Blagaj Tekija

The most mysterious attraction of Blagaj stands in the place where the Bosnian beauty with clear emerald-colored waters breaks out to the surface of the earth. According to local legend, the Sufi Saint Sari Saltik came to these lands even before the Ottoman rule. He chose a place at the entrance to an underwater cave at the source of the Buna River and opened a school for Muslim monks, dervishes. Later, the Blagaj Tekija and the grave of the school's founder became a sacred place for dervishes and sufis.

Everyone who comes here enjoys not only the picturesque river scenery and the wonderful singing of birds but also the snow-white monastery built by the monks in 1520. Today, every traveler can get inside the Blagaj Tekija, as wandering dervishes could many centuries ago. Then this place was a refuge and sanctuary. And today, it is home to a small museum of sacred art. The dark massive doors and windows highlight the white-stone walls of the Tekija, and the modest interior decoration – the ancient holy books of the Koran, open and displayed on special stands on the window sills. It seems that the dervishes have so recently decided to take a short break from reading that they even left the sacred books open.

The Tekija's windows offer a delightful view of the source of the Buna River, forest landscapes, and sharp cliffs with caves. In the nearby area, there is an old mausoleum and a guest house dating back to the mid-17th century. Tourists can also come to the small restaurant in the courtyard and try delicious dishes of freshly caught trout and lokums with strong Turkish coffee. Or visit a bathing room and a souvenir shop with cute traditional souvenirs.