National park ‘’Sutjeska’’

National Park Sutjeska is the oldest and largest national park in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is by it’s natural values ​​and beauties the pearl of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It covers the area of ​​Sutjeska with strict natural reserve Perućica, parts of the mountains Maglić (2386 m – the highest peak in BiH), Volujak, Vučevo and Zelengora. Thanks to the outstanding natural values ​​and their preservation, since 2000, NP Sutjeska has been included in II category of IUCN (UN Department of Nature and Natural Resources).

NP Sutjeska is the most diverse complex of ecosystems on the territory of BiH and one of the most diverse in the area of ​​Southeast Europe. The entire area of ​​the park is distinguished by the exceptional beauty and diversity of landscape shapes – from pitiful valleys, dense forest complexes, mountain pastures to high mountain massifs. On Zelengora there are eight glacial lakes – “mountain eyes”, and what also characterizes this area are the deep canyons of Sutjeska, Hrčavka and Jabučnica, clear mountain rivers rich in river trout. It is a very valuable and rich pool of wildlife and rare plant species, many of which are endemic. In the very heart of the Park there is also a strict natural reserve Perućica (1434 ha), the most well-known and the biggest rainforest in Europe, in which since establishment of a national park, is strictly forbidden any kind of human intervention.

National Park Sutjeska (NPS) was established by the Law on the Proclamation of the National Park Sutjeska adopted by the Republican Assembly on January 13, 1962 (Official Gazette of Bosnia and  Herzegovina No. 5/62, February 09, 1962). The National Park of Sutjeska was proclaimed a public company by the Government of the Republika Srpska by Decision No. 02-1064 / 96.17. August 1996 in Trebinje (reg.no.1-1272-00).

The scientific and educational value of the ancient forest Perućice, located within the Park, has been known since 1956, and the park is under the protection of UNESCO. The development of the NPS in the past was largely based on historical events from the Second World War. In memory of the Battle of Sutjeska, in the 1960s, numerous monuments were erected in and around the Park. In 1971 a memorial complex was erected at Tjentište.

There is a great number of archaeological sites, ethnic and historical features in the NPS as well as in its surroundings. This cultural and historical heritage provides an insight into the connection of nature and human culture.

The fauna of the park is very rich and diverse, starting with a large number of invertebrates, especially from Lepidoptera, amphibians, reptiles and fish, 36 species and 18 families of mammals and numerous bird species.

The rivers Sutjeska, Hrčavka and Jabušnica, as well as some Zelengore lakes, are rich in fish, especially a creek trout, and fishing on these rivers and lakes is a true pleasure for all lovers of this sport