Trebinje historical places: old town and Ottoman bridge
Trebinje historical places guide: the 18th-century Ottoman walled old town, the 16th-century Arslanagić Bridge, the Hercegovačka Gračanica monastery and plane-tree squares.
Trebinje is one of the most graceful stops in Herzegovina. This sunny town on the Trebišnjica river brings together its Ottoman walled old town, its stone bridge, its plane-tree squares and the monastery on the hill in a mix of different eras. Thanks to its closeness to Dubrovnik it is often visited, and because the sites lie near one another they can be seen in an easy day. This guide visits Trebinje's key historical sites in order.
Why visit Trebinje's old town?
Trebinje's walled old town (Stari Grad) dates to the Ottoman period of the 18th century; its fortified core, called the Kastel, was formed in the 17th century. With its narrow stone lanes, gates and courtyards, the old town is where the city's Ottoman past is felt most strongly, and the natural starting point of a walk.
In the lanes within the walls, the Osman-Paša Mosque, stone houses and small shops lie close together. The centuries-old plane trees on the squares give the town shade and coolness; Trebinje is called the "city of the sun and plane-trees" because of them. The old town today is a lively centre with its cafés, workshops and craft shops. Beyond the walls, the riverside paths and bridges along the Trebišnjica connect to the other stops of the walk.
The Arslanagić Bridge and the Trebišnjica
One of the town's landmarks, the Arslanagić Bridge is an Ottoman stone bridge from the 16th century. In the time of Mehmed-Paša Sokolović it was originally built in the village of Arslanagić, about 5 kilometres north of the town. With its elegant arches and raised form, it is one of the finest examples of Ottoman bridge architecture in the region.
The Trebišnjica, over which the bridge passes, flows through the middle of Trebinje and floods in winter; its water reaches the Adriatic underground, near Dubrovnik. The riverside, with its shaded paths and bridge views, is the town's most pleasant place to stroll. The Arslanagić Bridge looks its finest at sunset, when its stone arches reflect in the water, and it is the most photographed spot in Trebinje.
The Hercegovačka Gračanica Monastery
On the Crkvina Hill above the town rises Hercegovačka Gračanica, a Serbian Orthodox monastery church completed in 2000. Modelled on the famous Gračanica monastery in Kosovo, the building, though a recent work, is among the town's most visited places for its traditional architecture and the panorama from the hill.
The road up to the monastery offers a wide view over the roofs of Trebinje, the Trebišnjica valley and the surrounding mountains. The stonework in its courtyard and the bell tower reflect the Serbian-Byzantine building tradition. The hill is ideal for photographs, especially at sunrise and sunset. Reached from the centre by a short drive or walk, the monastery can be a restful close to the tour, both spiritual and scenic.
The Osman-Paša Mosque and the plane-tree square
The Osman-Paša Mosque in the old town was built in 1726 and fully renovated in 2005. With its slender minaret and its courtyard, the mosque is the most visible example of Trebinje's Ottoman architectural heritage in the centre and one of the focal points of the fabric within the walls.
The squares and lanes around the mosque are places where town life gathers in the shade of the centuries-old plane trees. In summer these shaded areas offer a cool refuge in the town's hot climate. The surrounding cafés and market stalls are good for seeing local life up close. The Osman-Paša Mosque and the plane-tree square are a stop that keeps the everyday rhythm of the old town and its multicultural past alive together.
How should you explore Trebinje?
The practical way starts in the walled old town, descends to the bank of the Trebišnjica, goes on to the Arslanagić Bridge and finally climbs to the monastery on the hill. The old town and the riverside lie within walking distance; the monastery is added with a short drive.
It is fitting to visit the old town and the mosque in the morning cool and spend the afternoon by the river and the bridge. The day can be rounded off with sunset from the monastery on Crkvina Hill. Thanks to its closeness to Dubrovnik, Trebinje is a day-trip stop that fits easily into Adriatic travels. For more, see our city page on Trebinje.
FAQ
Why should you see Trebinje's old town?
The walled old town (Stari Grad) dates to the Ottoman period of the 18th century; its fortified core, the Kastel, formed in the 17th century. With its narrow stone lanes, the Osman-Paša Mosque and its plane-tree squares, the old town is where the city's Ottoman past is felt most strongly, and the natural starting point of a walk.
When and by whom was the Arslanagić Bridge built?
The Arslanagić Bridge is an Ottoman stone bridge from the 16th century, built in the time of Mehmed-Paša Sokolović. It was originally erected in the village of Arslanagić, about 5 kilometres north of the town. With its elegant arches it is regarded as one of the region's finest Ottoman bridges and is today one of Trebinje's most photographed landmarks.
What is Hercegovačka Gračanica?
Hercegovačka Gračanica is a Serbian Orthodox monastery church on the Crkvina Hill above the town, completed in 2000. It is modelled on the Gračanica monastery in Kosovo. Despite being a recent building, it is among the town's most visited places for its traditional architecture and the wide panorama from the hill.