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Vranduk fortress near Zenica

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Vranduk is a small place near Zenica that is not so significant today except for it's old medieval fortress that was built by the Bosnian kings. It is a place with a long history that goes to the beginning of this era and Illiryan and Kelt people that lived there.

People in Bosnia and Herzegovina was always proud nation, rebellious against every army that want to occupy this land. Iliryan natin was no different.

Illiryan rebellion against Romans

Illiryan people were famous for their courage and readiness to fight. Roman armies felt that on their skins when they tried to conquer Bosnia. Local tribes turned against the Roman conquers under the lead of Baton, local tribal leader. Situation was very serious for Romans so they have saying in that time: "The rebels are coming to Rome". The Rome was forced to send 15 legions out of all 25 legions on their disposal to shut down the mutiny. Final standoff was at Vranduk. Romans have their victory but local tribes was so proud that woman and children throw themselves into the fire while man stubbed themselves with the swords in front of the amazed Romans.

Representative town of Bosnian kings

Much later, at the end of 14th century, one of the Bosnian kings called Tomaš built a fortress in Vranduk. That fortress was very important for Bosnian kingdom and it was some kind of representative town for Bosnian kings where they welcomed foreign delegations, signed agreements and passed laws. After a few sieges by the Ottoman Turks Vranduk fall down under the Ottoman rule at 1463. They built a mosque that was called "Sultan Fatih Mosque" and that stands there even today with some minor differences.

Prince Eugen of Savoy in his march on Bosnia and Herzegovina decided to avoid confrontations at the Vranduk fortress in 1697 because it was very difficult to capture. The fortress was used as prison in 18th and beginning of the 19th century. After the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Austrian empire Vranduk was manned with Austrian soldiers for 12 years. After that period the fortress is abandoned and lost it's military function.

Today Vranduk is a nice place for touristic visits and it is easy to be found because it is located on the main road from Zenica to Doboj.