Hotel in Višegrad – Bridge, Culture and the Drina
Višegrad is located on the Drina. The Mehmed Pasha Sokolović Bridge spans the river here. It was built at the end of the 16th century by the court architect Mimar Koca Sinan on behalf of Grand Vizier Mehmed Pasha Sokolović and is considered characteristic of the peak of Ottoman monumental architecture and civil engineering.
Culture and history
A prominent cultural site is Andrićgrad, which was conceived as a “city within a city”: a stone medieval town inspired by the works and characters of Ivo Andrić. In Andrićgrad, you can visit the Lubarda Gallery at the Andrić Institute and watch films at the “Dolly Bell” cinema. The Višegrad City Gallery is located in the Cultural Centre building and regularly displays paintings, graphics and sculptures created at the International Art Symposium in Višegrad.
The medieval town complex of Dobrun is part of the historic surroundings. Its eastern section, with three towers, lies on the left bank of the Rzav; to the west, there was a fortress with walls and a gate at this location. Dobrun Monastery is located 12 km from Višegrad in the Rzav gorge. The monastery complex includes the Museum of the First Serbian Uprising. Dobrun Monastery also preserves frescoes depicting Emperor Dušan with Jelena and Uroš, as well as the monastery’s founder, Prefect Pribil, and his family.
The Stari Brod Memorial Museum contains 27 sculptures with 39 figures. They symbolise the flight of Serbian mothers with their children into the swollen Drina. The Ivo Andrić Memorial Classroom is part of the official tour of Višegrad; admission costs 3 KM per person. The Monastery of the Ascension of the Lord in Vardište has an icon-painting workshop where nuns make and paint icons.
Events and local life
Annual events include the traditional “Zlatne ruke Podrinja” event in Višegrad, which brings together exhibitors of handicrafts, homemade products and traditional crafts. The International Art Symposium in Višegrad has been held every year at the beginning of August since 1993 and brings together artists from around 15 countries. The Višegrad Staza was established in 1976 and takes place every year in June. Višegrad stew is recommended for tasting.
Water and landscape
Within the town area, upstream from the Višegrad Bridge, there is a 2 km-long fishing section. A 480 m-long zip line is located next to the bridge. The active tourism centre Canyon Adventures offers various tours and adventures with kayaks or SUP boards on the Drina; this allows visitors to pass beneath the arches of the old bridge.
Jaz Beach is located in Međeđa, 12 km upstream from Višegrad. Swimming is possible there, and canoes, pedal boats and motorboats can be rented. In the Drina Canyon, the lower lake is 54 km long. A few kilometres from Višegrad, it transitions into a completely wild landscape without roads or settlements.
The hammam in Višegradska Banja is also still in use and can be rented by the hour through Hotel Vilina Vlas.
Getting around the surrounding area
The Višegrad–Vardište–Mokra Gora narrow-gauge railway line runs through the scenic Rzav valley and is used for special tourist trips. On the Ćiro railway line, special trips are currently available only for tourist groups, with the entire train being chartered.
Višegrad is connected daily by bus with Sarajevo, Istočno Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka and Foča; there are also routes to Belgrade and Novi Sad. For the route from Miloševići to Stari Brod, the final 5 km are not fully paved and are recommended only for off-road vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
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