The "Franciscana" cycling tour, which took place from August 30 to September 1, 2024, achieved remarkable success in fulfilling its goals. This event, organized by the HerzegovinaBike Association in cooperation with the ZZH Government Office for EU Integration, not only connected the Franciscan monasteries of St. Luke in Jajce and St. John the Baptist in Kraljeva Sutjeska, has already symbolically united two historic royal cities, thus further emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage and historical connection of the region.
The Franciscan cultural route is a tour that takes us through the seven centuries of history of these areas, which marked the continuous activity of the Franciscans not only as spiritual shepherds, but also as guardians of the cultural and historical heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Throughout the long history of activity of this order, Franciscan monasteries have also become centers of cultural, educational and artistic life of Croats in these areas.
Confluence of the Royal Cities
The cycling adventure began in the magnificent city of Jajce, where the history of every street and building is a witness to a rich past. The city of Jajce, known for its role as the royal capital and center of political life in medieval Bosnia, was the starting point that allowed every participant to feel the spirit of history. The tour started from the Franciscan Monastery of St. Ive with a museum where the remains of the last Bosnian king Stjepan Tomašević Kotromanić are kept. With historical significance dating back to the Middle Ages, Jajce was the perfect destination to start this journey.
By connecting the Franciscan monasteries in Jajce and Kraljeva Sutjeska, the Franciscan Cultural Route becomes even richer and more complete, and offers a unique experience for all lovers of culture, history and nature, as well as cycle tourists from all over the world who will cycle along the Franciscan Cultural Route and visit these locations through tourist arrangements .
Connecting Royal Heritage
On Saturday, the cyclists headed towards Kraljeva Sutjeska, another royal town with a rich history, where the Franciscan Monastery of St. John the Baptist, which through its existence, history and especially the museum collection connects the present with the past up to the time of the Bosnian kings and bans. Kraljeva Sutjeska, which was also a royal city and an important cultural center, represented the final point of this cultural journey. Crossing almost 140 km through the picturesque landscapes of Bosnia and Herzegovina connected not only the Franciscan monasteries but also the two royal cities, thus creating a unique link between the past and the present.
By connecting the Franciscan monasteries in Jajce and Kraljeva Sutjeska, the Franciscan cycling tour not only connects cultural and historical places, but also symbolically highlights the importance of these royal cities in shaping the cultural and historical identity of the region's history. This cycling tour allowed participants to experience and explore significant historical sites, while at the same time participating in active tourism that celebrates the preservation of cultural and historical heritage. This connection, emphasized through the cycling adventure, further enriched and deepened the understanding of the history of both cities as well as the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole.
“During this bike ride, our cyclists will not only cover kilometers, but will contribute to the preservation and promotion of our rich cultural heritage. Connecting the monasteries in Jajce and Kraljeva Sutjeska through the Franciscan Cultural Route shows how sport can play a key role in the preservation and valorization of historical monuments. Our mission is to put these jewels of cultural heritage in focus, not only locally, but also for the wider public", said Toni Zorić, organizer and president of the HerzegovinaBike association.
“The Franciscan cultural route is a unique cultural route that takes us through the seventh-century history of Bosnia and Herzegovina and these wider areas, in which different empires, kingdoms, monarchies, and states changed, but the only constant and continuity is related to the activities of the Franciscans, who were a kind of guardians of cultural and historical heritage. Namely, every Franciscan monastery, in addition to its spiritual activity, preserves a valuable cultural and historical heritage preserved from decay, theft, and destruction during these seven centuries, and because of this we can freely say that the Franciscans are the guardians of cultural and historical heritage. Therefore, this story should be told and recognized, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world, because this story forms a large part of our cultural and historical identity.," stated Ivan Jurilj, Director of the Office for European Integration of West Herzegovina County.
Support of the Central Bosnia Tourist Board
The Tourist Board of Srednje Bosnia saw the importance and offered its support to this project. The Franciscan cultural route is already recognized as an attractive destination for cycle tourists and the common desire is to develop this cultural route that promotes Bosnia and Herzegovina as a destination in a new way. The KSB Tourist Board organized a meeting at the Bike Friendly Cafe-Restaurant Motel Dani in Nova Bilja to support the development of cycle tourism in the region.
This cycling tour as part of the Franciscan Cultural Route successfully combined the cultural and historical gems of the region, allowing participants to experience personally the importance of connecting the royal cities of Jajce and Kraljeva Sutjeska. Through this unique cycling adventure, historical monuments are not only preserved and promoted, but also important parts of the cultural and historical heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina are symbolically connected. Association HerzegovinaBike and the ŽZH Government Office for EU Integration continue to work on projects that connect cultural and historical heritage with active tourism, ensuring that our historical gems receive the attention they deserve.
