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Bijeljina Бијељина
File:Bijeljina City Center Main Pic.JPG
Location of Bijeljina within Republika Srpska
Coordinates: 44°45′N 19°13′E / 44.75°N 19.217°E / 44.75; 19.217
Country	Bosnia and Herzegovina
Entity	Republika Srpska
Government
• Mayor	Mićo Mićić (SDS) [2]
Area
• Total	734 km2 (283 sq mi)
Population [1]
• Municipality	130,000-140,000
• Urban area(city)	70,000
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Area code(s)	55
Website	www.sobijeljina.org

Bijeljina (Serbian Cyrillic: Бијељина, IPA: [bîjɛʎina]^[2]) is a city and municipality in northeastern Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city is the second largest in the Republika Srpska entity after Banja Luka and fifth largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is situated on the flat rich plains of Semberija. Bijeljina is the unofficial center of eastern part of Republika Srpska, with about 140,000-150,000 inhabitants. Bijeljina is located at 6 km (4 mi) from the border of Serbia and 40 km (25 mi) from Croatia. As a prolific lowland city makes one of the centers of production and trade of food. Bijeljina is recognized by the vast central square, which increases the beauty of a pleasant ambience of the City Park.

In May 2012, the government of Republic of Srpska made a decision to change the status of Bijeljina municipality and assigned status of the city to Bijeljina.

Prehistory and Antiquity[link]

In the area of Bijeljina municipality the verfied oldest traces of human life come from the New Stone Age (5000 – 3000 years BC). Also there were found remains from the Neolithic period, Bronze and Iron Ages and antiquity. Investigated the sites of Gradac and farm in Batkovic, Glavičica, Kučerina the courts, Village in Kojčinovac, boats in the Triješnici, and from the ancient period was investigated at the site of a Roman villa in Prekaja Brodac, and in the Obarska the lead plates found in the cult uses to play 'Danubian horseman'.

Old Slavs[link]

The most famous site that is explored here from both sides of the Bistrika between the village and Batkovic Ostojićevo and consisted of four sites in the period between the seventh and twelfth century. It is particularly important that the site Chelopek explored more complex metallurgical workshop village where they find ancestors in the eighth century, melted iron and manufactured iron tools, which clearly testifies to finding graphite pot which is kept in the Museum of Bijeljina. At this time a village in Bistrik, likely called Bistrica, there is no doubt the center of the parish which covered the entire valley before he came Bijeljina.

Petar Karađorđević I monument. He was the King of Serbia from 1903-1918.

Although the name Bijeljina was first mentioned in 1446, this name was in use only after 1918. During Austro-Hungarian period, the town had the name Bjelina and, before that, Belina or Bilina.

In 1838 the first confessional elementary school was opened. A modern school building was built in 1902. In this school worked Jovan Dučić between 1893-1895.^[3] Jovan Dučić was a famous Hercegovinian Serb poet, writer and diplomat. Today a street in central Bijeljina is named after him.

In front of the city hall is a statue of King Petar Karađorđević. The monument is of the Serbian king from 1903-1918. During the Second World War the Ustaše removed it. After World War Two the communist government refused to return the monument. The first non-communist local government returned the monument in the early 1990s.

In its emerging Bijeljina has experienced its boom after joining up in Yugoslavia and especially in the second half of the 20th century, when it received a significant facilities for its economic and cultural development: the new factories, schools, medical facilities, cultural organizations and other important facilities social standards. The city is spatially expanded and grown into a modern resort.

New birth of Bijeljina is experienced in the late nineties and the first decade of the 21st century. After a population boom due to war events and population saturation and insufficient capacity of the city that was built in less need, today you can see re-building of Bijeljina in the big city. Popping up new settlements, roads, schools, universities, cultural institutions etc...

Tavna Monastery[link]

The Tavna Monastery is located in the southern part of the Bijeljina municipality. The date of foundation is hidden somewhere in the shadows of the far past. The cronichles of monasteries Tronosha and Pech say it was built by Dragutin's sons Vladislav i Urosic. Stefan Dragutin was the King of Serbia from 1276 to 1282 and king of Srem from 1282 to 1316. The present church of monastery Tavna, is built in the same place as the original one. The Tavna Monastery is older than the other monasteries in the region such as Ozrena, Liplja, Vozuce and Gostovica. Tavna was damaged in the first years of Turkish rule, but was restored by the people. This was not the only time the monastery was damaged. It was damaged many times during the Turkish period and also during World War Two. Between 1941 and 1945 Tavna was bombed by the Ustase. On one of the gravestones it says "Zdravko Jovacnovic Killed 1943 by the Ustasa Blue Division protecting and defending the monastery". After World War Two Tavna was rebuilt.^[4]

Bosnian War[link]

In early 1991-1992 Bijeljina was the center of the local Serb Autonomous Region, organized by the local Serb majority - SAO Semberija i Majevica.

Bijeljina was one of the first places to be dragged into the war, being located at a key strategic location. In the first days of April 1992, the town was attacked by Serb paramilitary groups led by Arkan. According to contemporary news reports, up to 1000 civilians were killed, and the non-Serb population was driven out.^[5] This was one of the first instances of ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is surmised that Bijeljina was attacked first because of its strategic location in the north-eastern corner of Bosnia near the Serbian border.^[6] Bijeljina was then included in the Serb-proclaimed Republika Srpska.

During the war, Bijeljina saw a large influx of Serb refugees from other regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Architecture[link]

Serbian Orthodox Church (Svetog Đorđa) Saint George which was built in 1872. The second oldest building is the Semberija. Museum which was built in 1876. It is noted that the oldest building in Bijeljina was Atik Mosque in the city centre, built in 1530 and demolished to the ground during the Bosnian War 1992-1995.

Basil of Ostrog Monastery in the center of Bijeljina is a newly built monastery (2001.) Dedicated to St. Basil of Ostrog. The bell tower with a clock of over 30 meters dominates the surroundings and a symbol of the monastery. As part of the monastery is a museum, dining room, library, hermitages for monks. Inside the temple is painted magnificent frescoes. It is particularly valuable copy Trojeručica miraculous icons, the gift from Hilandar monastery. In Bijeljina, also located the Holy Temple, the Church of St. Petka and the old Catholic church.

The City Park (Gradski Park) was founded in 1892.

Museum of Semberija began working as a museum collection 1972. And later grew into a museum facility with over 10,000 exhibits and 3 of the permanent exhibition. Located in the heart of the city, and it takes place and various cultural events.

The Library "Filip Višnjić" is the oldest cultural institution in Bijeljina - founded in 1932 year, thanks to prominent people and intellectuals. Played a major role in raising the cultural level of the construction and opening of reading rooms in rural villages of Semberija. Now located in a modern building and has over 100,000 books.

Education[link]

The first literacy people in Semberija previously attending in the monasteries. In Bijeljina was the first primary school opened in 1838. After the World War II changed the school system, so that in 1951 opened the first elementary grade school, and 5 years later one more. The third and fourth elementary school opened 1959th, and 1966th year. From 1953. in the city there is a basic music school. Primary schools in Bijeljina are: OS Sveti Sava, OS Knez Ivo od Semberije, OS Vuk Karadžić, OS Jovan Dučić. In the city there are several high schools as "Gimnazija Filip Višnjić", music high school, agricultural school, the economic and technical schools.

University of Bijeljina has many faculty like Faculty of Law, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Education and Faculty of Business Economics. The main private universities in the city are Slobomir P University and University Sinergija. With the construction of a large University building in Bijeljina, the city became one of the most important center for education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and campus for many students around the region.

Transportation[link]

The basic street network is dependent on the main routes: the M-14.1 Brcko-Zvornik and the M-18 Raca-Ugljevik. The complete road network in contact with the city and the urban traffic network is extremely radial orientation. She had eleven major transportation routes, which link directly to the city. Around the city is located bypass, but isn't fully completed. The main bus station in Bijeljina is located in the central zone of the city. The main bus station in Bijeljina is owned by Semberija Transport. From Bijeljina passengers can travel to other cities in the region as well as some cities in Europe such as Ljubljana, Vienna, Berlin, Munich, Zurich, Stockholm. There is only one railway line in Bijeljina. That railway line stretches from Bijeljina to Šid in Serbia. From Šid it joins another line going east towards Belgrade or going west to Croatia.

Public Transport[link]

The main public transport system in Bijeljina is made up of bus routes that provide transportation from surrounding villages to the city center. Public passenger transport performed in Bijeljina 50 buses. There are 12 lines of public transport in the city. Price of one-way ticket is 1.5KM.

Bus routes[link]

Distances[link]

• Sarajevo: 210 kilometres (130 mi);
• Belgrade: 139 kilometres (86 mi);
• Banja Luka: 273 kilometres (170 mi);
• Vienna: 645 kilometres (401 mi);
• Budapest: 407 kilometres (253 mi).

Geography[link]

Semberija is a flat region which is bound by the rivers Sava, Drina and the Majevica mountains.The entire Semberija area is typically an agricultural region which has fertile land and suitable weather conditions.

Semberija has the most developed agricultural area in Republika Srpska. The focus of the production is on wheat and corns, vegetables, cabbage, paprika, tomato and water-melon. Also, cattle-breeding (fattening of cows and pigs) and growing fruits.

Settlements[link]

Places in the Bijeljina municipality: Amajlije, Balatun, Banjica, Batar, Batković, Bijeljina, Bjeloševac, Brijesnica, Brodac Donji, Brodac Gornji, Bukovica Donja, Bukovica Gornja, Crnjelovo Donje, Crnjelovo Gornje, Čađavica Donja, Čađavica Gornja, Čađavica Srednja, Čardačine, Čengić, Ćipirovine, Dazdarevo, Dragaljevac Donji, Dragaljevac Gornji, Dragaljevac Srednji, Dvorovi, Glavičice, Glavičorak, Glogovac, Gojsovac, Golo Brdo, Hase, Janja, Johovac, Kacevac, Kojčinovac, Kovanluk, Kriva Bara, Ljeljenča, Ljeskovac, Magnojević Donji, Magnojević Gornji, Magnojević Srednji, Međaši, Modran, Novo Naselje, Novo Selo, Obrijež, Ostojićevo, Patkovača, Piperci, Popovi, Dijelovi, Pučile, Ruhotina, Suho Polje, Triješnica, Trnjaci, Velika Obarska, Velino Selo, Vršani, Zagoni.

Tourism[link]

Bijeljina holds many events. Bijeljina holds an international Folklore Festival known as Semberija folk fest, Rhythm of Europe. The festival is held each year in the period 04-08. August. Mascot of the festival the Hedgehog as a symbol of good fellowship. The aim of the Festival is to cherish and promote the folklore tradition of the people from all over the world. Ethno village Stanišić is a well known tourist location in the country. Ethno village Stanišici takes people back in time making people closer to nature and ancestors, and making people admire the simplicity of rural life of the past. Ethno village Stanišić contains the Serbian Orthodox Monastery Sveti Nikola (St Nicolas), Hotel Pirg, and ethno restaurant.

The Dvorovi Spa is one of the most famous spas in the Republic of Srpska. The Dvorovi Spa was formed after the discovery of thermal water drilling for oil exploration 1957th in Semberija. The depth of the source is at 1435 meters, the water is oligomineral, and the thermal temperature is 75 ° S.

SKUD Semberija at the Semberija folk fest in Bijeljina 2006

Demographics[link]

1991[link]

At the 1991 census, Bijeljina municipality had 96,796 inhabitants, including:^[7]

• 57,541 (59%) Serbs
• 30,314 (34%) Bosniaks
• 517 Croats
• 4,168 others

Present[link]

In 2005, the municipality has 105,000 inhabitants^[8]

Many cities and much of the regional population emigrates to Bijeljina, and the city has became a regional center with an increasing number of citizens. In 2010 estimates are that the city of Bijeljina has about 65,000-70,000 inhabitants, while the municipality has about 140,000 people, maybe more. Municipality and the city of Bijeljina are second by population in the Republic of Srpska - just behind the city of Banja Luka. Last BiH population data is saying that Bijeljina is 4th city in BiH by inhabitants, even ahead of city of Mostar and Zenica, and after Sarajevo, Banjaluka and Tuzla.

Sports[link]

Bijeljina has one major stadium known as Bijeljina Gradski Stadion. That Stadium is home to FK Radnik Bijeljina, which plays in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first football was brought to Bijeljina in 1916. The first football club was FK Podrinje which was formed in 1919. Later came the clubs FK Zora in 1920, FK Građanski in 1923, and FK Semberija in 1935. After World War Two, FK Radnik Bijeljina was formed.

KK Budućnost Bijeljina, KK Radnik Bijeljina and KK Bijeljina Plus.

OK Radnik Bijeljina which plays in the first division of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bijeljina has also the Hiking Club Majevica that exists more than twenty years. PED "Majevica" members for many years are marking recreational mountain path that starts from the Tavna Monastery to "Novakova pecina" where, there is a nice view of the straight Semberija and valley of the river by the name Tavna(Domana).

Boxing is becoming ever popular in Bijeljina as its fighters and youth are becoming known as every event is held there, Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Scuba diving is present in Bijeljina for quite some time. The first scuba-diving club formed in Bijeljina is called Ronilacki Klub "Panteri" (Panthers), and nowadays another club has been formed called "Nautilus". Both are participants of "Otvoreno prvenstvo Republike Srpske u ronjenju", which takes place every year.

Twin towns — Sister cities[link]

Other forms of cooperation and city friendship similar to the twin/sister city programmes:

• Kruševac, Serbia
• Ruse, Bulgaria
• Kumanovo, Macedonia
• Langenhagen, Germany

Notable people from Bijeljina[link]

• Savo Milošević, football player
• Mirko Ilić, graphic designer and comics artist
• Filip Višnjić, epic poet
• Rodoljub Čolaković, Yugoslav politician and writer, Yugoslav People's Hero
• Cvijetin Mijatović, Chairman of the Collective Presidency of Yugoslavia, Yugoslav People's Hero
• Knez Ivo od Semberije, prince (knez)
• Milenko Atanacković, painter
• Elez Dervišević, youngest WWI soldier
• Fadil Jahić Španac, Yugoslav People's Hero
• Veljko Lukić Kurjak, Yugoslav People's Hero
• Milivoje Mlađenović, writer
• Salih Alić, poet
• Srđan Vuletić, film director and screenwriter
• Husref Musemić, football player and manager
• Admir Smajić, football player
• Faruk Hujdurović, football player
• Zlatko Junuzović, football player
• Branimir Bajić, football player
• Dragan Mićić, football player
• Duško Kondor, human rights activist
• Lazar Manojlović, writer, journalist and human rights activist
• Slađana Erić, volleyball player
• Ramiz Suljanović, basketball player
• Frenkie, Bosnian rapper

See also[link]

• Semberija
• Slobomir

References[link]

External links[link]

• City of Bijeljina (Old ond New news)
• Grad Bijeljina
• Bijeljina danas

v t e Political divisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina v t e Entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Republika Srpska v t e Cantons of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina      Una-Sana  Central Bosnia  Posavina  Herzegovina-Neretva  Tuzla  West Herzegovina  Zenica-Doboj  Sarajevo  Bosnian Podrinje  Canton 10 v t e Districts of Bosnia and Herzegovina Brčko distrikt v t e Municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina Capital Sarajevo Municipalities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Banovići Bihać Bosanska Krupa Bosanski Petrovac Bosansko Grahovo Bugojno Busovača Bužim Čapljina Cazin Čelić Centar, Sarajevo Čitluk Drvar Doboj East Doboj South Dobratići Domaljevac-Šamac Donji Vakuf Foča-Ustikolina Fojnica Glamoč Goražde Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje Gračanica Gradačac Grude Hadžići Ilidža Ilijaš Jablanica Jajce Kakanj Kalesija Kiseljak Kladanj Ključ Konjic Kreševo Kupres Livno Ljubuški Lukavac Maglaj Mostar Neum Novi Grad, Sarajevo Novo Sarajevo Novi Travnik Odžak Olovo Orašje Pale-Prača Posušje Prozor-Rama Ravno Sanski Most Sapna Široki Brijeg Srebrenik Stari Grad, Sarajevo Stolac Teočak Tešanj Tomislavgrad Travnik Trnovo (FBiH) Tuzla Usora Vareš Velika Kladuša Visoko Vitez Vogošća Zavidovići Zenica Žepče Živinice Municipalities of Republika Srpska Berkovići Bijeljina Bileća Brod Bratunac Čajniče Čelinac Derventa Doboj Donji Žabar Foča Gacko Grad Banja Luka Grad Istočno Sarajevo Gradiška Han Pijesak Istočni Drvar Istočna Ilidža Istočni Mostar Istočni Stari Grad Istočno Novo Sarajevo Jezero Kalinovik Kneževo Kostajnica Kozarska Dubica Kotor Varoš Krupa na Uni Kupres Laktaši Ljubinje Lopare Milići Modriča Mrkonjić Grad Nevesinje Novi Grad Novo Goražde Osmaci Oštra Luka Pale Pelagićevo Petrovac Petrovo Prijedor Prnjavor Ribnik Rogatica Rudo Šamac Šekovići Šipovo Sokolac Srbac Srebrenica Teslić Trebinje Trnovo Ugljevik Višegrad Vlasenica Vukosavlje Zvornik v t e Subdivisions of Bijeljina Municipality Amajlije Balatun Banjica Batar Batković Bijeljina Bjeloševac Brijesnica Brodac Donji Brodac Gornji Bukovica Donja Bukovica Gornja Crnjelovo Donje Crnjelovo Gornje Čađavica Donja Čađavica Gornja Čađavica Srednja Čardačine Čengić Ćipirovine Dazdarevo Dragaljevac Donji Dragaljevac Gornji Dragaljevac Srednji Dvorovi Glavičice Glavičorak Glogovac Gojsovac Golo Brdo Hase Janja Johovac Kacevac Kojčinovac Kovanluk Kriva Bara Ljeljenča Ljeskovac Magnojević Donji Magnojević Gornji Magnojević Srednji Međaši Modran Novo Naselje Novo Selo Obrijež Ostojićevo Patkovača Piperci Popovi Dijelovi Pučile Ruhotina Suho Polje Triješnica Trnjaci Velika Obarska Velino Selo Vršani Zagoni

Coordinates: 44°45′N 19°13′E / 44.75°N 19.217°E / 44.75; 19.217

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