Gavran-kapetan tower
Above the Neretva valley.
Dimitri Gasulla — CC BY 2.0 · Martin badatel — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mister No — CC BY 3.0 · JoJan — CC BY 3.0 · Martin Brož — CC BY 3.0 · Szajci — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fuad Čurčić — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — CC BY 2.0
A historic walled village on the left bank of the Neretva, about 30 kilometres south of Mostar, built into a natural rock amphitheatre above the river. Its walled core is a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina and an open-air museum. The Bosnian king Tvrtko I most likely built its fortress around 1383 to control the trade route between inland Bosnia and the Adriatic coast through the Neretva valley. It later became Ottoman and stayed so until 1878, and the Ottomans added a mosque, a hammam, a madrasa, a clock tower and stone houses. At the top of the fortress, the Gavran-kapetan tower stands on a rock hanging over the river. After 1878 the town lost its military role, which helped preserve its old form to this day. It was heavily damaged during the 1992-1995 war; in 1996 it was named one of the world's 100 most endangered heritage sites, and a permanent programme of protection and restoration began in 2000. Walking around is free, along lanes and steep stone steps that climb to the fortress and tower, with wide views over the Neretva valley. The climb is tiring in summer heat, so go in the morning or late afternoon with good shoes and water. It is reached by car on the Mostar-Metković road or on an organised tour.
Above the Neretva valley.
In a rock amphitheatre.
From the Ottoman era.
Left bank of the Neretva, about 30 km south of Mostar
By car, about 30 kilometres south on the Mostar-Metković road, or on an organised tour. Walking around is free; the climb to the fortress is by steep stone steps, so go in the morning or late afternoon.