m̌ ḫ's photos with the keyword: Blagaj

I met these lovely kids on my way back from the castle, and they started to pose asking for a photo. After those 15 years I decided to track them down, and thanks to social networks I found Rusmira (2nd from left). She wrote: Hey!! I'm the one of children from your photo that you took in Blagaj. Heard you were searching for us haha. Huge thanks for photo you shared. It's so satisfing you found us 15years have been passed it wakes up memories. If you have more photos of us or of Blagaj feel free to share it.

The Fortress Stjepan grad was placed under state protection. The historic site of the Old Fort in Blagaj (Stjepan grad) is also on the Provisional List of National Monuments.

The Tekke (khanqah, dervish house), set at the source of the river Buna, was and still is a venue for dervish Zikr praise-chanting three nights weekly. Built at the site of an earlier Bogomil sanctuary, it is a place of which history has no precise and stored data. Archeological excavations have found and confirmed that this location holds the remains of a Late Antique structure. During the Middle Ages, even before the arrival of the Ottomans, it was a place of utter cultural and religious importance (1454). The first written track of the Tekke was made by Evlija Celebija in 1664. in his travelogues, at time when the Tekke was already well-known throughout the Ottoman empire and within the scientific community. Throughout its history the housing complex next to the Tekija was rebuilt and redecored on multiple occasions. The Tekija was actively open until its last shaykh Sejdo Sehovic died in 1925. After the Second World War, activities of the dervishes and the Tekke in Bosnia and Herzegovina were officially banned. Until early 70s, the Tekija was managed by the National Museum of B&H. Since then until 1974. it was officially without a trustee, after which time the Islamic Community, with no previous government consent, started using and protecting it from further delapidation. By reviving the tradition of the pilgrimage site, the common annual Mawlid (religious celebration of the birth of prophet Mohammad S.a.v.s.), the Tekke started reestablishing its previous importance. The last reconstruction of the Tekke was done in 2013. and a year later, in 2012. the completely destroyed housing complex – musafirhana (guest house) at its entrance were reconstructed as well.

The mills by the Tekke. Very close to the source of the river Buna, channels branch off leading water to power the mills. Several mills, stamping mills and two fulling mills were built. There was one mill on each bank of the river. Part of the mill on the right bank of the river has been converted into a souvenir shop; all that remains of the rest of the mill is the stone walls. As a rule mill buildings are simple stone-built structures with gabled roofs clad with stone slabs, and with one or more mills. whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5280

Vrelo Bune (Serbian Cyrillic: Врело Буне) is the natural and architectural ensemble at the Buna river spring near Blagaj kasaba, southeast of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina, BiH). Buna is a very short river and after mere 9 km it makes a left bank tributary of Neretva. The source of the Buna river is the finest example of an underground karst river, where a strong spring emergescfrom a huge cavern beneath a high vertical cliff. This is one of the largest and most beautiful springs in Europe, producing approx. 30 m3/s with extremely cold, pristine water.

I regret to admit that I forgot the name of this sympathetic local young lady with whom we accidentally met. She spoke good english and would navigate me on the way to the fort. If there's anyone from Mostar or Blagaj itself, they might know her - and forward her the picture.