Location: Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Čapljina Municipality Map
Constructed: in 1383 by King Stjepan Tvrtko I
Počitelj Castle, more precisely known as the Počitelj Citadel or
Fortress (Počiteljska tvrđava in Bosnian), is a medieval stronghold
located in the historic walled town of Počitelj, situated on the
left bank of the Neretva River in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It lies approximately 30 kilometers south of Mostar, in the Čapljina
Municipality within the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. The site is
nestled in a natural karst amphitheater, perched on a steep cliff
overlooking the river valley, which provided natural defenses and
strategic oversight of trade routes. Often described as an open-air
museum, the citadel forms the core of a larger fortified urban
ensemble that blends medieval Bosnian and Ottoman architectural
influences, creating a unique cultural landscape. The entire town,
including the citadel, spans a compact area and is characterized by
stone-built structures, winding cobblestone streets, and panoramic
views of the surrounding countryside and river. This location made
it a vital crossroads for commerce between the Bosnian interior and
the Adriatic coast, particularly via the Neretva Valley route to
Drijeva trg (a historic market).
The citadel itself is a
silo-shaped tower constructed primarily from limestone using dry
stone walling techniques, emphasizing its defensive purpose. It
represents one of the most well-preserved examples of medieval
fortifications in the region, with later Ottoman expansions adding
layers of complexity. The site as a whole, including the surrounding
town, has been recognized for its integrity and is on UNESCO's
Tentative List for World Heritage status since 2007, proposed under
the cultural category for its exceptional representation of Ottoman
Mediterranean-style settlements. It was also listed by the World
Monuments Watch in 1996 as one of the 100 most endangered cultural
heritage sites globally due to war damage and neglect.
The history of Počitelj Citadel spans over six centuries, reflecting
the turbulent political shifts in the Balkans. The fortress was
initially built in 1383 by King Stjepan Tvrtko I of Bosnia, the first
king of the medieval Bosnian Kingdom, as part of a broader effort to
fortify the western borders and control merchant routes along the
Neretva River. It served as the administrative center for the Dubrava
župa (county) and was the westernmost point of Bosnian influence. The
first documented references to the settlement appear in charters from
1444 and 1448, issued by Aragonese King Alfonso V and Holy Roman Emperor
Friedrich III.
From 1463 to 1471, during the reign of Hungarian King
Matthias Corvinus, Počitelj housed a Hungarian garrison, which
strengthened its defenses amid growing Ottoman threats. This period
marked the first major architectural expansions, enhancing its strategic
role. In 1471, following a brief siege, the Ottomans captured the
fortress, integrating it into their empire until 1878. Under Ottoman
rule, Počitelj flourished as a kadiluk (judicial district) center from
1782 to 1879 and as the headquarters of a military district from 1713 to
1835. The 16th and 17th centuries saw significant development, with the
construction of public buildings that transformed it into a cultural and
administrative hub.
The site's importance waned after the Venetian
conquest of nearby Gabela in 1698, but it regained some military
relevance until the Austro-Hungarian occupation in 1878, which shifted
regional dynamics and led to economic decline. This isolation
inadvertently preserved much of its original architecture, as
modernization bypassed the area. During the Bosnian War (1992–1996),
Počitelj suffered severe damage from shelling and vandalism,
particularly in 1993, affecting structures like the mosque and
residential buildings. Post-war restoration began in the late 1990s,
with international efforts focusing on cultural heritage protection and
refugee returns starting around 2000. On November 5, 2005, the citadel
was designated a national monument by Bosnia and Herzegovina's
Commission to Preserve National Monuments.
The architecture of Počitelj Citadel and its surrounding town is a
harmonious fusion of medieval Bosnian, Ottoman, and Mediterranean
styles, evolved over two main phases: the initial medieval
fortifications and later Ottoman additions. The citadel's core is a
donjon tower (keep) from the late 14th century, built on karstic rock
with a small ward, expanded in the 15th century with stronger walls, a
square tower, two bastions (Mehmed-paša's and Delibaša's), Dizdar's
house, a granary, a mosque, a cistern ("water-tower"), and multiple
gateways. The Gavran-kapetan Tower, the main tower, exemplifies
defensive design with its elevated position for surveillance.
Key
Ottoman-era structures include:
Šišman Ibrahim-Paša Mosque (Hajji
Alija Mosque): Built in 1562–1563, this single-room domed mosque
features classical Ottoman design with excellent acoustics, a stone
minaret, and a prominent urban location. It was damaged in 1993 but
restored by 2002.
Medresa of Šišman Ibrahim-Paša: Constructed before
1664, it includes five classrooms and a lecture room under domes,
reflecting educational functions in Ottoman society.
Hamam (Public
Bath): Built before 1664 by Istanbul craftsmen, it's a typical smaller
Ottoman bathhouse.
Han (Inn): Erected around 1665, a single-story
structure with central stabling, renovated in the 1970s for tourism.
Sahat-Kula (Clock Tower): Built after 1664, this stone tower with a
pyramid roof and pointed arches shows Mediterranean-Dalmatian
influences.
Residential architecture features stone houses with
gable or hipped roofs, small windows, doksats (projecting bays), and
interconnected courtyards, blending Oriental and Mediterranean elements.
The Gavrankapetanović House, a 16th–17th-century complex with separate
selamluk (public) and haremluk (private) sections, is the largest,
converted to an artists' colony in the 1960s–1970s and restored
post-war. Proportions often follow the Golden Section, as revealed in
modern surveys using laser scanning and photogrammetry.
Počitelj Citadel holds immense significance as a testament to the region's multicultural history, embodying the transition from medieval Bosnian kingdom to Ottoman imperial rule. It compares to UNESCO sites like Mostar's Old Bridge area, Safranbolu in Turkey, Gjirokastra in Albania, and Ohrid in North Macedonia, representing the Ottoman Mediterranean settlement type. Its preservation offers insights into strategic fortifications, urban planning, and cultural exchanges in the Balkans.
Today, the site is owned by the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is open to the public year-round with no entrance fee, though some areas may have limited access. It is in a generally preserved condition following restorations, but faces threats from erosion, vegetation overgrowth, and potential infrastructure projects like the nearby Corridor Vc highway. Visitors can explore via guided tours, attend cultural events like art exhibitions or music festivals, and enjoy the Mediterranean climate best in spring or fall. Nearby attractions include Kravice Waterfalls, Blagaj Monastery, and Mostar. Modern proposals include a multimedia museum with augmented reality to enhance education and tourism while aiding conservation.