Zenica

Zenica is an industrial city in the Bosna river valley of Bosnia and Herzegovina, spreading at 330 meters elevation between forested mountains. The river divides the city into two halves and connects older quarters with newer residential areas that grew during industrial expansion in the 20th century.

Romans founded a settlement called Bistua Nova here between the 2nd and 4th centuries and built temples, villas, and public baths. In the late 19th century, an ironworks was established that turned the city into the largest metallurgical center in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Old Bazaar at the city center shows Ottoman trading architecture with covered passages and small shops, where craftspeople still carry out traditional work. The medieval fortress of Vranduk sits on a rock above the river and offers insight into defensive structures from the time before Ottoman rule.

The University of Zenica offers higher education and attracts students from the region, while the city maintains good rail and road links to Sarajevo, located 70 kilometers to the south. Visitors can reach the center on foot from the train station in about 15 minutes and find shops, cafés, and restaurants along the main streets.

Nine national monuments spread across the city document different building phases, from Roman ruins to Ottoman trading houses. The proximity to the mountains allows residents and visitors to shift from city life to forest trails and hiking areas within a short time.