Blagaj, Mostar
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Blagaj | |
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UTC+2 (CEST ) | |
Official name | Blagaj, the historic urban area |
Type | Category I cultural-historical and natural monument |
Criteria | A, B, D iv.v., E iii.v., F i.iii., G v.vi., H i. |
Designated | 5 May 2005 ( 07.1-02-1029/03-37) |
Reference no. | 2558 |
Has parts |
|
List of National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Blagaj is a historic village and protected heritage site in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in the south-eastern region of the Mostar basin, in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. It stands at the edge of Bišće plain and is one of the most valuable mixed urban and rural built environments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, distinguished from other similar built environments in its urban layout.[1] Blagaj was most likely named for its mild weather patterns since blaga in Serbo-Croatian means "mild".[2] Blagaj is situated at the spring of the Buna river and a historical tekke (tekija or Dervish monastery). The Blagaj Tekija was built around 1520, with elements of Ottoman architecture and Mediterranean style[3][4] and is considered a national monument. Blagaj Tekke is a monastery built for the Dervish.
Sources
History
During the classical antiquity there existed an
In the late 12th century, during the rule of
In historical sources Blagaj was first mentioned in 1423. During the period of the
Architecture
The earliest Blagaj settlement was located at the foot of the Blagaj fort, where the road runs down from the fort and intersects with the Nevesinje road. There was too little trade for a commercial centre to emerge and in an agricultural environment of this kind the circumstances did not give rise to an urban settlement. The urbanization of the area (in the form we know today) was defined in the second half of the 15th century, and its structure was shaped during the 16th century.
Historical sources frequently refer to mediaeval fortress
Public buildings were positioned quite deliberately within the urban structure as a whole. Among the first edifices was the Careva (Imperial) mosque constructed in 1521, which helped the settlement acquire the status of kasaba. It was followed by the construction of Karađoz-beg bridge from 1570 and then the Leho bridge. Using bold structural solutions played a vital role in architecture of Blagaj: addition of pillars and vaults, along with other structural elements, is quite evident. Barrel vaults, which were common in mosques, the tekke and the hammam – were raised to a high degree of perfection and made an entirely free ground plan possible. The synchronization of artisan crafts and construction techniques on the one hand and the development of the settlement on the other has left a mark on the Blagaj's image as a distinctive urban centre in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the reign of Austro-Hungarian Empire, Blagaj still retained its oriental-settlement character in its overall appearance as well as in its architectural and compositional details despite the obvious deterioration of the urban fabric.[6]
Demographics
According to the 2013 census, its population was 2,531.[7]
Ethnicity | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Bosniaks | 2,492 | 98.5% |
Croats | 7 | 0.3% |
Serbs | 4 | 0.2% |
Other/undeclared | 28 | 1.1% |
Total | 2,531 | 100% |
See also
- Neretva
- Mostar
- Buna, Mostar
- Počitelj
- Stolac
- Vrelo Bune
- Buna
- Vrelo Bunice
- Trebižat
- Bregava
- Hutovo Blato
References
- ^ Regional Programme for Cultural and Natural Heritage in South East Europe 2003 - 2006 Archived April 1, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Visit Mostar
- ^ "The natural and architectural ensemble of Blagaj". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
- ^ "Tekke in Blagaj on the Buna Spring, the natural and architectural ensemble of Blagaj". Commission to Preserve National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Retrieved 22 May 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Regional Programme for Cultural and Natural Heritage in South East Europe 2003 – 2006 Archived April 1, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ UNESCO: The natural and architectural ensemble of Blagaj
- ^ "Naseljena Mjesta 1991/2013" (in Bosnian). Statistical Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Retrieved 8 October 2021.