Zvornik’s special feature is provided by a unique three-piece fortress – Lower, Middle and Upper Town, the largest and most distinctive fortress in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Zvornik’s fort – Đurađ’s town, as one of the most valuable objects of this type in the country has been declared a National monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is assumed that the castle was built in late 13th or early 14th century. Despot Đurađ Branković occupied the fort in 15th century so it was named after him.
According to a legend, the fort was built by his wife the Damned Jerina (orig. Prokleta Jerina) so that’s how it got the name Jerina’s town. The fort was later expanded by the Turks during their rule (1460-1878), and upgraded by Austro-Hungarians whose troops were accommodated in Zvornik’s fort in the period from 1878 to 1918. Therefore, the fortress is today a testimony of various historical periods. The town consists of three interconnected parts: Lower (near road Zvornik – Sarajevo, with a famous town gate), Middle (the oldest part, with a 20 meter high Large Tower in the central part of the fortress) and Uptown (on elevated hill overlooking the Zvornik area, at about 400m above sea level). Near the fortress is the Church of St. Petka Trnova, which was built on the model of Njegoš’s chapel on Lovćen.
The fort can be reached by foot along 1,700m long path that leads from the town center through the settlement Bair, and 7km long asphalt road through the settlement Srpska varoš which is suitable for motor vehicles.
A whole complex of Upper Town is located in an attractive location with a beautiful view of Zvornik, Zvornik Lake and Drina river (gazebos). As mentioned Upper Town can be reached by paths that are named after interesting and mystical legends what additionally enhances the experience that tourists may have while visiting this site.
Around the site there is a lot of space that is suitable for reception of larger organized tourist groups (several buses can be parked in the parking area), and considering that there are touristic signs on the trails leading to the fort, it is possible to reach it without a guide.
Source: Sarajevo Times
