Located on the banks of the Trebišnjica, Trebinje is the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It centres around a beautifully preserved Ottoman old town and is on the doorstep of several important Serbian Orthodox monasteries. After passing through Trebinje, the Trebišnjica runs underground before spilling into the Adriatic Sea near Dubrovnik.
Things to do in Trebinje
One of Trebinje’s most famous landmarks is the Arslanagić Bridge, which was originally built by the Ottomans between 1650 and 1690 before being reconstructed in 1966. Spanning the Trebišnjica, it is designated as a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Admire its stone arches from the trail that hugs the river banks or enjoy the views on offer from the top.
Also nearby is the Hercegovačka Gračanica Monastery, which is located high atop Crkvina Hill. This Serbian Orthodox monastery was completed in 2000 and inspired by the famous Gračanica Monastery in Kosovo. After enjoying the superb views of Trebinje, pay your respects at the fresco-adorned tombstone of Jovan Dučić, a Herzegovinian Serb poet who was born in Trebinje.
History buffs can visit the Herzegovina Museum, which houses an impressive collection of clothing, manuscripts and paintings once belonging to Jovan Dučić. Learn about the folk culture of Serbs in East Herzegovina during the 19th century and get up close to paintings by Atanasije Popović. The Herzegovina Museum regularly hosts changing exhibitions and live music concerts.
Getting around Trebinje
Trebinje is around 40 minutes' drive from Dubrovnik and 45 minutes from Dubrovnik Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Sarajevo International Airport is 3.5 hours away. Long-distance buses connect to Trebinje and buses travel through the city. The centre of Trebinje is compact enough to explore on foot.