The town of Višegrad in the Republika Srpska region of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been documented since the beginning of the 15th century, although archaeological traces indicate that the first settlement is much older.

After the conquest of Bosnia by the Ottoman Empire and the founding of the then-Ottoman Sarajevo in the mid-15th century, the town gained increasing importance due to its location at the crossing over the Drina River on the trade route to Istanbul.

Višegrad - On the way to Belgrade to the Camperstop West Camp

We were on our way from Sarajevo to the E763 towards Belgrade for a camper stop when we came across the idyllic town of Višegrad, surrounded by numerous mountains, some of which even exceed 1,000 meters. The town of Višegrad lies in a valley at the end of a series of gorges along the Drina River, only about eight kilometres from the border with Serbia, which later proved to be a problem, leading to many discussions at the border post. Traveling from Bosnia-Herzegovina into Serbia is a gamble that often involves long detours or is even completely prevented. The Bosnian War and the various war crimes continue to play a major role here, but more on that later.

Višegrad had its heyday in the 1570s, when the stone Drina Bridge was built. It has now been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was a significant reason for us to travel via Višegrad. This imposing stone bridge enabled trade relations with other countries to be established. The route between Sarajevo and Istanbul, in particular, enabled the town to achieve a certain level of wealth. The Drina Bridge thus had a major influence on the development of Višegrad.

Builder Sinan in the game at Višegrad?

The name Drina Bridge is used colloquially. Officially, it is called Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge. It was named after its builder, Sokollu Mehmed Paša. According to records, it was designed and built by the Ottoman architect Sinan. The name Drina Bridge, however, comes from the novel "The Bridge over the Drina" by the Yugoslav author Ivo Andrić.

Mehmed Paša is also responsible for the design and construction of the riverside part of Višegrad around 1577. According to Turkish sources, Višegrad was conquered by the Turks before 1462; the city remained under Turkish rule until the Congress of Berlin in 1878, when all of Bosnia was taken over by Austria-Hungary.

The bridge is approximately 180 meters long and rises slightly towards the middle. The bridge's most striking feature is the eleven arches below the bridge. Today, the bridge is a pedestrian-only bridge, with the entire seven-meter-wide crossing being usable.

Historically, Višegrad was part of the Ottoman Empire and later also part of the Kingdom of Austria-Hungary, as indicated by the city's outdated name, Wischegrad, while Višegrad is Slavic for "High Castle." From 1878, Višegrad, like all of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was under the control of Austria-Hungary.

Unfortunately, the bridge was largely destroyed during the First World War, but due to its historical significance, it was reconstructed and protected, making the structure a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.

Today, however, the bridge's continued existence is once again under threat. The water level of the Drina River is steadily rising, endangering the bridge's structural integrity. Above Višegrad, the river is being dammed to form the over 20-kilometer-long Višegradsko Jezero.

Visegrád also boasts a partially renovated medieval fortress and the ruins of a Renaissance castle. In Nagymaros, there is a memorial museum of the world-famous traveller and hunter Kálmán Kittenberger, and in Zebegény, there is a memorial museum of the painter István Szonyi.

The city boasts a unique blend of Ottoman and Byzantine architectural styles. However, traces of the Renaissance can also be found. Among the most important sights are the town hall, the theatre, and the Church of St. Lazarus.

Ivo Andrić Builds Andrićgrad took part in Višegrad

Andrićgrad is a small neighbourhood in Višegrad and is often considered a city within a city. Starting in 2011, the Andrićgrad district was built in the north on a promontory formed by the confluence of the Rzav River and the Drina River, a project largely financed by director Emir Kusturica. It is a district of houses in ancient and medieval Balkan styles, primarily intended to promote tourism. The new town is also called Kamengrad (German: Stone Town) in reference to the former Kusturica project Drvengrad (German: Wooden Town) near Mokra Gora in Serbia.

Construction officially began on June 28, 2011, and the first phase was inaugurated on June 28, 2012, in the presence of the director, former Serbian President Boris Tadić, and the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik. The project has been criticized, particularly by Bosniaks, who fear that the town's cultural heritage will be appropriated by Serbia.

Dobrun Monastery

Dobrun Monastery is located approximately twelve kilometres east of Višegrad and is therefore an excellent destination for a short excursion. There are numerous hiking trails in the Rzav River Gorge, near the border with Serbia.

The Dobrun Monastery is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was built around the middle of the 14th century by Duke Pribil and his two sons.

We recommend a hike up to the castle ruins, which offer a magnificent view over the Drina River to the Drina Bridge.

Alternatively, you can drive or take a bus to the parking lot below the castle. There is a fee for parking. There is a restaurant and various souvenir stands near the parking lot.

Višegrad is an exciting destination, as the town can look back on a long history under the rule of so many different cultures, influenced primarily by the Ottomans and Habsburgs.

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