スルプスカ共和国のおすすめMTBライド

Can you also stay overnight

The Church of the Holy Trinity, located on Aleja Svetog Save in Banja Luka, is an impressive Orthodox church that is considered a testament to the rich spiritual heritage of the region.

One of the best starting points for a journey of discovery is the old Kastel Fortress, which is also one of the oldest buildings in the city. This beautiful fortress is located on the left bank of the Vrbas River and is one of the most important buildings in Banja Luka. Its exact age has not yet been determined. However, it is believed that the settlement of Kastra was already located here in Roman times. Its expansion into a heavily fortified fortress with defensive towers began in the 15th century under Ferhat Pasa Sokolovic. After the Ottomans, the Austrians took over the fortress, and during World War II, it was even used by the German Wehrmacht. The fortress complex is located on a vast site that, in addition to the bastions and defensive towers, includes a large park and a restaurant. In summer, the Kastel is a popular destination for relaxing or picnicking in the beautiful surroundings of the Vrbas River. Numerous festivals and events also take place here during the summer months.

With the Cathedral of St. Bonaventura, Banja Luka boasts a rarity in Bosnia. Built in the 1970s, the church is one of only four Catholic cathedrals in the entire country. It, too, was severely damaged during the Bosnian War, but has been restored to its former glory since 2001. The bell tower is particularly striking. Its staircase winds upwards like a spiral. A statue of Jesus in front of the main entrance seems to urge visitors to come. Today, the church is the seat of the Catholic bishop of Bosnia.

yes, it's nice to seek out some shade

From here you can walk in the nature park. The border with Montenegro is not far away. There is a small entrance fee next to Trnovačko jezero. You can find out about prices and rules on the information table here.

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Banja Luka, in the centre of Banja Luka, is located on the site and in the same dimensions where the Church of the Holy Trinity, built between the two world wars, was originally built. The construction of the temple lasted from 1925 to 1929 and it was solemnly consecrated on May 18, 1939. During the staged German bombing on April 12, 1941, the church was hit and the altar part (apse) was significantly damaged. In May of the same year, the Ustaše declared the temple the "laughing stock of the city" and ordered Serbs, Jews and Roma to completely demolish it, stone by stone. For more than half a century after World War II, many buildings were restored, but the destroyed cathedral was not allowed to be renovated, instead the monument to the fallen soldiers in Banja Luka was erected on the site where it stood. In the early 1990s, the Banja Luka parish received permission to rebuild the destroyed temple, and the monument to the fallen fighters was moved to a nearby location, also owned by the Serbian Orthodox Church. The restoration of the temple began in 1993, when the foundations were consecrated. This solemn act was performed by the Serbian Patriarch Pavle together with the archbishops and clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The temple was restored and solemnly consecrated on the Day of the Saviour, May 28, 2009, under the name of Christ the Saviour Cathedral, since in the meantime in Banja Luka the Temple of the Holy Trinity was built on a new site (the Cathedral of the Banja Luka Diocese from 1972 to 2009), which in its appearance was reminiscent of the cathedral that was destroyed and which it was believed could never be rebuilt.[

The hut pictured actually belongs to the ranger team of the national park. In principle, they don't mind if you camp there. There is water to the right of the hut. However, I would suggest the place further down above the lake. There is a spring there and camping is also tolerated there, even though it is part of the national park.