Welcome to Cajnice
Due to its geographical location, natural beauty and cultural-historical heritage, Cajnice, situated at 816 meters above sea level, is often regarded as one of the most enchanting places in the Balkans. The town has an unusual name believed to be either from a Persian word meaning “cold water” or from the abundance of medicinal herbs used to prepare tea (caj). It is located at the intersection of Republic of Srpska/Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro on the Janjina River, a tributary of the Drina, nestled between the mountains Cicelj and Kovac.
Cajnice was first mentioned in 1477, holding a significant position on the trade route between Dubrovnik and Istanbul. By 1582, it was recognized as an independent kadiluk (judge’s jurisdiction area). In the 17th century, Cajnice’s blacksmiths were renowned for their metalworking skills, and the town even hosted a mint for coin production.
Culture
Fifteen kilometers from Cajnice, in 1379 the medieval town of Samobor was built near Medjurjecje by Sandalj Hranic. The renowned Turkish traveler Evliya Çelebi visited Čajniče in 1664 and wrote that he had never seen such a peculiar place, characterized by its undulating and hilly terrain. Surrounded by large hills covered with massive trees and steep chasms, the town’s location felt simultaneously cheerful, dangerous and awe-inspiring. On the other hand, the areas with orchards resembled true garden paradises.
Two churches and their movable assets have been declared national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina. These include the Church of the Ascension of Christ and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, along with collections of 12 handwritten books, 56 printed books, and 25 icons. The Church in Cajnice is also home to the miraculous Cajnice Beauty icon, which features St. John the Baptist painted on its reverse side. This icon is considered the greatest sacred relic in Republic of Srpska, attracting many Orthodox Christians who come to Cajnice to honor it.
The church also houses the icon of St. George with 12 scenes illustrating his life, attributed to an anonymous painter from the latter half of the 16th century. Additionally, there is an icon of St. Nicholas by Andrija Raicevic from the 17th century and an icon of the Holy Trinity, created by an unknown painter from Vojvodina and gifted to the church in 1848. The oldest handwritten book preserved here is the Cajnice Gospel from the 14th century, along with a gospel from the Papraca Monastery, bearing a note from priest Oliver written in 1513.
The mosque in Medjurjcje, known as the Maldovan Pasha Mosque is located in the Cajnice municipality and has been declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This designation includes both the mosque and its surrounding burial ground with tombstones.
Another significant mosque in the area is the Sinan-bey Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Sinan-bey Boljanic, which is located in Cajnice and holds the same national monument status.
Sinan-bey (later Sinan Pasha) Boljanic was the sanjak-bey of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian Sanjak and is remembered as Cajnice’s greatest benefactor. He built the mosque around which a neighborhood eventually formed, named after him.
Cajnice is also home to numerous medieval Stecak tombstones, found in areas such as Batovo, Medjurjecje, Sudici, Stijene and many others. These tombstones are listed as national cultural monuments.
Nature
In terms of natural beauty, Cajnice boasts the first Nature Park in Republic of Srpska called Cicelj. This area was designated as a protected zone by the government of Republic of Srpska in 2018 and covers over 330 hectares. Of particular note is the rainforest reserve “Borica”, located just 500 meters from the town center.
Adventure
For those seeking adventure, the “Trail of Life” is an ideal destination for recreation enthusiasts. Modeled after Dutch trim trails from the 1950s, this trail is 3100 meters long and features ten obstacles inspired by athletic disciplines. The trail begins at the Orient Hotel, which overlooks the town, and a shortcut leads to the starting point within five minutes. The path meanders above the town center through the unspoiled nature between the century-old spruce and fir trees, with a nearby tennis court.
Gastro
Cajnice’s traditional cuisine, like elsewhere in the region, includes specialties such as sarma (cabbage rolls with minced meat), pies, porridge, popara, unleavened bread, and fried dough balls (ustipci). However, a dish that stands out in particular is “keske” or “ceske”, a combination of boiled chicken with wheat groats, known locally as gerslo. This dish is similar to bulgur but heare it is exclusively prepared with boiled chicken meat. Another notable specialty is “papula”, a simple yet beloved Serbian dish of cooked white beans marinated with garlic, said to have been a favorite of Karadjordje himself.
Tourist organization of Cajnice
Cajnice Krasnica (Beauty) icon
The church in Cajnice is home to the icon of Cajnice Krasnica (Beauty), regarded as miraculous and honored as object of pilgrimage. The icon, which depicts St. John the Baptist on its reverse side, is protected in a glass case, ensuring its preservation. This case is mounted on a throne adorned with a wooden ornament resembling a crown or canopy. Cajnice Krasnica is considered the greatest religious relic in Republic of Srpska, attracting a large number of Orthodox Christians who come to venerate it. Its origin traces back to Jerusalem, where it was gifted to saint king Milutin after he built a church in the Holy City. It was initially the protector of the Nemanjic dynasty before being transferred to a location near Priboj. When the Turks burned the monastery in the area, a villager from Rudo rescued the icon and brought it across the Lim River to an old church in Cajnice. After 370 years, it was moved to the new church, where it has remained to this day. During wars throughout history, the icon was safeguarded by locals of all confessions in Cajnice. Orthodox Christians believe it is a duty to visit Cajnice at least once in a lifetime, particularly during feasts of the Virgin Mary. For this reason, Cajnice is often referred to as a Serbian pilgrimage site or the city of the Virgin Mary. The church complex includes accommodation facilities with 60 beds and a museum housing the Cajnice Gospel, among other artifacts. The restored “Proto’s Residence,” built in the 1930s, offers 83 beds for visitors.
Nature park Cicelj
The Cajnice Nature Park “Cicelj” is notable for its abundant biodiversity, with 513 identified plant species, including 43 rare species, six endemic and one sub-endemic species, with 27 of them listed in the Red Book of Protected Species of Republic of Srpska and international conservation lists. Geological features in the park include the volcanic rocks of Orlovica and unique tufa formations. Orlovica’s volcanic composition is a rarity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its tufa formations are ecologically significant yet spatially limited habitats.
Orlovica’s cliffs, along with three mountain springs—Troyan, Hladna Voda and Cicelj – add to the park’s natural value. Forests rich in diverse and high-quality wild animals offer excellent conditions for hunting tourism, supported by the construction of a hunting lodge on Trojan with 15 beds and several smaller hunting cabins. Rural tourism is also developing in the form of village households.
A unique natural phenomenon in the Cajnice area is the “Fairy Enchanted Forest” near the village of Batotici. This forest of European beech trees, unique in Europe, is surrounded by myths and legends. According to local lore, the branches of these trees must not be cut, and the community protects the forest from logging and burning. These beeches are peculiar not only because their branches grow downward in a spiral, intertwining to form new branches, but also because their intertwined structure creates a decorative appearance. No branch grows straight for more than half a meter, and the interplay of branches results in fascinating forms. There is an ongoing initiative to protect this natural wonder as branded content of the Cajnice tourism offer.
