Mrkonjic Grad

• Main road M-15 (Mrkonjić Grad – Glamoč – Split)
• Main road M-5 (Jajce – Mrkonjić Grad – Bihać)
• Main road M-16 (Banja Luka – Crna Rijeka – Jajce – Split)

• Banja Luka: 65 km (via roads E661, M16, and M-5 through Bočac)
• Sarajevo: 170 km (via M-5 to Donji Vakuf – M16 through Jajce)
• Mostar: 190 km (via M-17 and M-5 through Bugojno and Donji Vakuf)
• Jajce: 35 km (M-16)
• Travnik: 28 km (R-415)
• Bihać: 150 km (M-5 via Ključ and Petrovac)
• Zenica: 130 km (A1 to Lašva – M-5 and M-16 through Travnik and Jajce)

• Belgrade: 320 km
• Novi Sad: 340 km
• Zagreb: 200 km
• Dubrovnik: 280 km
• Split: 160 km
• Zadar: 210 km

Mrkonjić Grad is connected by bus lines to major cities such as Sarajevo, Belgrade, and Zagreb. The nearest airports are in Banja Luka and Sarajevo.

• Seven-Day Cycling Adventure through Krajina: This tour starts in Banja Luka and lasts seven days, covering a distance of 250 km. In addition to Mrkonjić Grad, it includes stops in Manjača, Ribnik, Jajce, Krupa na Vrbasu, and Šipovo. On the fifth day of the tour, visitors explore the canyon of the Vrbas River and ride all the way to Krupa na Vrbasu. A tour guide is included, as well as organized luggage transport. The itinerary features visits to Kastel Fortress, the waterfalls in Jajce, Krupa na Vrbasu, the Pliva spring, and the Tijesno canyon.
• Krajina Round Tour: A ten-day tour covering various towns and settlements, including Mrkonjić Grad. In this town, participants visit historical landmarks, museums, and churches, all accompanied by a tourist guide. The price of the tour is €1,300 per person.
• Manjača Plateau Loop Tour: A one-day cycling adventure in nature, held near Mrkonjić Grad, covering approximately 20 km.

• Mowing Days at Balkana: This now-traditional event is held every July at Lake Balkana. It gathers mowers from across the country and the region who compete in traditional grass cutting, thereby preserving rural customs. The event also features an accompanying cultural and entertainment program and attracts several hundred visitors.
• Honey Days: Honey Days bring together beekeepers from Mrkonjić Grad and the wider region who showcase and sell various types of honey and bee products. The event includes educational lectures on beekeeping, health, and the benefits of honey. It promotes healthy eating and supports local production.
• Homemade Brandy Festival: Held every autumn, this festival gathers brandy producers from across the country and the region. Visitors can sample different types of brandy while a jury selects the best one. The event promotes domestic production and traditional recipes.
• Ethno Festival Jabuka: An event that brings together exhibitors from all over the country to present their traditional products, culinary specialties, and handicrafts. It aims to promote and raise awareness of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the rural way of life.
• International Jazz Festival: This festival gathers jazz musicians from the region and abroad for open-air concerts in the town center. It attracts music lovers of all ages, especially jazz enthusiasts, and contributes to the cultural enrichment of Mrkonjić Grad.
• Golden Fingers (Zlatni prsti): A culinary competition in the preparation of traditional Bosnian and Herzegovinian dishes, where chefs compete in their cooking skills. Visitors can taste the food and buy homemade products during the event.
• Aranđelovdan Fair: Held annually in November, this fair showcases agricultural products, local delicacies, and handicrafts. It brings together exhibitors from various regions who seek to promote and sell their authentic goods.

• Lake Balkana: An artificial lake and picnic area located about 5 km from Mrkonjić Grad. The Balkana complex consists of two artificial lakes surrounded by forest and is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, hiking, camping, walking, and recreation. The lakes have crystal-clear water, and the area was developed as a recreational center for local residents. During the summer, cultural and sports events are held at the lake. It’s an excellent choice for families with children and for parents who want to connect their children with nature. 
• Zelenkovac: An ecological center near Mrkonjić Grad, located in a dense forest and surrounded by streams. It is visited by tourists, nature lovers, and artists. During the summer, cultural events are held in Zelenkovac. Children particularly enjoy the center due to the abundance of space for running, exploring, and having fun. 
• Summer in Mrkonjić Grad (Ljeto u Mrkonjić Gradu): A children’s festival held from June to August, featuring cultural and sports programs, children's plays, costume parades, sports, tennis and acting workshops, and competitions in roller skating and mini basketball. The events mostly take place at Lake Balkana and at the Serbian Army Square (Trg srpske vojske). The focus is on free, family-friendly content and activities for children.

• Lake Lisina: A small mountain lake on the eponymous mountain, suitable for a peaceful nature retreat. It is located about 15 km from Mrkonjić Grad.
• Mountain Lisina: Mountain Lisina is located in the southern part of Mrkonjić Grad, about 15 km away. It is around 1,500 meters high and very rich in flora and fauna. At the mountaintop, there is a mountain lodge.
• Mountain Čemernica: To the northeast, Mrkonjić Grad is bordered by the slightly lower Čemernica Mountain. The location is known for the Vrbas River canyon, which we highly recommend you visit.
• Crna River: The mountain river Crna River forms the southeastern border of the town and is a tributary of the Vrbas River. It is suitable for fishing and riverside walks.
• Ponor River: Located about 12 km from Mrkonjić Grad, the Ponor River is named for its tendency to sink into karst terrain and is interesting for exploring natural phenomena.
• Mountain Manjača: This mountain covers the area of the Mrkonjić Grad municipality. It is surrounded by the Vrbas and Sana rivers and is rich in plant and animal life. It is widely known for the Kočić’s Gathering event (Kočićev zbor), which partially takes place in Mrkonjić Grad and is traditionally linked with Banja Luka and the Manjača plateau. In Zelenkovac, Zmijanje art colonies were held.
• Medna Monastery: An Orthodox monastery situated in a natural setting, 25 km from the town in the village of the same name. It was founded in the 15th century at the place where, according to a woman’s visions, the relics of three monks were found.
• Glogovac Monastery: Another Orthodox monastery known for its spiritual significance and architecture. Built in the 17th century, it was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, and in earlier times served as a center of literacy and religious education. It was destroyed during World War II and restored only in 1999, since when it functions as an active monastic community. It is about 30 km from the town center and hosts the religious event Janjski Sabor, named after the village Janja where the monastery is located. The monastery was repeatedly destroyed and restored.
• Liplje Monastery: An important monastery for Orthodox believers, rich in history. It is located 35 km from the town in the village of Gornje Liplje and, according to tradition, was founded by Rastko Nemanjić and built in the Raška architectural style.
• Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Located about 2 km from the Medna Monastery, it was built at the end of the 19th century and reconstructed in the 1970s due to deterioration.
• Hamidija Mosque: Also known as the Mosque in Rijeka, Riječka Mosque, or Rička Mosque. It is classified as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is located in the Rijeka neighborhood. During the Bosnian war, the mosque was mined but was restored about a decade later.
• Kizlar-aga Mosque: Dating back to the 16th century, today it is a national state monument, although only parts of it remain. It was an example of medieval architecture and originally housed a rich library.
• Bočac Fortress: A medieval fortress (mentioned as early as the 15th century) whose ruins are located above the Vrbas River. Today only the walls and towers remain, while earlier the fortress had a defensive function. It is classified as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina but is not maintained accordingly.
• Memorial Center of the First ZAVNOBiH: Mrkonjić Grad was the first host of the session of the State Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1943. At the first session of ZAVNOBiH, the decision was made to restore the statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which had been abolished following the fall of the medieval Bosnian state and loss of autonomy under various empires. Bosnia and Herzegovina was declared a community of equal Serbs, Croats, and Muslims, thus affirming its multiethnic character and territorial integrity.
• Gallery "Why Didn’t Boro Leave?!": The gallery is located within the ecological center Zelenkovac (about 15 km from Mrkonjić Grad) and is part of a broader artistic and ecological community founded by the painter Borislav Boro Janković, known for his dedication to nature and art.

• Apartments: Generally, apartment prices in Mrkonjić Grad range from €35 to €120, depending on location and amenities. For studio apartments, expect to pay around €35 per night for one person. Prices for one-bedroom apartments range from as low as €20 to €95, two-bedroom apartments from €40 to €50 and up, while three-bedroom apartments cost around €120.
• Hotel accommodation: Hotel accommodation is more expensive compared to apartments. Hotel prices range from €35 to €77 per person. In Mrkonjić Grad and its immediate surroundings, you can rent accommodation in hotels such as Balkana Vidović, Guesthouse Marivo, Plivsko Jezero, Stari Grad, and Aqua Rooms Ribnik.
• Motels: For rooms in motels around Mrkonjić Grad, expect to pay between €28 and €40 per night for single or double rooms. Available motels in Mrkonjić Grad and its surroundings include Plaza, Tetrijeb Sipovo, and Konoba Slapovi.
• Hostels: Hostels are harder to find in Mrkonjić Grad, and the available ones cost about €22 per night for a single room.
• Houses for rent: You can find one-bedroom houses for €33-40 and two-bedroom houses from €52 to €60, while three-bedroom houses cost between €70 and €80. Four-bedroom houses are less common and average around €90 per night, while five-bedroom houses are about €110.
• Cabins and cottages: The price of cabins and cottages depends on their location, capacity, amenities, and the season when you rent them, so prices vary. One-bedroom cabins and cottages cost from €63 to €81, two-bedroom around €135, three-bedroom around €85 (price valid for two persons), and those with four or more bedrooms range from €110 to €337.

Check out the accommodation options in Mrkonjić Grad on the Bookaweb platform.

• Postal code: 70 260
• Area code: +387 050

• Auto-moto association: 213-759
• Hunting association Lisina: 211-586
• Veterinary station: 211-308
• ICN Pharmacy: 212-501
• Zdravlje Pharmacy: 212-945
• Health Center “Dr Jovan Rašković”: 211-284, 211-286, 211-319
• Bus station: 211-093
• Tourist information center: 220 921

• Information center: 121
• Police: 122
• Firefighters: 123
• Ambulance: 124
• Road assistance and road conditions: 1282
• SOS phone: 1209
• Emergency call (international number): 112

• Sarajevo International Airport: 033/289-100
• Tuzla International Airport: 035/302-400
• Banja Luka International Airport: 051/535-210

Currency: Convertible Marka (BAM): approximately €1.95 

1. Caffe Restaurant Hilton: A highly praised family restaurant known for its food, mostly local specialties, interior, cleanliness, atmosphere, and warm hosts. The service is fast and of good quality. It is located on Ulica boraca srpskih (Street of Serbian Fighters). Open daily from 6 AM to 11 PM.

• Mozart: Great pizza and even better desserts! The only place in Mrkonjić Grad where you can enjoy pizza in a neat garden setting. Prices are affordable, service is quick, and the staff are friendly. You’ll find it on Stevana Sinđelića Street. Open from 7 AM to 11 PM.
• Milanović: A grill restaurant on Sime Šolaje Street, serving food from 7 AM to 4 PM (until 3 PM on Saturdays), closed on Sundays. While the restaurant is famous for its strong grill flavors, especially ćevapi, you must also try their meat burek.

• Delta: A nightclub located on Svetog Save Street, open for guests from 10 PM to 2 AM every day. It is the only nightclub in town, and every weekend features live music or DJ performances.
• Bircuz: In the same street, there is a venue that opens at 9 PM and closes at 4 AM (except Saturdays). It is a great place for an evening out and a good choice for private celebrations, birthdays, or parties. On weekends, visitors here “stay until morning.”

• Boris Vulin (+387 66 447 086)
• Radenko Oparnica (+387 65 650 524)
• Niko Popadić (+387 65 531 933)
• Mile Marčeta (+387 65 524 283)
• Drago Šušnjar (+387 65 531 930)
• Đuro Miletić (+387 65 567 169)
• Ranko Gavrić (+387 65 569 457)
• Tode Kojadinović (+387 65 474 123)
• Dobrivoje Popović (+387 65 560 190)
• Radomir Lukač (+387 65 910 018)

• The taxi stand on Sportska Street is one of the main taxi stands in the town due to its proximity to the bus station.
• Taxi vehicles are also frequently found right in front of the bus station, catering to passengers arriving from other cities.

We recommend that you call ahead and book your ride in advance, especially during weekends or holidays, and check the working hours. Also, make sure to agree on the price with the driver before departure. Most drivers use a taximeter, but it’s good to have an approximate idea of the fare, especially if you’re traveling outside the town.

• Parking areas: Cara Dušana bb, Ulica Sime Šolaje, Ulica Pavla Dževera, parking at Trg kralja Petra Karađorđevića, Ulica Svetog Save (two parking lots), parking within the medical center, Ulica Svetog Nikole, Ulica Jovana Raškovića (two parking lots), Ulica boraca srpskih, Kort free parking lot, parking near Arena Komercijalna banka, Ulica Sime Šolaje, parking by the Mašinska škola, parking MG Šiki in Svetog Save, parking near the Church of Sveti Sava.
• Underground garages: The only underground public garage in Mrkonjić Grad is the NMS parking garage on Petra Kočića Street.

• Weekdays: from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM
• Saturdays: from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Sundays: parking is free

• One hour parking: approximately €0.25, with no time limit on duration
• Daily ticket: approximately €2
• Monthly ticket: approximately €28

• SMS payment: 083 5005
• Parking service: +387 50 220 932
• Vehicle unlocking service: +387 65 618 196
• Free information line: 0800 50

• Ključ: A small town about 37 km from Mrkonjić Grad, known for its rich history and cultural landmarks such as the medieval fortresses Kamičak and Ključ. The town is surrounded by hills, slopes, and valleys, with popular hiking destinations including the Grmeč and Šiša mountains. The Sana River, which flows through the municipality, supports a developed fishing tourism industry.
• Podbrdo: A small hilly village with fewer than a thousand inhabitants, located 8.5 km from Mrkonjić Grad. In the village, you can visit the Serbian Orthodox Church dedicated to Saint Petka. Podbrdo is characterized by old traditional houses and hospitable locals. It is a great choice for recreational visitors and tourists who enjoy hiking.
• Gornja Pecka: This village, surrounded by beautiful preserved nature, was once home to the Roman city of Sarnada in the 3rd century. A Roman road that passed through the village connected Sremska Mitrovica and Dubrovnik. Nearby is the source of the Sana River, one of the most beautiful and well-known natural sites in the region. Gornja Pecka is located about 30 km southwest of Mrkonjić Grad.
• Donji Vrbljani: A village located 30 km away in the Ribnik municipality, ideal for visitors who want to enjoy a rural atmosphere. Here, you can visit the source of the Sana River, an Orthodox church built before World War II, an old watermill, and historic school buildings that testify to a long tradition of rural education.

• Prehistory: The area around Mrkonjić Grad has been inhabited for over 2,500 years, as evidenced by archaeological findings from the Illyrian period, particularly from the Mezeji tribe. This region was important due to its mining activities, especially deposits of copper and iron.
• Antiquity: During the Roman Empire, the territory of Mrkonjić Grad was part of the province of Illyricum, which saw conflicts between the Illyrians and Romans. In antiquity, Mrkonjić Grad was located along a Roman road connecting Dalmatia and Pannonia, as confirmed by archaeological remains of Roman roads, fortresses, and settlements.
• Medieval Period: In the Middle Ages, Mrkonjić Grad belonged to the župa (county) of Donji Kraji, ruled by the Stipanić-Hrvatinić family. From this era, several medieval tombstones (stećci) have been found, along with fortresses such as Sokol, Prizrenac, and Bočac, which served as defensive structures.
• Founding of the Town: The settlement of Mrkonjić Grad was officially founded at the end of the 16th century as a vakuf (endowment) by Kizlar-aga Đukanović, who built a mosque, a market, and other important facilities, allocating funds for the development of trade and crafts. Over time, the town underwent several name changes—known as Jenidže Jajce and Varcarev Vakuf—before adopting its current name in the 1920s, after the Serbian leader Petar Mrkonjić.
• Modern Era: After the Austro-Hungarian occupation in the 1870s, the town developed further with the establishment of schools, administrative units, and industrial activities. During World War I, the residents of Mrkonjić Grad participated in battles on several fronts.
• World War II Period: During the war, the town was repeatedly liberated and recaptured. Resistance movements, Chetniks, and occupying forces operated in the area, causing significant casualties among the local population and fighters. The town was finally liberated in 1944.
• Bosnian War: During the 1990s Bosnian War, Mrkonjić Grad suffered significant destruction and loss of life, similar to much of the territory in Republika Srpska.

• Location: Mrkonjić Grad is situated at 44° 25′ 01″ North latitude and 17° 05′ 02″ East longitude. It is part of the Bosanska Krajina region in the western part of Republika Srpska.
• Area: The municipality covers an area of 677.43 square kilometers.
• Average Elevation: 591 meters above sea level.
• Neighboring Municipalities: Mrkonjić Grad shares borders with Jajce, Šipovo, Petrovo, Ribnik, Ključ, Bosanski Petrovac, and Drvar.
• Local Communities: The municipality is divided into 21 local communities: Baljvine, Bjelajce, Baraći, Gerzovo, Gustovara, Podgorija, Magajldol, Medna, Gornja Pecka, Gornji Šehovci, Stupari, Podrašnica, Podbrdo, Majdan, Gornji Graci, Orahovljani, the center of Mrkonjić Grad, Brkića Bašta, Kamenica, Novo Naselje, and Zborište.
• Relief: The terrain is predominantly hilly and mountainous, surrounded by mountains Lisina (1,467 m), Dimitor (1,483 m), Čemernica (1,338 m), Manjača (1,239 m), and Ovčara (1,576 m). Between these mountains lie the plateaus Podraško Polje and Podovi, while the valleys are mostly small and situated along river courses. The geology of the area is diverse, featuring rocks of various origins and ages.
• Natural Resources: The region is rich in bauxite, limestone, dolomite, quartzite, bentonite, marble, clay, forests, agricultural land, and water resources.

• Climate type: Mrkonjić Grad has a temperate continental climate with microclimatic characteristics typical of mountainous areas. Winters are cold and snowy, summers are moderately warm, and the seasons have distinct transitions.
• Annual precipitation: Between 900 and 1,200 liters per square meter. Rainfall occurs throughout the year, with spring and autumn being the wetter seasons.
• Average temperatures:
  • Winter: from -2°C to 0°C
  • Summer: from 20°C to 25°C
  • Spring and Autumn: from 8°C to 15°C

• Population: According to the latest census (2013), the municipality of Mrkonjić Grad had 16,671 inhabitants, while the town itself had 7,915 residents.
• Language: As in the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mrkonjić Grad does not have only one official language; Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian languages are all used concurrently.
• Population Density: 24.9 inhabitants per square kilometer.
• Ethnic Composition: Serbs—95.04%, Unknown—3.33%, Bosniaks—0.82%, Croats—0.35%, Others—0.46%.
• Religious affiliation: The majority of the population are Serbs, so the dominant religion is Orthodox Christianity, alongside Catholic and Muslim communities.

• Folklore: Mrkonjić Grad has a long tradition of organized cultural life and events, reflected in the work of societies and associations that nurture traditional singing, drama, music, and folk dances.
• Traditional Costume: The traditional costume and folklore of this area retain characteristics of the mountainous Dinaric region, while the town also shows influences of Oriental culture, especially visible in women's clothing.
• Traditional and Cultural Events: Annually, Mrkonjić Grad hosts events such as the Days of Haymaking, various festivals, folklore gatherings, and cultural evenings that preserve tradition while simultaneously engaging the population with contemporary cultural trends.
• Religious Sites: Religious spaces in Mrkonjić Grad include Orthodox and Catholic churches as well as restored mosques, reflecting the multi-ethnic and multi-confessional character of this Bosnian-Herzegovinian area.
• Blacksmith Craft: The old blacksmith craft has been present in the town since the Middle Ages. However, many smithies began closing after World War II, though the craft continues to be passed down in some families. The most famous blacksmith product is the “varcarke” scythes made from “mazija” steel imported from Linz. Today, only a few smithies operate in Mrkonjić Grad.
• Digitalization of Cultural Heritage: In recent years, Mrkonjić Grad has intensified efforts in digitizing its cultural heritage and promoting it through modern media. Local institutions have started cooperating with national and international partners to implement projects aimed at preserving the tradition of Mrkonjić Grad.