Another walkabout – but first another Monastery! Again belonging to the Serbian Orthodox Church so full of magnificent frescos which we were not allowed to photograph. There was also a rather grumpy priest that said women shouldn’t be wearing pantaloons and wanted us to all wear wraps over our trousers – which we didn’t! However they did make wine – which we had to pay to taste and it was very good but rather expensive. There was also a very big, commercial shop, a slight juxtaposition!
Then on towards Trebinje again situated on a river and close to the Croatian border. This city was famous for a poet who lived much of his life in America and for it’s wonderful clean air, natural herbs used in medicine and for it’s very tall people – our guide was a good example. As we approached the town we could see waterwheels beside the river but no mills- we discovered their purpose later in the day. Again somewhere with an old town and a newer Austro Hungarian art nouveau area.
There was also a very interesting war memorial for the Balkans War which was a three sided column of different coloured marble with a rose bud at the bottom. We were also allowed to take photos inside the church. The old city was surrounded by a high wall and the streets although small had a more open feel than in Mostar.
After our guided tour we explored further and then decided that we ought to walk along the river, away from the main city and I’m so glad we did! There was a good path and it was amusing to see the hosepipe draped from a garden into the river as a watering source!
It was just after that that we spotted some wooden waterwheels – there had been talk about using the rivers for hydro electricity but this didn’t seem to be the case and again no associated mill. Also there was one on each side of the river- on closer examination and with the hose pipe giving us a clue, we surmised that they were for irrigation purposes. On reflection they had been quite frequently placed alongside the river as we journeyed into the city.
It was from this point we were able to see something that most of the others had missed and was a gem definitely worth seeing. Built originally in the 16th century during the time of the Ottoman occupation the Arsalanic Bridge that spanned the river was magnificent. It is this feature in particular which warranted including this days walking. We crossed and set off for our long walk back to the town and some food – so pleased that we had made the effort.
https://www.itinari.com/a-16th-century-masterpiece-arslanagica-bridge-in-trebinje-rj4s
12 km covered in total today but distributed across the time, with the best left till last.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 