Bosnia and Herzegovina

Discover Bosnia and Herzegovina

Fun Foods

Ćevapi, Burek, Baklava, Tufahije

One gunshot in Bosnia started World War I. In 1914, a teenager named Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand on the Latin Bridge in Sarajevo, and boom, the whole world went to war.

Why did one bullet cause such chaos? Princip wanted Bosnia free from Austria-Hungary. When he killed Franz Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia and declared war. Then all the countries with alliances jumped in, and suddenly the whole world was fighting.

But let's back up. The Ottoman Empire controlled this land for about 400 years starting in the 1400s. They brought Islam, built mosques, and introduced that amazing coffee culture Bosnia is famous for today.

In 1878, Austria-Hungary took over from the Ottomans and officially annexed Bosnia in 1908. They brought different architecture and customs, creating this wild mix of East-meets-West you still see everywhere.

After World War I ended, Bosnia became part of a new country called Yugoslavia. Things were pretty calm until the 1990s.

In 1984, Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics and the whole world watched athletes compete in those gorgeous mountains. Just eight years later, everything fell apart.

The Bosnian War lasted from 1992 to 1995 and tore the country apart. The Siege of Sarajevo was one of the longest sieges in modern warfare. Over 100,000 people died, and millions had to flee their homes.

Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence in 1992, but peace didn't come until 1995.

Today, Bosnia has rebuilt, and the country's scars have become symbols of resilience. Visit Mostar and walk across the Stari Most, the famous Old Bridge. Watch crazy divers jump 21 meters into the freezing Neretva River below. The bridge was destroyed during the war but was rebuilt exactly as it was before.

In Sarajevo, see the Latin Bridge where Franz Ferdinand was shot. The Old Bazaar mixes Ottoman-era shops with cafes serving the best coffee you'll ever taste.

Coffee here is serious business. Bosnians serve it in a copper pot called a džezva, and drinking it slowly while chatting with friends is basically the national pastime.

The culture mixes Muslim, Orthodox Christian, and Catholic traditions. You'll see mosques next to churches next to synagogues, all in the same neighborhood.

All these different cultures brought their flavors to the table. Ćevapi are grilled meat sausages served in flatbread with raw onions and ajvar, a smoky red pepper spread that goes on everything. Burek is flaky pastry stuffed with meat, cheese, or spinach. Eat it for breakfast like locals do.

Baklava here is sweet, sticky, and loaded with nuts and honey. And if someone offers you Bosnian coffee, say yes. It comes with a piece of Turkish delight.