Golden Apple for Ljubuški
The second "Golden Apple" for 2025 was awarded to Ljubuški – a small town in Bosnia and Herzegovina, known for its natural beauty and rich cultural and historical heritage. This prestigious award from FIJET recognizes not only the town’s charm, but also the efforts of the local authorities in developing tourism, maintaining a strong connection with tradition, and striving to improve the quality of life for its residents. Ljubuški is establishing itself as a tourist destination with a sense of authenticity and tranquility.
In his speech, Tijani Haddad, President of FIJET, emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism, which brings great benefits to towns like Ljubuški: "We want clean cities. We encourage mayors of cities all around the world to work hard to receive the Golden Apple and to become promoters of so-called 'sustainable tourism' in their cities... Ljubuški is working hard to promote tourism for the benefit of the city and its people."
The Mayor of Ljubuški, Vedran Markotić, expressed his gratitude for the high recognition:
"We have always been aware of the beauty of our region, but it’s something else entirely when that beauty is recognized from the outside. This is a synergy. It’s not the achievement of just one person. It includes all the winemakers, the olive oil producers, and the associations that work together to create a wonderful experience for anyone wishing to visit Ljubuški."
In his address, Plamen Starev, President of the Golden Apple Award Committee, stated that an independent jury composed of journalists from many countries unanimously nominated Ljubuški for this prestigious FIJET award: "With the power of FIJET’s hundreds of members and the media they represent, Ljubuški will gain widespread recognition. Many people will learn more about this unique destination, its beauty, and cultural-historical heritage."
Ljubuški Dossier
Ljubuški is a small but historically significant town located in the southwest of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the Herzegovina region, near the border with Croatia. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by Illyrian tombs and remains of ancient settlements. During the Roman era, the region was part of the province of Dalmatia.
The first written record of Ljubuški dates back to 1444, when the town was part of the Herzegovina Duchy of Duke Stjepan Vukčić Kosača. In the 15th century, Ljubuški came under Ottoman rule, during which the impressive fortress above the town was built. Later, the town passed into the hands of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and subsequently became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the SFR Yugoslavia, and finally – independent Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Among the most notable attractions in the area are:
- The Old Fortress – located on a hill overlooking the town, built in the 15th century with massive stone walls and strategic importance.
- Kravica Waterfall on the Trebižat River – one of the most beautiful natural phenomena in the region, about 25 meters high, surrounded by greenery, popular for walks and swimming.
- Koćuša Waterfall – near the village of Veljaci, about 5 meters high and impressively wide (around 50 meters).
- Roman Military Camp – an archaeological site from the Roman era (1st–3rd century).
- Franciscan Monastery of St. Anthony of Padua in Humac – a 19th-century monastery that houses the famous Humac Tablet, one of the oldest written monuments in the Croatian language (12th century), using a mix of Glagolitic script and a form of Cyrillic called Bosančica. Here is the oldest museum in Bosnia and Herzegovina (est. 1884), with a valuable collection of prehistoric, Roman, and medieval artifacts.
- Bridges over the Trebižat River – remarkable architectural and engineering achievements from different historical periods.
- Churches and chapels from the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian periods – reflecting the religious and cultural diversity of the region.
