24 Hours in Fojnica & Kiseljak
Just make sure the damn thing is open // © John Bills
That’s right, you’re getting a twofer right here. That’s exciting, right? What a way to start June. Of course, it comes with the implication that 24 hours is too much in Fojnica and Kiseljak individually, but that isn’t my intention. What was that Mongol Horde lyric? Actually, come to think of it, I think it was something about STDs. Best leave that aside. Note to self, delete the Mongol Horde reference. Anyway, 24 hours in Fojnica and Kiseljak! Let’s go!
The centre of Kiseljak // © John Bills
Morning
We’ll be sleeping in Kiseljak (at the excellent Hotel Bank, no less), so it makes sense to start the shenanigans here. The breakfast is delicious, after all. Load up on doručak and head out into the town to explore. What is there to explore? Not a massive amount, really, but it is a much prettier town than you might expect. The Lepenica river runs through the centre of town and provides a gorgeous spine to it all, complete with herons. Herons are awesome. Do you know what would make it even better? If it was a river of Kiseljak.
Indeed, this town is synonymous with the fizzy water that it gave the world. Kiseljak is the home of Kiseljak, a redundant sentence if ever I wrote one, and the factory sits next to the river. There is also a spring, and a bust of clever clogs Josip Bać, the hydrogeological engineer who made all this possible. Cheers, Joey. Have an early lunch at Konoba Fijaker (by the bus station) and then hop on the bus to fabulous Fojnica.
The Franciscan Monastery in Fojnica // © Ahmet27 // Shutterstock.com
Afternoon
Now, make sure you visit on a Friday or a Saturday, otherwise, this will be a big ol’ waste of time. Not entirely, there is always something to be enjoyed, but you’re in Fojnica to visit the monastery and library, right? If they aren’t open, you’re going to be in the soup, and they are only open on Friday and Saturday (from midday to 4pm). Head straight to the monastery upon arrival in Fojnica, and get ready for a literary lovefest. There is plenty of excellent art too, so hooray for all involved. Spend as much time in the library as you can, though. Maybe you could stay from midday until 4pm? Worth a go.
If the weather is good, head outside the city limits and enjoy a beer at Riverside Pub. The location is magnificent, one of the best pub spots in Bosnia and Herzegovina. If the weather isn’t good, no excuse, you should still go to Riverside Pub. Why wouldn’t you want to visit a beautiful pub? Relax, then get the bus back to Kiseljak for the evening.
The Bank Pub & Bar in Kiseljak // © John Bills
Evening
You’ve had a long day of, well, looking at books, so you deserve to let your hair down. If you’re a functioning alcoholic like me, the two beers you had at Riverside Pub will inevitably lead to a few more, so make a beeline for The Bank Pub & Bar for točeno Ožujsko and excellent burgers. Great onion rings, too. The hotel is a stone’s throw away, bringing the curtain down on a delightfully relaxing day.
