Novi Grad at the confluence of the Sana and Una

At the entrance to Novi Grad, the Sana flows into the Una. Historical collections and buildings shape the city’s cultural character; nature and leisure activities in the municipality add to its appeal. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between sights in the town and excursion destinations in the wider municipality.

Culture and city history

The Old Town Hall of Novi Grad was built in 1888 in the pseudo-Moorish style and declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2006. Today it houses the museum and the municipal tourism organization. The museum preserves the collection of ethnologist Milan Karanović. Its holdings also include a phototypic edition of the Miroslav Gospel, produced in 1897. The Gospel is a significant Cyrillic monument of South Slavic written culture from the 12th century. The town museum also owns a copy of the 1280 charter of the noble Babonić family from Blagaj; the original is held at the State Archives in Budapest.

Another important cultural heritage site is the legacy of Stojan Ćelić. It is housed in the Novi Grad City Gallery and is a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The collection comprises 41 works: four oil paintings, six drawings and 31 prints. The National Library of Novi Grad is the city’s oldest cultural institution. Its program includes literary evenings, book presentations and exhibitions about well-known figures. If you would like to attend a particular event, check the current schedule before your trip.

The former Turski Novi fortress is part of the city’s older history. Construction of the hewn-stone structure began in 1726. According to the surviving plans, the complex was 200 meters long and 150 meters wide, with walls seven meters high. The moat was six meters wide and three meters deep. The fortifications included five bastions and two kapikulas, or entrance towers.

Riverside and events

The town quay is a three-kilometer-long stone-built riverside promenade. Shady chestnut trees and fragrant linden trees line it. Together with the confluence of the Sana and Una, the quay gives the townscape a distinctive connection to the water.

The international Una Regatta takes place in two stages: from Blatna to Novi Grad and from Novi Grad to Hrvatska Kostajnica. In the municipality, it is also possible to take trips on traditional Una boats along a calmer stretch of the river. Stops and photo breaks at waterfalls, tufa formations and Una islands are included. This Una sightseeing trip can also be taken by kayak or canoe.

Nature and leisure activities in the municipality

In the Novska planina area, the “Novska Planina” mountaineering club has established and marked 22 kilometers of hiking trails. Trail conditions can change, so check them before setting out. Since 2017, the 14-kilometer “Roga nije babaroga” trail run has been held in the natural surroundings of Novska planina. The Branko Ćopić Trail Marathon takes place at the end of May over either 42 or 21 kilometers. If you are traveling to attend one of these events, check the current dates.

The Mlakve sports and recreation center includes the football stadium of Sloboda, with seating for 6,000 spectators, and a tennis court. As public access arrangements may vary, check access details before your visit.

The Lješljani thermomineral spring is also located in the municipality. Its water is classified as mineral, highly alkaline sodium chloride water and has a temperature of 32 to 33 degrees Celsius at the source. There is an outdoor swimming pool at the site. Lješljani thus combines a geological connection to the region with a leisure facility.

Agrojapra complements the region’s offerings with culture and agriculture. The Japra Valley has an ethnomuseum exhibition and an exhibition on the cooperative movement. As part of Agrojapra rural tourism, visitors can take part in flour milling at a watermill in Donji Agići. Agrojapra also offers tastings of cold-pressed sunflower oil and pumpkin seed oil.

Plan your stay around your interests

If you are looking for a hotel in Novi Grad, start by considering what you would like your stay to focus on: the cultural sites and town quay, or excursions to attractions in the municipality, such as the hiking trails, Lješljani and Agrojapra. This distinction helps organize your trip around the experiences you actually want.

Discover more destinations: Dračevo, Lužani, Dvorovi, Nevesinje, Vlasenica, Sarajevo, Podrašnica, Mrkonjić Grad

For the broader travel overview: Republika Srpska.