Vlašić (Bosnian mountain)

Vlašić
Highest point
Elevation

1,943 m (6,375 ft)

Coordinates 44°17′00″N 17°40′00″E / 44.283333°N 17.666667°E / 44.283333; 17.666667Coordinates: 44°17′00″N 17°40′00″E / 44.283333°N 17.666667°E / 44.283333; 17.666667
Geography
Parent range Dinaric Alps

Vlašić is a mountain in the very center of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its highest peak is Paljenik with an elevation of 1,943 m.[1] It is famous for its pastures, cattle-breeding and cheese.[2] It is closest to the town of Travnik, which it overlooks.

Climate

The average winter temperature is 1 °C (29 °F) while the average summer temperature is 14.2 °C (60.8 °F). In the wintertime snowfall is abundant with an average snow coverage of up to 5 months in accumilation between 1.5-2.1 meters.

Culture

Sheep on Vlasic mountain

The toponym is derived from vlasi, "Vlachs", a transhumant people. Academics like Mark Vego believe that the Vlachs, remnant of the Roman Empire, brought one of the trademarks of Vlašić, the Vlašić cheese, in around 1000. It is originally made from fresh sheep milk, but also cow milk, and then left to ripen for two to three months. By perfecting the recipe, the Vlachs passed on the tradition to the cattle breeders from the surrounding mountains. Today, the cheese is produced throughout the area and is regarded one of the traditions of the region. In addition to the cheese, there are two other trademarks, the Tornjak dog and Pramenka sheep. The Tornjak is believed to have existed for more than a millennia, bred to guard from wolves and bears. Its etymology is connected to Neo-Latin torni acca, "turn here".

History

The mountain was an operational site of the World War II in Yugoslavia.[3][4]

During the Bosnian War, it was held by the Bosnian Serb army (VRS).[5] It was tactically important, overlooking Travnik which was held by the Bosnian Muslim army (ARBiH).[5] The 7th Muslim Brigade attacked the mountain in May 1994.[5] It was taken over by the ARBiH sometime before the Dayton Agreement, and subsequently incorporated into the Federation of B&H.

Tourism

Babanovac ski track with ski-lifts and hotels at the end.

The mountain is a major center for winter tourism due to its excellent accommodation for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. It is also a popular destination for summer and eco tourism with many hiking trails and undisturbed wilderness areas.

References

  1. ↑ Nase Planine. 18-19. 1966. p. 161.
  2. ↑ Gojko Jokić (1969). Bosnia--Herzegovina: a tourist guide. The Association of Journalists of Bosnia-Herzegovina, The Tourist Trade Section. p. 17.
  3. ↑ Vojnoistorijski institut (1954). Zbornik dokumenata i podataka o narodnooslobodilačkom ratu naroda Jugoslavija. Vojnoistorijski institut. p. 428.
  4. ↑ Milka Baković-Radosavljević; Milan D. Šijački; Milica Kerkez Baković (2001). Memoari jedne ravnogorke: komunisti i nacifašisti, oni su isti. Pogledi. p. 310.
  5. 1 2 3 Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict, 1990-1995. Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Russian and European Analysis. 2002. pp. 231–234, 301.
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