Vrelo Bosne

Useful Information

Location:	Ilidža, Sarajevo 71000. On the western outskirts of Sarajevo in suburb Ilidža, signposted. Sarajevo-Mostar Magistrala 17/E73, exit Ilidža, turn left. Or use Magistrala R 953, turn left into Vrelo bosne road. (43.8192831, 18.2679465)
Open:	All year daily 9-21. [2024]
Fee:	Adults BAM 6, Children (6-18) BAM 3, Children (0-5) free. Croatians: Adults BAM 3, Children (6-18) BAM 2, Children (0-5) free, Students BAM 2, Seniors BAM 2, Disabled BAM 1. [2024]
Classification:	Karst Spring
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Natural Monument "Vrelo Bosne", Ilidža, Sarajevo 71000, Tel: +387-33-580-999. E-mail: ZPPKS, Branilaca Sarajeva 28/1, 71000 Sarajevo, Tel: +387-33-201-112, Tel: +387-33-498-959. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Vrelo Bosne (Bosnia Spring, Spring of the river Bosna) is a huge karst spring which is the source of the Mala Bosna river, after which Bosnia is named. The area with the springs is a park, which is also a Nature Protection zone named Vrelo Bosne Nature Monument. There are numerous small springs, starting with the two springs named Vruci Spring in the southeast. In the center area three pools, which are fed by a total of six springs and the seventh is the westernmost which has no lake. All those brooks meet at the restaurant Labud to form the river Mala Bosna. Soon the river splits into five streams with four islands inbetween. There is a trail with bridges across the islands. The whole area is a quite popular park, which is ideal to spend some tranquil hours, except probably on Summer sundays, when it is quite crowded.

Despite the name Vrelo Bosne, this is not the spring of the Bosne or Bosnia river. It is the spring of the Mala Bosne (Little Bosnia), which flows about 3 km to the northeast and meets with the Željeznica river, forming the Bosne river. Other tributaries are from the springs Večerica and Stojčevac.

The Bačevo, the main source of drinking water for the city of Sarajevo, is located here. The springs of the area are the result of the karst water reaching the surface in the valley, that's the reason why there are so many springs in the area. But it seems the situation is even more complex, as there are not only karst springs, but also thermal springs which are used for bathing. This water is heated by geothermal heat and thus originates from greater depth. Unfortunately we have not been able to find any literature about the geological background, so we can just repeat what we read.