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◊ Summer 2011 - Pocitelj

 

Počitelj is a town located on the left bank of the river Neretva, on the main Mostar to Metković road, and it is to the south of Mostar. During the Middle Ages, Počitelj was considered the administrative centre and centre of governance of Dubrava župa (county), while its westernmost point gave it major strategic importance. It is believed that the fortified town along with its attendant settlements were built by Bosnia's King Stjepan Tvrtko I in 1383. The walled town of Počitelj evolved in the period from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Architecturally, the stone-constructed parts of the town are a fortified complex, in which two stages of evolution are evident: mediaeval, and Ottoman. The first recorded reference to Počitelj dates from 1444, in Charters by Kings Alfonso V and Friedrich III. In the period between 1463-1471 the town housed a Hungarian garrison. In 1471, following a brief siege, the town was conquered by the Ottomans, and remained within the Ottoman Empire until 1878. From 1782 to 1879 Počitelj was the kadiluk (area under the jurisdiction of a kadija or qadi - judge) centre and it was the headquarters of the Počitelj military district from 1713 to 1835.<br/><br/> Počitelj represents one of the few urban ensembles in Bosnia and Herzegovina that were preserved in their integrity to the present times. It was developed through the several phases of the history beginning with the medieval period. Its significant strategic role from the 13th to 17th century gave its inhabitants the power to build one of the most important, and best preserved ensembles within the city walls in the region Počitelj's layout and use of building materials put it into the group of Ottoman-Mediterranean types of small settlements. As proposed by the University of York, United Kingdom, and the University of Sarajevo, Počitelj was in 1996 named by the World Monuments Watch as one of the world's 100 most endangered cultural heritage sites. This unique settlement, listed as a UNESCO heritage site and recent reconstruction has returned the town to its original form. It was first mentioned in 1444 but some documents show that it was built in the late 14th century upon the order of the Bosnian King Tvrtko. The Hadzi-Alija Mosque has been reconstructed as well as the Sisman-Ibrahimpasina medresa and the Gavran Kapetanovic house, all of which are open to visitors. The Hadzi-Alija Mosque Besides its stunning oriental architecture and Ottoman feel, Pocitelj hosts the longest operating art colony in southeast Europe. <br/> Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage In the year 2000 the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Government initiated the Programme of the permanent protection of Počitelj. Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage Počitelj - UNESCO heritage The most striking object in Pocitelj is the Sahat-kula, a silo-shaped fort that towers from the top of the hill above the town. It housed watchmen and military to guard against possible invasion from the Neretva Valley. <br/>
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