The Blidinje Nature Park is located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the high mountainous region of the central Dinarides, encompassing the areas of the Čvrsnica and Vran mountain massifs. Administratively, it falls within three Herzegovinian cantons and five different municipalities. Due to its geomorphological features, rich flora and fauna, and the beauty of its untouched nature, this area was declared a nature park on March 24, 1995.
In this unique area, approximately 1,500 different plant species have been identified, with more than 200 being endemic, relict, or subendemic. The Blidinje Nature Park is renowned as the largest habitat of the endemic Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii var. leucodermis).
The park is home to numerous natural and cultural landmarks, including Blidinje Lake, the Herzegovinian mountain giants Čvrsnica and Vran with their natural monuments, stećak necropolises, sources of drinking water, the cave of the hajduk Mijat Tomić, the grave of Diva Grabovčeva, and more.
If you are seeking a tranquil place to relax and breathe in fresh air, Blidinje is definitely the right choice for you.
ECOLOGICAL NATURAL OASIS
Just an hour and a half’s drive from the sea, this Herzegovinian retreat boasts a preserved environment and unparalleled mountain views of Vran and Čvrsnica. Choosing this destination will be a remarkable move in relieving the stress that often comes with modern living.
The atmosphere of this ecological oasis attracts tourists and day-trippers throughout all four seasons. Whether it’s skiing, sledding, or snowball fights on the slopes of Čvrsnica, it’s as attractive as enjoying the charms of Blidinje Lake and other Blidinje landmarks in spring or summer.
Blidinje beckons with beauty and health, and it’s truly hard to say whether this call is stronger in spring and summer when the area is a vast bouquet of landscapes, and everything smells and soothes the eyes and soul, or in winter when the entire mountain is adorned in an indescribably pleasant whiteness – a time when it’s challenging to leave and even harder to tear oneself away from the ambiance of winter idyll and return to the mundane everyday routine.
TOP 5 ATTRACTIONS IN THE BLIDINJE NATURE PARK
To fully enjoy the nature park, you need a good base. The best headquarters for your exploration of Blidinje is the renowned hotel-restaurant “Hajdučke Vrleti.” It’s the center of entertainment, offering top-notch gastronomy and a hospitable atmosphere, providing a retreat from everyday life and a break in an atmosphere of ancient times and legends.
But let’s go step by step:
BLIDINJSKO JEZERO – Blidinje lake
An undeniable attraction of this region is undoubtedly Blidinje Lake, which dominates the central part of the nature park and gives the park its name. This blue mountain eye is nestled at the bottom of Dugo Polje, between the Vran and Čvrsnica mountains, at an altitude of 1185 meters. It is the largest mountain lake in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a surface area ranging from 2.5 to about 6 km2. The lake is relatively shallow and is fed not only by precipitation, rain, and snow but also by torrential streams from the surrounding mountains. In winter, the lake is mostly frozen, while in summer, it is one of the major attractions of Blidinje.
After a day spent at Blidinje Lake, unwind with dinner and tamburitza music at the hotel-restaurant “Hajdučke Vrleti.” Enhance your trip with gastronomic delights from traditional Herzegovinian cuisine and a wide selection of local and international wines.
RESTAURANT “HAJDUČKE VRLETI” (PARTNER OF THE BLIDINJE BIKE FESTIVAL)
STEĆAK NECROPOLISES (NEKROPOLE STEĆAKA)
Along Blidinje Lake stretches Dugo Polje, which today is primarily used for grazing, although it was mostly cultivated in the past. This is evidenced by the rich archaeological site found here, indicating that Slavic tribes settled in this area as early as the 7th century.
One of the most important cultural landmarks in the Blidinje Nature Park is the necropolis in Dugo Polje, consisting of 150 stećci, mostly slabs and chests, with some adorned. These medieval stone sleepers, Christian tombstones dating from the 12th to the 14th century, captivate with their beauty and defy the ravages of time, bearing witness to bygone centuries.
The Dugo Polje Necropolis received the status of a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2004, and since 2016, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
MASNA LUKA
In addition to the stećci, culturally noteworthy is the Franciscan monastery with the beautiful church of St. Elijah, located at the foot of Mount Pločno (2228m) in the village of Masna Luka.
Take a stroll through the largest European habitat of the endemic whitebark pine, surrender to nature, and rejuvenate your soul and body. Visit the natural spring Jasle and quench your thirst with fresh water directly from the source.
HAJDUČKA VRATA
One of the most beautiful symbols of Blidinje Nature Park is Hajdučka vrata, a natural phenomenon formed over thousands of years by the collapse of the cave ceiling due to stalactite erosion. This interesting limestone ring on Mount Čvrsnica is located above the spectacular canyon of Divo Grabovica, at an altitude of 1970 meters, offering a truly unique and priceless view of Divo Grabovica, the rock of Veliki Kuk, Čabulja, Velež, Prenj, etc. It is a destination for many hikers and nature lovers, and it is considered one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
According to legend, this is where the hajduks (outlaws) were proclaimed, and anyone who passed through Hajdučka vrata would become bulletproof. This site was supposed to be used for filming one part of the famous “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, but filming on Čvrsnica was eventually abandoned, primarily due to the inaccessibility of the terrain. Thanks to its aesthetic and ambient specificity, Hajdučka vrata were declared a natural monument in 1985.
When you pass through Hajdučka vrata, continue to the headquarters of the Hajduk Republic of Mijat Tomić – the hotel-restaurant Hajdučke Vrleti for a refreshing break. If your journey takes you there on June 5th, you will encounter the celebration of the Statehood Day of the Republic in Hajdučke Vrleti. The celebration is held every year with plenty of traditional Herzegovinian delicacies, good wine, and entertaining activities.
DIVA GRABOVČEVA
Legend has it that once upon a time, in this region, there lived a girl of exceptional beauty and slender stature, to whom many songs were sung and for whom many sleepless nights were spent—the most wonderful Diva Grabovčeva. Even the Turkish Tahir-beg Kopčić dreamed of her and proposed to her. However, she refused to marry him, which ultimately cost her life.
Diva became a symbol of purity, martyrdom, and Catholicism. She was buried on Mount Vran, and in 1998, a bronze monument, the work of sculptor Kuzma Kovačić, was erected on her grave.
Every year, on the first Sunday after Petrovdan, a holy mass is held in Diva’s honor, attended by several thousand pilgrims from the entire region. Diva Grabovčeva has been celebrated in numerous songs, books, and films, and the first opera in the Croatian language in Bosnia and Herzegovina is dedicated to her.
For more information about the offerings and activities of Blidinje Nature Park, as well as all arrangements and tourist maps of this area, visit www.visit-blidinje.com.