Journey through Time: Hiking the Partisan Trail in Jablanica

in hive-184437 •  last year  (edited)

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Welcome to Jablanica, another hidden gem in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here, you will find the deep valley of the Neretva River, which played a significant role in World War II. In this post, we will explore the history and natural beauty of Jablanica an dhis very famous and very broken bridge.

Mirror of time
Mirror of time

Table of contents

  1. The Valley of Neretva
  2. The Battle over Bridge on Neretva
  3. One bridge, a few
  4. Ruins on both banks
  5. Reconstruction Project for Memorial Bridge
  6. Hiking Trail along Partisan Symbol
  7. Hiking down
  8. Remnants from Decisive Days
  9. Goodbye, Jablanica

The Valley of Neretva

The valley of the Neretva, a river that swings widely through Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country hardly known to many people, is a deep, narrow gulf here near the village of Jablanica. The two banks of the river are green and steep, the horizon is bordered by the mountains Čvrsnica and Prenj. Jablanica is unspectacular at first sight: 10,000 inhabitants live in the town, which calls itself the "capital of roast lamb".

The complete scenery
The complete scenery

The town should have been world fame because granite from here was used for the construction of the UN building in New York. But from whom? Nobody knows and most of the tourists visiting Bosnia pass only by the most significant sight of the small town. However, this town played a significant role in World War II right here at the two banks of the river. They are picturesque and they offer stunning views for photography enthusiasts. The water beneath these rusty remains is deep blue while the sun shines brightly on both sides of the bank. It's peaceful all around here at Jablanica.

On the other bank of the Neretva river
On the other bank of the Neretva river

The Battle over Bridge on Neretva

Exactly 80 years ago from today, one of the most bitter battles during World War II took place at Jablanica's bridge over Neretva River. Communist leader Josip Broz Tito and his partisan army forced their way out of a cauldron formed by German Wehrmacht, Italian army, royalist Chetniks and fascist Ustasha who were all marched on to destroy his army.

It looks like old but is is from the year 1978
It looks like old but is is from the year 1978

It was an intense battle that required many fateful decisions from Tito as he had to deal with inner conflicts between military thinking and human feelings. These events inspired director Veljko Bulajic to make "The Bridge over Neretva" film in 1969 with Pablo Picasso creating its poster.

Can anyone own a row boat?
Can anyone own a row boat?

Veljko Bulajić was later nominated for an Oscar for his film which featured stars like Hardy Krüger, Sergei Bondarchuk, Yul Brynner, Milena Dravić Curd Jürgens Franco Nero reenacting Tito's showdown against German General Lohring along with dramatic hours of decision-making process that led to risky deception before finally paving way out through a breakneck decision.

One bridge, a few

The bridge in question should not be confused with the Stari Most in Mostar as it is another one and not the same as it was in real life. The bridge in the film and during the battle was a railroad bridge, riveted from steel girders. It still connects both steep banks but tells a whole story: on one side of the bank, the bridge has fallen into the river while on other side, it still hangs today as if by a thin thread.

The path down is in the middle.
The path down is in the middle.  

A large museum nearby commemorates what dramatic events took place here. The museum opened on November 12, 1978, by Josip Broz Tito to celebrate its 35th anniversary of this battle. This modern building adjoins an open area where old guns stand along with an ancient steam locomotive that also played its role in this historic battle.

It’s the fourth bridge they builde here
It's the fourth bridge they builde here

It's necessary to know that although the real bridge over Neretwa was blown up during fierce battles between Nazis and partisans back in 1943; days later however partisans built temporary wooden bridges within only eighteen hours which were replaced by Germans again with new ones after few months which were finally blown up again during filming of "Battle of Neretva" movie back in 1968.

New work for an old bridge
New work for an old bridge

Ruins on both banks

Today, real rails and railroad buildings founded back in 1888 still stand on both banks but crossing through legendary bridges is possible only for pedestrians now due to new slope down to water almost horizontally on right bank while slight incline towards left part of this reconstructed memorial bridge built deliberately as ruin attached onto new concrete foundations at riverbed of Neretva along slope right bank above which there are wooden crossbeams laid forming wooden floor used by visitors for crossing from right to left bank commemorating crossing during battle honouring heroes who fought bravely against Nazi army and their allies.

The traffic must be ride on the other side
The traffic must be ride on the other side

Reconstruction Project for Memorial Bridge

The reconstruction project for the memorial bridge was completed in May 1977 as part of the project for the Museum of the Battle. The aim was not to build a real bridge, but a broken one that would serve as a monument. Today, visitors can still see real rails and railroad buildings from 1888 on both banks.

It’s a long way to the top
It's a long way to the top

However, crossing through legendary bridges is possible only for pedestrians now due to new slope down to water almost horizontally on right bank while slight incline towards left part of this reconstructed memorial bridge built deliberately as ruin attached onto new concrete foundations at riverbed of Neretva along slope right bank above which there are wooden crossbeams laid forming wooden floor used by visitors for crossing from right to left bank commemorating crossing during battle honouring heroes who fought bravely against Nazi army and their allies.

Isn’t it a nice place?
Isn't it a nice place?

Although crossing the bridge is prohibited at present, visitors can still hike along where Tito's partisans once set a symbol of hope and resistance by defeating Nazi army and their allies. The ways down are small narrow paths closed off with fences that require pushing past nettles fields before reaching all way down.

Down where the partisan were
Down where the partisan were

Here at Jablanica's very bottom river valley, it's cool and even more beautiful than it looks in photos. A hiking trail leads leisurely back up another bank where remains of this bridge protrude demonstratively destroyed into gorge revealing only real remnants from decisive days during World War II await attentive eyes.

On this place they fight for freedom
On this place they fight for freedom

A short tunnel has been preserved through which trains used to come while signalman's house barred windows and loopholes still reveal that it was not always peaceful here.

Hiking Trail along Partisan Symbol

Visitors can take a leisurely hike along this partisan symbol trail starting from Jablanica town center leading them towards Neretva River valley bottom passing through fields filled with wildflowers blooming in summer months offering scenic views worth capturing on camera.

The museum (closed at our time)
The museum (closed at our time)

As they reach the bottom of the valley, visitors can see reconstructed memorial bridge built deliberately as ruin attached onto new concrete foundations at riverbed of Neretva along slope right bank above which there are wooden crossbeams laid forming wooden floor used by visitors for crossing from right to left bank commemorating crossing during battle honouring heroes who fought bravely against Nazi army and their allies.

A Bosnian flag
A Bosnian flag

It's a peaceful place now where visitors can sit back and enjoy nature's beauty while reflecting on history that took place here. The hiking trail leads back up another bank where remains of this bridge protrude demonstratively destroyed into gorge revealing only real remnants from decisive days during World War II await attentive eyes.

Hiking down

It’s a german made locomotive
It's a german made locomotive

Visitors should be cautious while hiking along this trail as it requires pushing past nettles fields before reaching all way down towards the bottom of the valley. However, once they reach there, they will find it cool and even more beautiful than it looks in photos.

No one shopuld climb, bot we do
No one shopuld climb, bot we do

Jablanica is an excellent destination for those interested in history, photography, budget travel or road trips. It offers stunning scenery combined with rich history that played a significant role in World War II. Visitors can explore reconstructed memorial bridges built deliberately as ruins attached onto new concrete foundations at riverbeds of Neretva along slopes right banks above which there are wooden crossbeams laid forming wooden floors used by visitors for crossing from right to left banks commemorating crossings during battles honoring heroes who fought bravely against Nazi army and their allies.

A canon to rmember
A canon to rmember

Remnants from Decisive Days

As visitors hike along the partisan symbol trail in Jablanica, they will come across remnants of the decisive days during World War II. These remnants are a testament to the fierce battles that took place here and serve as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought against Nazi forces.

On the other side of the river
On the other side of the river

One such remnant is a short tunnel that was used by trains during the war. Visitors can walk through this tunnel and imagine what it must have been like for soldiers to pass through it during wartime.

Flags & emblems
Flags & emblems

Another remnant is a signalman's house with barred windows and loopholes that reveal its past as an active military outpost. It serves as a stark reminder of how dangerous life was for those who lived and fought here.

Burned out wagon
Burned out wagon

Finally, visitors will see remains of the bridge that played such an important role in World War II. The bridge has fallen into disrepair over time, but its rusted steel girders still stand as evidence of the intense fighting that took place here.

Near the locomotive
Near the locomotive

As visitors explore these remnants, they will gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who fought in World War II.

Goodbye, Jablanica

Jablanica may not be well-known outside Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it offers travelers an opportunity to explore stunning scenery combined with rich history. From hiking trails along partisan symbols to reconstructed memorial bridges built deliberately as ruins attached onto new concrete foundations at riverbeds of Neretva along slopes right banks above which there are wooden crossbeams laid forming wooden floors used by visitors for crossing from right to left banks commemorating crossings during battles honoring heroes who fought bravely against Nazi army and their allies; there is something for everyone in Jablanica.

A small monument
A small monument

So why not plan your next trip to this hidden gem? Not always the places that everyone visits are the best places to visit. You won't regret exploring its natural beauty while learning about its fascinating history.

Thank you for reading and if you like my work please follow me          on HiveTravelfeed or Steem or visit my homepage koenau.de

A few more pictures:

It’s like a fortress: The signal box
It's like a fortress: The signal box

Forgotten wagon
Forgotten wagon

Shoot hole
Shoot hole

An armored door
An armored door

The old tunnel
The old tunnel

On the left side the museum
On the left side the museum

It’s not a bridge, it is a symbol
It's not a bridge, it is a symbol

The concrete tower on the right bank is ancient
The concrete tower on the right bank is ancient

The regular bridge
The regular bridge

A new build ruin
A new build ruin

We must not leave the wounded Tito said
We must not leave the wounded Tito said

This is the regular bridge for the traffic nearby
This is the regular bridge for the traffic nearby

Locomotive breath
Locomotive breath

The scenery
The scenery


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