Fortress of Jajce
Fortress of Jajce
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
105 reviews
Excellent
47
Very good
38
Average
17
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Alena K
Slovakia41 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
Nice old fortress, worth to visit, perfect view from the top. It takes approx 15 minutes going up by stairs. It was open and the entrance was free of charge. Do not forget to visit catacombs on the way up.
Written December 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bosona
Milton, Canada77 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Jajce is a UNESCO Gem it is sadly still not on the official list but it should seriously soon be.
It is a museum throughout.
A place where Kings were crowned, where two Rivers flow and join together like nowhere else in the World. Jajce and the Fortress of Jajce is the place where old Romans and Civilizations before them lived and enjoyed the Wonders of Nature.
It is a museum throughout.
A place where Kings were crowned, where two Rivers flow and join together like nowhere else in the World. Jajce and the Fortress of Jajce is the place where old Romans and Civilizations before them lived and enjoyed the Wonders of Nature.
Written January 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
greenfrogfrolics
Gloucester, UK324 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
Jajce is a most attractive small town situated at the meeting of two rivers, where the Pliva cascades 60 feet to join the Vrbas. It is dominated by the fortress 1500 feet above the town. This palace was built by Bosnian Kings, and was the last stronghold to fall to the Ottoman invaders in 1528. This old historical part of town has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It deserves to be added to the list. The outer castle walls extend right down the hill, and you enter the old town either by car or on foot through one of the ancient gates in a tower.
So I entered via the Travnik Gate, and found my hotel - the Stari Grad - just round a corner on the left.
With a small map from the hotel I set out up the hill, passing by the ruins of a church with St Luke’s tower, the only surviving example of a medieval steeple in the Balkans. This church has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, including being transformed into a mosque. The last Bosnian King was crowned here in 1461. Opposite the church are the Catacombs, carved out of rock during the late 14th century and said to be the last resting place of the ancient Bogomil kings. The carved altar featuring a cross, sun and crescent moon symbolises the afterlife. It is only 2 BAM (€1) to enter so though there isn’t a lot to see, it is hardly a wasted experience.
I continued up a steep cobbled path to the castle entrance, wondering about the long-dead people who must have walked this daily, and also those people who still live on this hill, in the beautiful old Ottoman houses clinging to the steep slopes. The castle was 2 BAM (€1) to enter. The turfed ramparts and battlements are still complete and can be walked around by those not vertiginously challenged. In fact the walls are high enough to provide a decent barrier so I did venture up. There are several buildings inside, some of which can be entered, and with the grassy lawns and terraces it is an attractive place. The views from up here are stunning.
I walked down the other way, passing some lovely old traditional buildings, though some were in a dire state of repair. The museum/art gallery was closed so I continued on down the cobbled streets. I found my way out through the stone gate under the tower again and crossed the Pliva River – flat and calm here… but turning back on the other side the river suddenly fell crashing and tumbling into the Vrbas River in the gorge below. It is apparently one of the 10 most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Well, not having seen any others I cannot comment, but it is certainly spectacular. Intriguing is the diving platform perched between the two cascades. I did a bit of research, and the first international diving competition was held on 9 August 2014, won by a Mostar man.
http://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/competitors-dive-waterfall-jumping-contest-bosnia-n177026
There was one more thing I wanted to see before I left Jajce, and that was the 3rd century temple dedicated to the god Mithras with a carved altar stone. I had read it was hidden in a locked shed and I would have to find someone with a key, but I found it enclosed in a huge glass case down some steep steps. It was locked however, but I was able to walk round and get a good look. One can clearly see the winged Mithras holding the bull down as he plunges his knife into its neck – it is a very vivid sculpture. Unfortunately the reflection of light on the glass meant my photos aren’t much good, but I felt privileged to have seen it.
I left Jajce via the Banja Luka Gate, then through a tunnel under the hill the fortress and town is built on, and set off towards Banja Luka and the Croatian border.
So I entered via the Travnik Gate, and found my hotel - the Stari Grad - just round a corner on the left.
With a small map from the hotel I set out up the hill, passing by the ruins of a church with St Luke’s tower, the only surviving example of a medieval steeple in the Balkans. This church has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, including being transformed into a mosque. The last Bosnian King was crowned here in 1461. Opposite the church are the Catacombs, carved out of rock during the late 14th century and said to be the last resting place of the ancient Bogomil kings. The carved altar featuring a cross, sun and crescent moon symbolises the afterlife. It is only 2 BAM (€1) to enter so though there isn’t a lot to see, it is hardly a wasted experience.
I continued up a steep cobbled path to the castle entrance, wondering about the long-dead people who must have walked this daily, and also those people who still live on this hill, in the beautiful old Ottoman houses clinging to the steep slopes. The castle was 2 BAM (€1) to enter. The turfed ramparts and battlements are still complete and can be walked around by those not vertiginously challenged. In fact the walls are high enough to provide a decent barrier so I did venture up. There are several buildings inside, some of which can be entered, and with the grassy lawns and terraces it is an attractive place. The views from up here are stunning.
I walked down the other way, passing some lovely old traditional buildings, though some were in a dire state of repair. The museum/art gallery was closed so I continued on down the cobbled streets. I found my way out through the stone gate under the tower again and crossed the Pliva River – flat and calm here… but turning back on the other side the river suddenly fell crashing and tumbling into the Vrbas River in the gorge below. It is apparently one of the 10 most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Well, not having seen any others I cannot comment, but it is certainly spectacular. Intriguing is the diving platform perched between the two cascades. I did a bit of research, and the first international diving competition was held on 9 August 2014, won by a Mostar man.
http://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/competitors-dive-waterfall-jumping-contest-bosnia-n177026
There was one more thing I wanted to see before I left Jajce, and that was the 3rd century temple dedicated to the god Mithras with a carved altar stone. I had read it was hidden in a locked shed and I would have to find someone with a key, but I found it enclosed in a huge glass case down some steep steps. It was locked however, but I was able to walk round and get a good look. One can clearly see the winged Mithras holding the bull down as he plunges his knife into its neck – it is a very vivid sculpture. Unfortunately the reflection of light on the glass meant my photos aren’t much good, but I felt privileged to have seen it.
I left Jajce via the Banja Luka Gate, then through a tunnel under the hill the fortress and town is built on, and set off towards Banja Luka and the Croatian border.
Written October 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edi1979
Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina138 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
This little town is a must to visit if you have one spare day while in Bosnia. The fortress itself isn't special, but is the best place for sightseeing of this little town. You can enjoy walking through the streets of this town with old, but beautiful architecture. Then, you can enjoy watching waterfalls which are really beautiful. All in all, I strongly recommend a visit to this beautiful little city.
Written December 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nada D
Stawell, Australia155 contributions
Oct 2013 • Business
I was only to stay in Jajce for one day,,,,,,,,,but stayed for three, and could have stayed longer,, the Town is magic,,,,,,,the people are so friendly and ready to help you,,,,,,,,,,,The walk to the Fort is amazing,,,,,entry to the Fort is 2km,,,,,,,,,,,the view at sunset is beautiful and peaceful,,,,,,,,,,,don't just pass Jajce,, stay for few days and enjoy what is on offer,,,,,,,
Written November 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kirkland77
Downingtown, PA153 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
The fortress itself was ok. The ramparts are still extremely well intact. You do get a great sense of what the place must have been like centuries ago. But the claim to fame of this sight is the 360 grand view from the ramparts of the town below. There is a little bit of walking, but nothing too strenuous.
Written October 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VGTravelGirl
St. Albert, Canada2,116 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
A short walk up from the town site will bring you to the Fortress. You have full access to the area and can see the city from many different view points. The fortress itself is fairly overgrown and there is not much left to see. We visited in September, and were the only tourists on the site. The cost to visit was 2 Marks per person. The price to visit the catacombs is also 2 Marks per person -- the cost to visit all sites is 10 marks per person, so you may want to consider this if you plan to visit a number of the sites.
Written September 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dragan-Gl
Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina5 contributions
Aug 2015
Visiting the Fortress in Jajce gives you a completely new perspective of seeing
the town. The Fortress is located above the city, 470 metres above the sea level.
The view which is provided from the walls of the Fortress towards Jajce and the
old town, exudes the ambience of the old bosnian houses. It is assumed that the
Fortress was existing already in 13th Century, and it was constructed and repaired
during several centuries. Next to the entrance to Fortress there is a portal with a
Royal coat of arms of the family Kotromanic from the 15th Century. It is the only
preserved Royal portal in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thetre is a gunpowder magazine
inside the Fortress, built in the late 18th and early 20th Century, and water
reservoar from the time of Austro-Hungarian rule. The Fortress is connected with
rivers Pliva and Vrbas over the defence walls, Bear tower and Travnik gate on the
Eastern side and with Big bastion, Tower on Dzikovac, Papaz tower, Banja Luka
gate and Šamića bastion on the Western side. On the way to the Fortress there is
a populary named Clock Tower, which was used as a primer entrance to the town
during medieval period. It is assumed that a clock stood there during the Ottoman
rule, therefore comes the name of the tower.
The Fortress is open for the visitors every day,during the entire year. Summertime
opening hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., while during the winter time, the
monument is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
the town. The Fortress is located above the city, 470 metres above the sea level.
The view which is provided from the walls of the Fortress towards Jajce and the
old town, exudes the ambience of the old bosnian houses. It is assumed that the
Fortress was existing already in 13th Century, and it was constructed and repaired
during several centuries. Next to the entrance to Fortress there is a portal with a
Royal coat of arms of the family Kotromanic from the 15th Century. It is the only
preserved Royal portal in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thetre is a gunpowder magazine
inside the Fortress, built in the late 18th and early 20th Century, and water
reservoar from the time of Austro-Hungarian rule. The Fortress is connected with
rivers Pliva and Vrbas over the defence walls, Bear tower and Travnik gate on the
Eastern side and with Big bastion, Tower on Dzikovac, Papaz tower, Banja Luka
gate and Šamića bastion on the Western side. On the way to the Fortress there is
a populary named Clock Tower, which was used as a primer entrance to the town
during medieval period. It is assumed that a clock stood there during the Ottoman
rule, therefore comes the name of the tower.
The Fortress is open for the visitors every day,during the entire year. Summertime
opening hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., while during the winter time, the
monument is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Written August 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IvaMales
Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia26 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
The fortress itself is not an attraction you will remember every day, but paying 2KM (1€) means a lot to local people and you will have a chance to see beautiful Bosnian landscape that surrounds Jajce. The walk to the fortress is very pleasant, you pass old houses and the remains of Church of Saint Luke.
Written September 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaxBiH
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina52 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
This little town has a lot to offer, and one of those things is fortress.
For entering you need to pay 1 EUR but its worth it.
For entering you need to pay 1 EUR but its worth it.
Written July 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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