Exploring the Tower of Marko Kraljevic

by Ivana Matijašević (Serbia)

A leap into the unknown Bosnia & Herzegovina

Wandering through the streets of Visegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the first thing I wanted to explore was the Tower of Marko Kraljevic. I already saw a bridge on river Drina, the Turkish bath, the stone town in city center, but the tower of Marko Kraljevic attracted me as an authentic place that only locals know for. He was a historical figure, a hero who won a battle against Turkish five hundreds years ago. I wanted to see unknown environment, gain fresh experiences and learn historical facts and legends. The tower was located on a hill near to downtown, and I could see its white walls from the street. My cousin told me there was a trail behind the hill that could climb the tower. The path was very steep and impassable, full of shrubs and vegetation. On my way to the tower, there were potential dangers that could occur. Many snakes live in grass and stones all around, but the beauty of the view from the hill replaced the bad thoughts. Marko Kraljevic used the tower as his house. This landscape and the trail reflect the times of five hundred years ago. There was deep wood, from where I saw an object like a temple composed of stones and eight meters high. It was summer, and the sun was shining on the slopes of a hill with a magnificent tower. Occupied with the beauty of stone construction, in my imagination, fictional and real world seem so close. I stepped towards the top, determined to climb to the top of the tower. I was interested to find out whether it had a door through which enter the inner space. From the street, it seemed like a building without a door. The height at the top of the hill was daunting. Below was a view of the new modern road and beside it, the river Drina. I could easily climb there and that makes me fascinated, but disappointed because there was not a door, it could not even get inside the tower. Marko Kraljevic might have had a tent right next to the tower, and I suddenly realized that would be ideal for camping. I opened my tent that fit in the narrow space next to the tower, extending the rug and enjoying the view of the Drina River and mountains around. Color of Drina ranged from emerald green to dark blue depending on the time of day. This place was fantastic for photography. I was a little sorry because I didn’t come to this place before. Often only the locals who live here know the most interesting spots and stories about them. I took some photos of the magnificent landscapes in the distance. The similarity of this place to Point Tape at Yosemite National Park in USA comes to my mind. I have never been there, but I watched many videos about this incredible area. But here in Visegrad, unique tower decorated this cliff as an authentic symbol of the past era. Visiting this tower seemed to cast me into the past. I imagined pictures of Marko Kraljevic, his forbidden love with Turkish woman, and strange friendship with his magic horse able to fly. It was a leap into the past I could imagine. Legend tells while fleeing from the enemy on his magical horse, Marko flew from the top of tower to the mountain on the other side of the river. I was trying to glimpse a rock where, according to legend, the coltsfoot of a horse is engraved in stone. Many legends about Marko came up in my mind. I didn’t know much about this place, how Marko moved here, and who brought the heavy stones so high on the hill when neither machinery nor transportation existed. That is why the mystical tower leaves us with the possibility to imagine the circumstances of its construction. Unknown historical localities have always caught my attention. History has always been about important figures, kings or queens, and not about locals who take part in building. I think it’s worth exploring them on your own initiative as much as possible and writing about places like this one!