BOSNA I HERCEGOVINA / BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
SREBRENICA
On the Foundations of the
Bosnia Argentum Province
ORE DEPOSITS FOUND IN ITS SOIL ARE PRECIOUS. ITS WATERS ARE HEALING. SILVER! ITS FORESTS ARE RICH AND FERTILE, AND THE AIR THERE IS REFRESHING. SREBRENICA MEANS BOTH LOVE AND SORROW FOR US, AND ITS WONDERFUL NEIGHBOURHOODS DESERVE TO BE VISITED MORE FREQUENTLY. Written by: Semra Hodžić
ROMAN MUNICIPIUM Bank in ancient times, the priceless value of its mines was recognised by the ancient Romans. Today, archaeological sites such as the “Roman Municipium Museum” located in Skelani near Srebrenica, where archaeologists discovered a full room of a Roman administrative building—a basilica from the 4th century BC, reflect what their life was like back then. Travellers from all over the world would often come to Srebrenica because of the mines and leave traces of different cultures there. The earliest (known) written reference to Srebrenica dates from 1352, when the reign of Bosnian Ban Stephen II was coming to an end. Throughout history, it was most commonly referred to as Domavija and Argentarija. By the end of the 14th century, it became the most important mining centre and the most 96
important urban settlement of the Bosnian Banovina.
THE ARRIVAL OF THE FRANCISCANS When the Franciscans came to Bosnia at the end of the 13th century, they settled in Srebrenica. That is where they built their first monastery and church after which the country was later named Bosnia Argentum. They preached throughout the Balkans and the region from the province’s first main seat. The Srebrenica Monastery, where future friars were
This year, trails have been mapped and marked towards Klotijevac, and tourist signposts have been set up.
raised and trained, was regarded as a well-respected and widely known religious order. In 1394, the Roman Catholic Church of St. Nicholas was constructed in the coastal style Srebrenica. It was a co-cathedral at the time of the diocese.
GUBER WATERS WITH A POWER TO HEAL The most prized possession Srebrenica has had since the beginning of time are the red waters of Guber. The “Red River” with 48 mineral water springs flows downhill to the town of Srebrenica, carrying with it waters that have a power to treat anaemia and heal the eye, skin and sinuses. The first mention of Srebrenica’s healing waters dates back to the second half of the 17th century, when Turkish travel writer Evliya Çelebi wrote that there is a silver mine with a small, magical spring of
