Ljubovčići Hotels: Local History and Hiking Trails to Hranisava

In 1468, Ljubovčići was first mentioned under the names Lepugčić and Lubogovčić as a village in the Nahije Gradčac district. An entry from 1565 describes Ljubovčići as a kasaba in which the spahi Mehmed built a mosque. During Ottoman rule in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a mosque was built in Ljubovčići in the first half of the 16th century, playing a special role in the development of the settlement. The 1604 census recorded a mosque mahala with 15 households in Ljubovčići.

The area around the mosque developed into an important marketplace and was named Pazarić. Pazarić had long been a ferry crossing through which a trade route ran. In Pazarić, the katib Mahmud built a busy caravanserai. Historically, the route from Ljubovčići led over Bjelašnica into the Neretva Valley.

The Ljubovača, also known as Ljubovački potok, forms immediately below Ljubovčići where two smaller streams converge. An archaeological trace is also associated with the watercourse and the area around Pazarić: an ancient inscription stone was found in September 1892 on the bank of the small Ljubovčića stream near Pazarić, close to a mosque. It is now located near the National Museum in Sarajevo.

Ljubovčići is a starting point for the ascent to Hranisava. The route follows a well-marked trail uphill along wooded slopes; the ascent reaches a summit elevation of 1,964 metres. To access the route to Hranisava, follow the Sarajevo–Mostar road to Pazarić and turn there towards Ljubovčići.

A hiking route from Ljubovčići to the nearby Podgradina Hut leads via Bor and takes approximately 1.5 hours. The shortest and easiest route from Ljubovčići to the Stanari Hut also leads via Bor; the hike is approximately 10 km long and involves around 800 metres of elevation gain. The hiking trail from Ljubovčići to the Stanari Hut runs entirely through the forest. Apart from the first section, it is well marked, and there is a signpost at every junction.

“Bjelašnički dan” is the mountaineering event with the longest tradition in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Podgradina Hut is located at an elevation of 1,350 metres below Gradinska stijena and is surrounded by dense forest. It has 20 sleeping places, a large common room, a kitchen and an indoor toilet.

The Šavnici Hut can be reached by car as far as Ljubovčići and then on foot in approximately 20 minutes. Šavnici serves as a starting point for hikes to the Podgradina Hut in approximately 1.5 hours, to Stanari in approximately 2.5 hours, to Sitnik in approximately 3 hours, to Hranisava in approximately 3.5 hours, to the observatory in approximately 6 hours, and to Mehina Luka in approximately 2 to 3 hours.

If you would like to view further destinations in the same higher-level area, you can find Garež, Umoljani, Ilijaš, Ilidža, Vogošća, Vrančići, Faletići and Trnovo here.

To the higher-level travel overview: Sarajevo Canton.