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Travnik Травник
—  Town and Municipality  —
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Travnik within Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Travnik Location of Travnik
Coordinates: 44°14′N 17°40′E / 44.233°N 17.667°E / 44.233; 17.667Coordinates: 44°14′N 17°40′E / 44.233°N 17.667°E / 44.233; 17.667
Country	Bosnia and Herzegovina
Government
• Municipality president	Admir Hadžiemrić (SDA)
Area
• Total	529 km2 (204 sq mi)
Population
• Total	75,000
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Area code(s)	+387 30
Website	http://www.opcinatravnik.com.ba

Travnik.

Travnik.

Mosque in Travnik.

Vizier's grave(turbe) in Travnik.

Refugees in Travnik, 1992-1993. Photo by Mikhail Evstafiev

Travnik (Cyrillic: Травник) is a town and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, 90 km west of Sarajevo. It is the capital of the Central Bosnia Canton, and is located in the Travnik Municipality. Travnik today has some 27,000 residents, with a metro (municipality) population that is probably close to 70,000 people. It is famous for being the capital city of the governors of Bosnia from 1697 to 1850, and having a cultural heritage dating from that period.

Geography and climate[link]

Geography[link]

Travnik is located near the geographic center of Bosnia and Herzegovina at 44°14′N 17°40′E / 44.233°N 17.667°E / 44.233; 17.667. The river Lašva passes through the city, flowing from west to east before joining the Bosna. Travnik itself is built in the large Lašva river valley, which connects the Bosna river valley in the east with the Vrbas river valley in the west.

Travnik is found 514 meters above sea level. Its most distinguishing geographic feature are its mountains, Vilenica and Vlašić. Vlašić, named after the Vlachs, is one of the tallest mountains in the country at 1933 meters (6342 ft).

Climate[link]

Travnik has a continental climate, located between the Adriatic sea to the South and Pannonia to the North. Average summer temperature is 18.2°C (64.8°F). Average winter temperature on the other hand is a cold 0.5°C (33°F). It snows in Travnik every year.

History[link]

Although there is evidence of some settlement in the region dating back to the Bronze Age, the true history of Travnik begins during the first few centuries AD. Dating from this time there are numerous indications of Roman settlement in the region, including graves, forts, the remains of various other structures, early Christian basilicas, etc. etc. In the city itself, Roman coins and plaques have been found. Some writing found indicates the settlement is closely connected to the known Roman colony in modern day Zenica, 30 km (19 mi) away.

In the Middle Ages the Travnik area is known as the župa Lašva province of the medieval Bosnian kingdom. The area is first mentioned by Bela IV of Hungary in 1244. Travnik itself was one of a number of fortified towns in the region, with its fortress Kaštel becoming today's old town sector. The city itself is first mentioned by the Ottomans during their conquest of nearby Jajce.

After the Ottoman conquest of Bosnia, much of the local population converted to Islam. The city quickly grew into one of the more important settlements in the region, as authorities constructed mosques, marketplaces, and various infrastructure. During 1699 when Sarajevo was set afire by soldiers of Field-Marshal Prince Eugene of Savoy, Travnik became the capital of the Ottoman province of Bosnia and residence of the Bosnian viziers. The city became an important center of government in the whole Western frontier of the empire, and consulates were established by the governments of France and Austria-Hungary.

The period of Austrian occupation brought westernization and industry to Travnik, but also a reduction of importance. While cities such as Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Zenica grew rapidly, Travnik changed so little that during 1991 it had a mere 30,000 or so people, with 70,000 in the entire municipality.

During the Bosnian War, the town mostly escaped damage from conflict with Serbian forces, but the area experienced fighting between local Bosniak and Croat factions before the Washington Agreement was signed. After the war, Travnik was made the capital of the Central Bosnia Canton.

Demographics[link]

1971[link]

55.822 total

• Bosniaks - 24.480 (43,85%)
• Croats - 22.645 (40,56%)
• Serbs - 7.554 (13,53%)
• Yugoslavs - 626 (1,12%)
• others - 517 (0,94%)

1991[link]

Demographic statistics for Travnik are scarce. According to the 1991 Yugoslav census, the area had a population of 70,747. Of these, 31,813 were Bosniaks (45%), 26,118 were Croats (37%), 7,777 were Serbs (11%), and 5,039 "others" (7%). In city itself there was a Croat majority;

Croats made 37,29% city population, Bosniaks 35,98%, Serbs 10,11%, Yugoslavs 13,4%, and others 3,22%. Croats made majority in Bojna, Gornji DOlac, Kalibunar and Poirota, while Bosniaks were majority in Centar and Stari grad (old city).

1997[link]

After the war were great population shifts, as well as possible ethnic cleansing in the region. Thousands of Croats and Serbs left the area, while thousands of Bosniak refugees came in. By December 1997, the area's population was only 59,367. Of these, 48,861 were Bosniaks (82%), 539 Serbs (1%), 9,144 Croats (15%), and 823 others (1.4*).^{[citation needed]}

2004[link]

Latest population figures are mostly estimates. It is assumed that since 1997, a combination of returning refugees and steady birth rate has resulted in the area's population increasing to about 70,000 residents. As for the city itself, international organizations estimated that by 2004 there were 26,510 people in the city itself.

2005[link]

In 2005, most of the inhabitants of the Travnik municipality were ethnic Bosniaks (86%), while ethnic Croats comprised 14%.^{[citation needed]}

Government[link]

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, very few cities actually have what would be considered "city governments". Instead, the country's municipalities are essentially based from chief settlement to chief settlement. Thus, though Travnik doesn't really have a city government of its own, it is part of "Municipality Travnik" which for all practical purposes is the de facto city government since its area of jurisdiction covers Travnik and the outlying villages and small towns. An exception to this rule are cities so large they cover more than one municipality (for example, Sarajevo).

Asides from being the obvious center of municipality government, Travnik is also the capital of the Central Bosnia Canton, one of the 10 Cantons of Bosnia. Its current mayor is Tahir Lendo;. The municipality government has various bureau's dedicated to help in the running of the region, ranging from the bureau of urbanization and construction, to the bureau of refugees and displaced persons.

Economy[link]

The economy of the Travnik region, which was never anything extraordinary, suffered greatly during the war period of the early 1990s. In 1981 Travnik's GDP per capita was 63% of the Yugoslav average.^[1] Nowadays, most of the region deals with typical rural work such as farming and herding. As for urban industry, Travnik has several factories producing everything from matches to furniture. Food processing is also a strong industry in the region, especially meat and milk companies.

Culture[link]

Travnik has a strong culture, mostly dating back to its time as the center of local government in the Ottoman Empire. Travnik has a popular old town district however, which dates back to the period of Bosnian independence during the first half of the 15th century. Numerous mosques and Croatian Catholic churches exist in the region, as do tombs of important historical figures and excellent examples of Ottoman architecture. The city museum, built in 1950, is one of the more impressive cultural institutions in the region. Travnik became famous by important persons who were born or lived in Travnik. The most important are Ivo Andrić (writer, Nobel Prize for literature in 1961), Miroslav Ćiro Blažević (soccer coach of Croatian national team, won third place 1998 in France), Josip Pejaković (actor), Seid Memić Vajta (pop-singer) and Davor Džalto (artist and art historian, the youngest Ph.D. in Germany and in the South-East European region) and Josip Pavić (actor, Croatian National Theatre, b 1887 d 1936.)

Tourism[link]

Like many Bosnian towns, Travnik's tourism is based largely on its history and geography. Nearby Mt.Vlašić is one of the tallest peaks in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and an excellent spot for skiing, hiking, and sledding. Though tourism isn't very strong for the city, Vlašić is probably its chief tourist attraction. The city itself is also of interest. Numerous structures dating to the Ottoman era have survived in near perfect condition, such as numerous mosques, oriental homes, two clock towers (it is the only city in Bosnia and Herzegovina to have two clock towers), and fountains. The city's old town dates back to the early 15th century, making it one of the most popular widely accessible sites from that time.

Miscellaneous[link]

Ivo Andrić, who won the Nobel Prize for literature,^[2] was born in Travnik on October 9, 1892. A popular work of his, Travnička hronika ("The Chronicles of Travnik" 1945, title translated as "The Days of the Consuls" or "Bosnian Chronicle"), is set here. The Bosnian Tornjak, one of Bosnia's two major dog breeds and national symbol, originated in the area, found around Mt.Vlašić. The local football (soccer) team is NK Travnik, established in 1922.

Twin cities[link]

• Leipzig, Germany
• Kruševac, Serbia

Gallery[link]

• 

  Suleimania Mosque

• Suleimania Mosque.jpg

  Suleimania Mosque

• 

  Suleimania Mosque

• Suleimania Mosque 03.JPG

  Suleimania Mosque

• 

  Sahat Kule, Clock Tower

• 

  Another Clock Tower

• 

  Ivo Andric House

• 

  View from Travnik Castle

• 

  Entrance to Travnik

• 

  Birthplace (home) of Ivo Andrić

• 

  Poturmahala.

• 

  Old Town

• 

  Centre

References[link]

External links[link]

• http://www.opcinatravnik.com.ba
• Information about city
• Travnik — A city guide (English)
• http://www.novitravnik.info
• http://www.eko-fis.com.ba

v t e Municipalities of the Central Bosnia Canton Bugojno Busovača Dobratići Donji Vakuf Fojnica Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje Jajce Kiseljak Kreševo Novi Travnik Travnik Vitez

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

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