Opetci: Landscape, History and Local Life

In a regional classification from 2016, Opetci is one of the settlements in the Sućeska region. The landscape, historical sites and local work offer different starting points for planning your trip. The Sućeska area is hilly and lies away from the main transport routes; the remains of the medieval town of Kličevac are on the right bank of the Zeleni Jadar River, not far from the present-day village of Sućeska. The following sections distinguish between the Sućeska region and the specific places named.

Landscape and Regional Orientation

The Sućeska area is bordered to the south by the canyon of the Zeleni Jadar River. Hilly terrain and its location away from the main transport routes shape how you find your way around the region. The Drina National Park is another natural feature in the area: it covers about 6,300 hectares within the municipality of Srebrenica. The park is known for the Drina River canyon, viewpoints with unique panoramas and extensive forests where the rare Pančić spruce grows.

Keep the two canyon references separate: the Zeleni Jadar borders the Sućeska area to the south; the Drina canyon is a feature of Drina National Park. This way, different landscape perspectives remain distinct rather than appearing to be one and the same place.

Kličevac: History and Trail Conditions

The remains of the medieval town of Kličevac are on the right bank of the Zeleni Jadar, not far from the present-day village of Sućeska. Access requires a hike of about eight kilometres round trip. The route passes through very rugged terrain with depressions and steep slopes, and crosses the Zeleni Jadar River. When planning, therefore, consider the terrain as well as the approximate distance; check trail conditions before planning a visit. Kličevac combines an archaeological site with a specific access requirement. This makes the route different from the landscape features that define Drina National Park.

Local Life: Beekeeping and Agriculture

A family beekeeping tradition in Opetci dates back more than 150 years. A beekeeper from the village produces royal jelly and queen bees. His honey has received a total of eight gold medals for quality. The long-standing family tradition, the range of products and the awards offer different insights into local beekeeping.

Dairy farming is also part of the village’s history. After returning in 2001, Asim Bećirović’s family ran a dairy farm in Opetci; in 2019, this activity was the household’s livelihood. Compared with the beekeeping tradition spanning more than 150 years, this family story has specific dates: the return in 2001 and the household’s livelihood in 2019.

Commemoration in the Sućeska Region

The Sućeska Jamaat community traditionally organises a religious memorial programme every year in July at various locations in the local community for those killed during the 1992–1995 war. In Opetci, a Shahid dua was held on 23 July 2022 in memory of the victims killed in the Srebrenica genocide. The annual programme in the local community and the dua in Opetci have different time references: one is a July tradition, while the other took place on a specific date.

Getting There in Winter

Opetci is on a first-priority road in the Sućeska local community. It is maintained as a priority in winter and is used to transport students and employees. Check road conditions before travelling in winter. This lets you take the season into account when planning your journey without treating winter road maintenance as a guarantee of current conditions.

Discover more destinations: Dračevo, Trebinje, Staro Rudo, Ugljevik, Višegrad, Zidine, Laminci Sređani, Kotor Varoš

For the broader travel overview: Republika Srpska.