Portal:Bosnia and Herzegovina

From top, left to right: Bilino Polje Stadium; Old Čaršija; Vranduk fortress; čaršija (by the bazaar); old bazaar and Kočeva mosque; panorama with a view of river Bosna, settlements and hills

Zenica (/ˈzɛnɪtsə/ ZEN-it-sə; Bosnian pronunciation: [zěnitsa] ^ⓘ) is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina and an administrative and economic center of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Zenica-Doboj Canton. It is located in the Bosna river valley, about 70 km (43 mi) north of Sarajevo. The city is known for its Ironworks Zenica factory but also as a significant university center. According to the 2013 census, the settlement of Zenica itself counts 70,553 citizens and the administrative area 110,663, making it the nation's fourth-largest city.

The urban part of today's city was formed in several phases, including Neolithic, Illyrian, the Roman Municipium of Bistua Nuova (2nd–4th century; old name of the city), with an early Christian dual basilica. Traces of an ancient settlement have been found here as well; villa rustica, thermae, a temple, and other buildings were also present. Earliest findings in the place date from the period 3000–2000 BC; they were found in the localities of Drivuša and Gradišće. Zenica's current name was first mentioned in 1415. A medieval church has been unearthed in Zenica, as well as the Franciscan Monastery of St. Mary. The independence of Medieval Bosnia is directly connected to Zenica (Gradješa's plate and abjuration act; Kulin ban's time; Vranduk, a castle of the Bosnian kings; Janjići and 'hižas' [homes] of Bosnian Church members; stećci, stone tombstone monuments, etc.) During Ottoman rule (1463–1878), Zenica became a Muslim town; at the end of the 17th century, Zenica had 2,000 citizens, mostly Muslims; Orthodox and Catholic Christians are mentioned again from the end of the 18th century, and Jews in the 19th century. Modern Zenica was mostly built in the Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslavian periods. The population rose rapidly during the 20th century, and from the Bosnian War until 2013, the city lost a quarter of its population. The municipality of Zenica became the City of Zenica in 2014. (Full article...)

• ... that despite being a Serb, Tatjana Ljujić-Mijatović stayed in Serb-besieged Sarajevo and became the only woman member of the wartime Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Ledger stone to Queen Catherine of Bosnia, depicting queen on a chest tomb, surrounded by the arms of her husband and father, in form of tomb effigy in shallow relief and ledger line. (reproduction from 1677)

Catherine of Bosnia (Serbo-Croatian: Katarina Kosača/Катарина Косача; 1424/1425 – 25 October 1478) was Queen of Bosnia as the wife of King Thomas, the penultimate Bosnian sovereign. She was born into the powerful House of Kosača, staunch supporters of the Bosnian Church. Her marriage in 1446 was arranged to bring peace between the King and her father, Stjepan Vukčić. The queenship of Catherine, who at that point converted to Roman Catholicism, was marked by an energetic construction of churches throughout the country.

Following her husband's death in 1461, Catherine's role receded to that of queen dowager at the court of her stepson, King Stephen Tomašević. Two years later, forces of the Ottoman Empire led by Mehmed the Conqueror invaded Bosnia and put an end to the independent kingdom. Catherine's stepson was executed, while Sigismund and Catherine, her son and daughter by Thomas, were captured and taken to Constantinople, where they converted to Islam. Queen Catherine escaped, taking refuge in Dubrovnik and eventually settling in Rome, where she received a pension from the papacy. From Rome she strove to be reunited with her children. Her efforts to negotiate and offer a ransom proved futile. She died a Franciscan tertiary in Rome, having named the papacy guardians of Bosnia and her children heirs to the throne, should they ever return to Christianity. (Full article...)

• ... that Ivan Ančić was the first Bosnian Franciscan to use the Latin script to write in his native language?
• ... that Miroslav Kvočka was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity against non-Serb detainees in the Omarska concentration camp during the Bosnian War?
• ... that swimmer Anja Margetić refused to participate at the Mediterranean Games after learning she would not be able to compete under the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
• ... that the May 1995 Pale air strikes during the Bosnian War were the first offensive operations carried out by the Spanish Air Force since 1957?
• ... that Bosnian sitting volleyball players Sabahudin Delalić, Ismet Godinjak, Adnan Manko, Asim Medić, and Dževad Hamzić have won medals at every Paralympics this century?
• ... that weightlifter Mehmed Skender was manning a machine gun when asked to join Bosnia and Herzegovina's first Olympic team?

Religions in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ex-Yugoslav countries

Other countries

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• The State of Media Freedom in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Public Service Broadcasting Report by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

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