Prusac
Encyclopedia
Prusac is a village in Bosnia and Herzegovina
in the Central Bosnia Canton
of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
. It is one of the oldest villages in the Skopaljska valley located in the upstream area of the Vrbas river.
Just a few kilometers from Donji Vakuf
is Prusac, the largest Muslim gathering site in Europe. Every June thousands of Muslims gather at the holy site at Ajvatovica
.
, Travnik
, though the proportions of the Handanija arcade are probably the least slender. The decoration belongs to the period of High Ottoman Classicism (16th-17th century).The structure of the mihrab
(niche) is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Bosnia and Herzegovina
with carved stone decoration in seven layers of stone.
The Handanija mosque was damaged during the war in 1993. The restoration works were completed in 2005, when the mosque was re-inaugurated.
. "Bio" is Ikavian for white, a dialect is still spoken in this region, and refers to the white limestone found in this region. The fortress was enclosed with walls thick two and a half meters in same places, featuring loopholes and cannon holes. The strength of Prusac' walls can be measured against the average of medieval cities, which is about one meter. The towers were covered with limestone and sinister, carefully mixed with mortar from sifted sand. Next to the guard tower was a round well, which supplied the city with fresh water. The one side of the fortress allowing access features a six meters wide ditch, with a drawbridge leading to the entrance gate.
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...
in the Central Bosnia Canton
Central Bosnia Canton
The Central Bosnia Canton is one of the ten cantons of The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.-Geography:It is located in the center of the country, to the west of Sarajevo...
of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the two political entities that compose the sovereign country of Bosnia and Herzegovina . The two entities are delineated by the Inter-Entity Boundary Line...
. It is one of the oldest villages in the Skopaljska valley located in the upstream area of the Vrbas river.
Just a few kilometers from Donji Vakuf
Donji Vakuf
Donji Vakuf is a town and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, located between Jajce, Bugojno and Travnik. It is under the administration of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.-Settlements:• Babin Potok• Babino Selo...
is Prusac, the largest Muslim gathering site in Europe. Every June thousands of Muslims gather at the holy site at Ajvatovica
Ajvatovica
Ajvatovica is the largest Islamic traditional, religious and cultural event in Europe. It is located near Prusac in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was named after Ajvaz-dedo who was a devout Muslim working to enlighten the population and achieve progress in the area.- Holy Site of Ajvatovica :According...
.
History
The first historical record of Prusac under its present name, was about 1478 in a letter of Skender-Pasha Mihajlovic to Dubrovnik. In the Middle Ages, Prusac was part of the Uskoplje area, including the fortresses of Susid and Vesela Straza. In this timeHandanija Mosque
The Handanija Mosque is located in the center of Prusac is an exemplary representation of the Bosnia-Herzegovinian Islamic heritage, featuring authentic 17th century architecture. The interior space is a single room with a wooden dome covered by a hipped roof. The building is built of stone, using four types of limestone. The walls are plastered and whitewashed. The bases of the columns are large with subtly decorated round corners. The capital, shaft and and base of the columns are carved from one piece of stone. The strong, low proportions of the porch lack the slender elegance of other contemporary mosques. This is an expression of regional classical mosque architecture, and can be found in other mosques, such as in StolacStolac
Stolac is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the southern part of Herzegovina. Administratively, it is part of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
, Travnik
Travnik
Travnik is a city 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 population that is probably close to 70,000 people...
, though the proportions of the Handanija arcade are probably the least slender. The decoration belongs to the period of High Ottoman Classicism (16th-17th century).The structure of the mihrab
Mihrab
A mihrab is semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the qibla; that is, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca and hence the direction that Muslims should face when praying...
(niche) is considered to be one of the most beautiful in 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...
with carved stone decoration in seven layers of stone.
The Handanija mosque was damaged during the war in 1993. The restoration works were completed in 2005, when the mosque was re-inaugurated.
Biograd
The castle of Biograd is located on a rock, overlooking the whole valley of Donji VakufDonji Vakuf
Donji Vakuf is a town and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, located between Jajce, Bugojno and Travnik. It is under the administration of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.-Settlements:• Babin Potok• Babino Selo...
. "Bio" is Ikavian for white, a dialect is still spoken in this region, and refers to the white limestone found in this region. The fortress was enclosed with walls thick two and a half meters in same places, featuring loopholes and cannon holes. The strength of Prusac' walls can be measured against the average of medieval cities, which is about one meter. The towers were covered with limestone and sinister, carefully mixed with mortar from sifted sand. Next to the guard tower was a round well, which supplied the city with fresh water. The one side of the fortress allowing access features a six meters wide ditch, with a drawbridge leading to the entrance gate.
External Links
- The Handanija Mosque Restoration
- Tragovima bosanskog kraljevstva - Tourist route for medieval Bosnia
- B&H Tourism -Tourism in Prusac
- Trail of the Bosnian Kingdom - Cultural Tourism in Bosnia
- Hasan Kafija Pruscak - List of Philosophical Works