Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country of long and rich history. The whole cities are memorials to past times, such as Jajce, Kraljeva Sutjeska, Bobovac, Vranduk, Počitelj, Prusac, Mostar, Sarajevo , Tešanj, Maglaj, Gradačac, Stolac, and others.

The antique villa on Mogorjelo near Čapljina, the late antique basilica in Breza, the complex of Roman buildings in Putovići near Zenica and in Ilidža near Sarajevo, are archeological locations of first degree. Art historians registered around 3,000 items, for which, according to UNESCO standards, conservation and restoration undertakings should be carried out.

If we were to look for an authentic symbol of this country, that would probably be stećak – an artifact of original Bosnian cult art. Stećci (plural of stećak) were first of all tombstones. These massive stones, their relief drawings and their lapidary writings contain symbols of the lost life.

Stećci are markings of time and testaments of ancient people who felt the need to share very important things with future

One can find stećci throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina , and in Radimlja near town Stolac they form a unique necropolis of this kind in the world.

RARE BOOKS

In the National Museum , as maybe its most valuable exhibit, a Hagada is kept, one of the most beautiful books of its kind in the world. This is a written Hebrew illuminated codex on thinned leather, from the late 14 th or early 15 th century, originating from Spain.

Very valuable examples of Bosnia and Herzegovinian literary heritage are Hval's Anthology, Hrvoje's missal , and other ancient church transcripts.

The Gazi Husrev-bey's library owns an exceptionally valuable calligraphic transcript of the Quran, decorated with rich ornamental elements. This unique literary monument was given as a gift to the library by the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire and the benefactor, originating from this region, Mehmed-Pasha Sokolović.