This is certainly one of the places to see when you visit the northeast of Bosnia. On the River Gradisnica, between the mountains of Majevica and Trebava, lies the beautiful town of Gradacac.



This town holds great historical significance for Bosnians. Husein Kapetan Gradascevic was a ruling beg during Ottoman times. He was a warrior and leader, highly respected and feared throughout the region, who posed such a tangible threat to Ottoman authority that he could bargain for more autonomy, self-rule and land rights. There are several versions of history but the common one is that he and his army were able to defend the territories of the northeastern frontier when the Ottomans could not.



He was greatly feared by the Ottomans, and when the rebellious Dragon of Bosnia (as he was called) decided to confront the Ottomans, he marched his army all the way to Kosovo in 1831. The Dragon's army defeated the Ottomans and further destabilised the empire's hold on Bosnia. This rebellious spirit proved contagious among the local pashas and ruling families, and sparked many more rebellions. Gradascevic was later betrayed and forced to flee across the Sava to Austria. The numerous buildings bearing his name attest to his role in the history of the town.