Nevesinje
Encyclopedia
Nevesinje is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina
, located in eastern Herzegovina
between Mostar
and Gacko
. It is administratively part of the Republika Srpska
entity.
and administratively it is part of the Republika Srpska
entity. This mountaneus municipality covers 1040 km² (402 sq mi) and average elevation is 860 m above the sea level. A large Karst
plain dominates the municipality.
Almost 25% of people living in the municipality are over 60 years of age. The unemployment rate is very high and many younger people are leaving Nevesinje looking for employment in other parts of the former Yugoslavia
, or even further in Europe or overseas.
Batkovići, Bežđeđe, Biograd, Bojišta, Borovčići, Bratač, Budisavlje, Donja Bijenja, Donji Drežanj, Donji Lukavac, Dramiševo, Gaj, Gornja Bijenja, Gornji Drežanj, Gornji Lukavac, Grabovica, Hrušta, Humčani, Jasena, Jugovići, Kifino Selo, Kljen, Kljuna, Kovačići, Krekovi, Kruševljani, Lakat, Luka, Miljevac, Nevesinje, Odžak, Plužine, Podgrađe, Postoljani, Presjeka, Pridvorci, Prkovići, Rabina, Rast, Rilja, Rogače, Seljani, Slato, Sopilja, Studenci, Šehovina, Šipačno, Trtine, Trusina, Udrežnje, Zaborani, Zalom, Zalužje, Zovi Do, Žiljevo, Žuberin and Žulja.
(Pećka Patrijarsija) mentioned Nevesinje in 1219, which is the earliest appearance of the municipality of Nevesinje in preserved historical sources.
The Nevesinje region was under the rule of different medieval lords until the end of the 15th century. The most significant ruler of Nevesinje from this period was Stjepan Vukčić Kosača
, known as Herceg Stjepan. The whole land Hercegovina was named after him. Stjepan's lands were under the constant treat from advancing Turkish forces in the 15th century. Hercegovina, and thus Nevesinje were gradually incorporated into the Turkish Empire by the first quarter of the 15th century (1422).
During the period of Turkish rule Nevesinje was mostly part of Bosnian Pashaluk
and was a seat of a qadi
. It was at Nevesinje that the Great Eastern Crisis was ignited, with the outbreak of the Herzegovinian rebellion
of 1875-1878 when peasants of the region rebelled against Turkish tax collectors. The rebellion soon spread to the rest of Herzegovina
and to Bosnia and other parts of the Ottoman Empire
. Neighbouring states, Serbia
, Montenegro
and Bulgaria
got involved in the conflict which in turn pulled in great powers of the time. The conflict ended with Congress of Berlin
in 1878 and the province of Bosnia and Herzegovina
was placed under the administration of Austria-Hungary
. At the same time Romania
, Serbia
, and Montenegro
were declared independent principalities.
People of Nevesinje continued their struggle against foreign rule with an uprising against Austria-Hungary
in 1882. This uprising is interesting because it was the first time that Orthodox Serbs and Muslim Bosniaks fought on the same side under the slogan: "For the holy cross and the faith of Muhammad
" (Za krst časni i vjeru Muhamedovu).
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, located in eastern Herzegovina
Herzegovina
Herzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
between Mostar
Mostar
Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the largest and one of the most important cities in the Herzegovina region and the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country...
and Gacko
Gacko
Gacko is a town and municipality in southeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Republika Srpska entity. It is situated in the Foča Region.-Geography:The town is in a short distance from Montenegro...
. It is administratively part of the Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska is one of two main political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
entity.
Geography
The municipality of Nevesinje is located in southern part of Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
and administratively it is part of the Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska is one of two main political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
entity. This mountaneus municipality covers 1040 km² (402 sq mi) and average elevation is 860 m above the sea level. A large Karst
KARST
Kilometer-square Area Radio Synthesis Telescope is a Chinese telescope project to which FAST is a forerunner. KARST is a set of large spherical reflectors on karst landforms, which are bowlshaped limestone sinkholes named after the Kras region in Slovenia and Northern Italy. It will consist of...
plain dominates the municipality.
Population
The last census was done in 1991 so present population facts are based on estimates. Currently, municipality's population is estimated to be around 18,000. Approximately 10,000 of those are permanent residents while the remaining 8,000 are listed as refuges. Many of these refuges ended up in Nevesinje as a result of population shifts that occurred during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1992-1995 and have lived In Nevesinje for over 10 years.Almost 25% of people living in the municipality are over 60 years of age. The unemployment rate is very high and many younger people are leaving Nevesinje looking for employment in other parts of the former Yugoslavia
Former Yugoslavia
The former Yugoslavia is a term used to describe the present day states which succeeded the collapse of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia....
, or even further in Europe or overseas.
| year of census | total | Serbs Serbs The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in... | Bosniaks Bosniaks The Bosniaks or Bosniacs are a South Slavic ethnic group, living mainly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a smaller minority also present in other lands of the Balkan Peninsula especially in Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia... | Croats Croats Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have... | Yugoslavs Yugoslavs Yugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora... | others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~1991~ | 14,448 | 10,711 (74.13%) | 3,313 (22.93%) | 210 (1.45%) | 123 (0.85%) | 91 (0.62%) |
| ~1981~ | 16,326 | 11,587 (70.97%) | 3,853 (23.60%) | 276 (1.69%) | 521 (3.19%) | 89 (0.54%) |
| ~1971~ | 19,333 | 14,479 (74.89%) | 4,370 (22.60%) | 384 (1.98%) | 28 (0.14%) | 72 (0.37%) |
The town of Nevesinje
| year of census | total | Serbs Serbs The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in... | Bosniaks Bosniaks The Bosniaks or Bosniacs are a South Slavic ethnic group, living mainly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a smaller minority also present in other lands of the Balkan Peninsula especially in Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia... | Croats Croats Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have... | Yugoslavs Yugoslavs Yugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora... | others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~1991~ | 4,068 | 3,247 (79.81%) | 634 (15.58%) | 39 (0.95%) | 104 (2.55%) | 44 (1.08%) |
Settlements in Nevesinje municipality, 1991.
total: 56Batkovići, Bežđeđe, Biograd, Bojišta, Borovčići, Bratač, Budisavlje, Donja Bijenja, Donji Drežanj, Donji Lukavac, Dramiševo, Gaj, Gornja Bijenja, Gornji Drežanj, Gornji Lukavac, Grabovica, Hrušta, Humčani, Jasena, Jugovići, Kifino Selo, Kljen, Kljuna, Kovačići, Krekovi, Kruševljani, Lakat, Luka, Miljevac, Nevesinje, Odžak, Plužine, Podgrađe, Postoljani, Presjeka, Pridvorci, Prkovići, Rabina, Rast, Rilja, Rogače, Seljani, Slato, Sopilja, Studenci, Šehovina, Šipačno, Trtine, Trusina, Udrežnje, Zaborani, Zalom, Zalužje, Zovi Do, Žiljevo, Žuberin and Žulja.
History
The annals of Patriarchate of PećPatriarchate of Pec
The Patriarchate of Peć is a Serbian Orthodox monastery located near Peć. The complex of churches is the spiritual seat and mausoleum of the Serbian archbishops and patriarchs....
(Pećka Patrijarsija) mentioned Nevesinje in 1219, which is the earliest appearance of the municipality of Nevesinje in preserved historical sources.
The Nevesinje region was under the rule of different medieval lords until the end of the 15th century. The most significant ruler of Nevesinje from this period was Stjepan Vukčić Kosača
Stjepan Vukcic Kosaca
Stjepan Vukčić Kosača was a Herzegovina nobleman. He was a member of the House of Kosača, a Grand Duke of Herzegovina, Lord of Zahumlje and Primorje and also Herzog of Serbian Saint Sava...
, known as Herceg Stjepan. The whole land Hercegovina was named after him. Stjepan's lands were under the constant treat from advancing Turkish forces in the 15th century. Hercegovina, and thus Nevesinje were gradually incorporated into the Turkish Empire by the first quarter of the 15th century (1422).
During the period of Turkish rule Nevesinje was mostly part of Bosnian Pashaluk
Pashaluk
Pashaluk or Pashalik is a term for one type of the Subdivisions of the Ottoman Empire.It is the abstract word derived from pasha, denoting the quality, office or jurisdiction of a pasha or the territory administered by him....
and was a seat of a qadi
Qadi
Qadi is a judge ruling in accordance with Islamic religious law appointed by the ruler of a Muslim country. Because Islam makes no distinction between religious and secular domains, qadis traditionally have jurisdiction over all legal matters involving Muslims...
. It was at Nevesinje that the Great Eastern Crisis was ignited, with the outbreak of the Herzegovinian rebellion
Herzegovinian rebellion
The Herzegovina Uprising of 1875-1878 was an uprising led by Christians, firstly in Herzegovina and then in Bosnia. It is the most significant of the rebellions against Ottoman rule in Herzegovina...
of 1875-1878 when peasants of the region rebelled against Turkish tax collectors. The rebellion soon spread to the rest of Herzegovina
Herzegovina
Herzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
and to Bosnia and other parts of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. Neighbouring states, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
and Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
got involved in the conflict which in turn pulled in great powers of the time. The conflict ended with Congress of Berlin
Congress of Berlin
The Congress of Berlin was a meeting of the European Great Powers' and the Ottoman Empire's leading statesmen in Berlin in 1878. In the wake of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78, the meeting's aim was to reorganize the countries of the Balkans...
in 1878 and the province of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
was placed under the administration of Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
. At the same time Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, and Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
were declared independent principalities.
People of Nevesinje continued their struggle against foreign rule with an uprising against Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
in 1882. This uprising is interesting because it was the first time that Orthodox Serbs and Muslim Bosniaks fought on the same side under the slogan: "For the holy cross and the faith of Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
" (Za krst časni i vjeru Muhamedovu).