Municipality of Han Pijesak

Han Pijesak is located at an altitude of 1100 m on the wider plateau of Mount Javor.

Natural Resources

The forests cover 2/3 of the area. The area of the municipality of Han Pijesak is one of the richest areas in forests.

The municipality of Han Pijesak has specific natural, geographical and climatic features, which in conjunction give certain comparative advantages, not only in relation to neighboring municipalities, but also to the region as a whole. These features are particularly significant when viewed as tourism potential in the context of contemporary trends in tourism and their combined valorization into one or several specific tourism products (cultural-historical tourism, rural tourism, hunting tourism, mountain tourism, spa tourism, adventure tourism).

Tourist potentials

The municipality of Han Pijesak has significant resources and potential for the development of tourism. Most resources can be combined into a unique tourism product:

• Air quality – Han Pijesak has been proclaimed as an air spa. It is surrounded by hills and lush coniferous and deciduous forests that have contributed to this place becoming an air spa, which was officially confirmed at the beginning of November 2023, when the entire area of the municipality of Han Pijesak was proclaimed an air spa, thus representing a significant resource-base for development of health-recreational tourism (air spa, altitude training of athletes).
• Attractive localities (villages and hamlets) for the development of rural tourism, in combination with the authentic gastronomic offer (Romanija skorup-kajmak and other types of dairy products based on the technology of preparation in smoking huts, e.g. „young“ kajmak, various types of cheese, Romanija honey, other domestic agricultural and food products). Walks through beautiful rural surroundings, medicinal herb and forest fruits picking, participating in the preparation of authentic dishes while working in the fields…
• Wealth of game, management of hunting grounds, breeding and protection of game as a potential for hunting tourism;
• Architectural heritage as a potential for the development of cultural and historical tourism. The Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy was the second largest country in Europe (behind Imperial Russia). All the findings of their scientists confirmed that the air in Han Pijesak would be the most suitable for the comfortable stay of the old and asthmatic emperor Franjo Joseph (Franz Joseph I of Austria). Construction plans were hindered by the Great War, and after the war, King Alexander the Unifier, decided to build himself a summer house in the vast forest on Javor Planina (officially the Hunting Castle). Construction began in 1919, and the entire complex was completed in 1924. The castle burned down for the first time in 1943 after being bombed by German aircraft. It was restored in 1946 (not very authentically) and named Tito’s castle. The castle (Tito) burned down again in 2005. The restoration of the Summer Residence of King Aleksandar Karađorđević is underway, according to its original appearance, with the consent of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage of the Republic of Srpska. The Summer Residence will also have a commercial purpose (a wine cellar, a museum, a seminar room, the queen’s apartment, the king’s apartment, etc.). It is expected to become one of the main development factors of the Municipality of Han Pijesak, as well as the entire area (Sarajevo-Romanija region).

The Mountaineering association “Javor-Sunčana planina” and the Mountaineering-ecological association “Visočnik” operate in the municipal area. The association “Javor-Sunčana planina” has marked (with high-quality signposts) the hiking trail from Kraljevo Polje (populated place) to the soldier’s cemetery  „Vrani Kamen“ from the First World War.

A 40 km long trail has also been arranged. Accompanying equipment was also acquired (info and educational boards, road signs, rest benches, etc.), as well as innovative cycling equipment that contributes to strengthening the area’s cycle tourism capacity – smart cycling point, a functional rest area for cyclists with an integrated solar system for charging mobile devices.

The Žeženica viewpoint is a striking exposed rock above the village of Karaula. A hiking trail (marked by PED “Visočnik”) leads to the top of the lookout point. It takes around 15 minutes of easy walking to reach the lookout point and enjoy the view of a large part of the Birač region. The lookout point has been equipped with table, benches, and is suitable for grilling and relaxing while enjoying the view.

Cultural, historical and natural heritage

In the area of the municipality of Han Pijesak, there are areas of outstanding natural beauty that have recreational, cultural and scientific importance:

• Memorial Parks – medieval sites: the old town-fortress “Pošijak”, the settlement “Mačkovac” and the settlement “Maćeha”; ten localities with a total of 176 stećak necropolises (tombstones),
• Natural monuments: „Maljava breza“ (Betula pubescus) – site of Kramska bara on Han Kram, group of green Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga Taxifolia) – remains of nursery Gornji Ljeskovac, Pančić’s fir – location of the Summer Residence of King Aleksandar Karađorđević.