landscape and represent the basis of the local economy, while the plateau is characterized by karst terrain with very few water sources.
The area offers excellent conditions for mountain and hunting tourism, especially around Grmeč and the Oštrelj pass, known since ancient times as a climatic health resort. Traditional handicrafts, particularly handmade carpets (ćilimi), are also notable.
Key facts:
- Area: 750 km²
- Population: 15,621 (1991); est. 7,099
- Municipal Mayor: Dr. Mahmut Jukić
- Land use: 36% agricultural land, 64% forests (about 25% of all forests in Una-Sana Canton)
History
Bosanski Petrovac has roots dating back to Roman times, evidenced by remains at over 15 sites, including necropolises and coins. The area was sparsely populated in the Middle Ages, though important medieval fortresses such as Bjelaj (first mentioned in 945) and Čovka (15th century) testify to its historical significance.
The Ottomans conquered the region between 1520–1530, establishing the Novosel kadiluk. The town itself was developed later, during the rule of Sultan Ahmed III. After the Treaty of Karlowitz (1699), many Bosniak Muslim families relocated here from Lika and Dalmatia.
Under Austro-Hungarian rule from 1878, the old fortress was eventually demolished in 1905. During World War II, Bosanski Petrovac hosted the First Congress of the Antifascist Women’s Front (AFŽ) and the First Congress of Partisan Doctors, marking its importance in the wartime resistance.
National Monuments of Bosanski Petrovac
Jovan Bijelić (1886–1964)
Born in Revenik near Bosanski Petrovac, Jovan Bijelić is one of the most significant Yugoslav painters between the two World Wars. His work includes portraits, landscapes, and compositions influenced by Cubism and Fauvism. His paintings are preserved in major museums across the region, while the Jovan Bijelić Memorial Museum in Bosanski Petrovac has been declared a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Oštrelj – The Train as a National Monument
During World War II, the railway in Oštrelj held special significance – in 1942, the Supreme Headquarters of the Yugoslav Partisan Army, led by Josip Broz Tito, stayed on this train. At that time, it was the only train operating in Europe not occupied by Germany.
The steam locomotive Maffei 2438/1904 and the postal wagon in which Tito stayed were declared a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2013. Today, they are preserved in their original wartime appearance, with markings of the Partisan movement.
Oštrelj is located 12 km from Bosanski Petrovac, on a mountain pass between Klekovača and Osječenica (1,330 m above sea level). The area is rich in forest, and in the late 19th century, Bavarian industrialist Otto von Steinbeis built a narrow-gauge railway here for timber exploitation.
After the 1984 Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo, a small ski center was also built in Oštrelj, making it an attractive destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Bjelaj Fortress (Bilaj)
Bjelaj Fortress, also known as Bilaj, is a medieval castle located on the northern slopes of Mount Osječenica, overlooking Bjelajsko Field in the Bosanski Petrovac municipality. Its name comes from the white limestone that makes it stand out against the surrounding landscape.
The fortress has two main sections:
- Medieval section: Features an irregular rectangular layout, a massive round tower (16 m high), stone walls, battlements, and a moat. From the walls, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Bjelajsko Field.
- Ottoman section: A northern courtyard added during Ottoman rule, once housing a small mosque, with only parts of the western wall remaining.
Bjelaj Fortress was first mentioned in historical records in 1495 and became part of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. It was later integrated into the Bihać and Petrovac captaincies.
Bjelaj Fortress was first mentioned in historical records in 1495 and became part of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. It was later integrated into the Bihać and Petrovac captaincies.
Crkvina Archaeological Site – Kolunić
The Crkvina site in Kolunić, Bosanski Petrovac, features the remains of a medieval church and a necropolis with stećci (medieval tombstones). The village lies on the southern edge of Petrovačko Field, near the slopes of Mount Osječenica, surrounded by forests and streams.
The church, dedicated to St. George (Panađur), dates from the 12th–14th century. Its stone walls and apse are still visible, while the surrounding necropolis contains large stećci, marking this as an important medieval burial site.
Archaeological evidence also shows that Kolunić was inhabited during the Illyrian and Roman periods, with nearby hillforts and Roman remains. During the medieval period, it belonged to the Pset župa and was associated with the Kolunić tribe.
The site was declared a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2007, making it an important cultural and historical destination in the region.
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