Medjugorje Guide

Where is Medjugorje?

Medjugorje is located in southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, called Herzegovina.

Medjugorje is located in southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, called Herzegovina. It is only 30 minutes ride away from the border of the Republic of Croatia. The Mediterranean climate with its mild temperatures is predominant in the whole region.

The coastal part of Croatia is an hour away. The closest are the Riviera of Makarska and Neum, the only town on the coast of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Along the coast of the Riviera of Makarska there are pebble beaches where the tourists refresh themselves in the warm summer days. The adventurous tourists decide to do parasailing or paragliding and the nature lovers walk along the paths of the Biokovo mountain. Many Medjugorje pilgrims, on they way to Split, make a stop in Our Lady's shrine Vepric.

Kravica waterfalls on Trebizat river.

Non of the rivers runs thru Medjugorje, but only 15 km to the south,to the east or to the north rivers Neretva, Trebižat, Buna, Krupa and Bregava flow by. Each of these rivers is of a great importance for the inhabitans of this region. They give water, food, electricity and they are the places for relaxation and adventure. Especially interesting is the river Neretva that flows under the famouse Old bridge. To have coffe in one of the restaurants beautifuly furnished in the oriental style i's much more nicer because of the cold water that refreshes the warm summer days. The inhabitants of the towns and villages located on the river banks prepare well known specialities like eel stew and frog risotto. These traditional meals are offered to the tourists in the restaurants along the river Neretva, especially the Neretva valley. This river flows thru the third highest canyon in Europe. The canyon is difficult to access and because of that the nature around it it's untouched. The only way possible that allows you to visit this hidden corner is to decide to take an adventurous ride in a rubber boat down the river. You can expirience an similar feeling while sitting in one of the canoes on the river Trebižat. Even if you are not an adventoures typ you will still enjoy the pure nature that has been formed and remodeld by the water streams. You will be amazed by the beauty of the waterfalls Kravice, Kočuša and Čeveljuša.

Old bridge - symbol of Mostar, the biggest town in Herzegovina, located 27 km north of Medjugorje

The biggest town in Herzegovina is located 27 km north of Medjugorje. World wide known Old bridge is the symbol of this town. The city that was almost completly destroyed during the war in 90's today it is in a process of rebuilding and opens a new page of the history. Tourists have always been a part of every day life of the town. The city offers to the visitor an diversity of the cultural, historical and religious monuments, traditional food served in an pleasent atmosphere and a beautiful nature that the rivers Neretva and Radobolja have been creating.

The two world wide known cities on the Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik and Split are frequent destination of Medjugorje pilgrims. One of the reasons for that is the vicinity of the airports through wich the pilgrims pass on they way to Medjugorje. Both Dubrovnik and Split, cities of the long history wit numerous cultural and historical monuments, are 2 to 2 and a half hours of ride away from the shrine. To reach the airport Resnik (Split) and airport Ćilipi (Dubrovnik) it takes half 30 minutes more.

Tvrdos monestary where 4th-century foundations of the first Roman church on the site are still visible today.

Pilgrims who want to learn more about the religion and every day life of the local inhabitants visit places like Humac (Ljubuški), an well known shrine of st. Anthony of Padua, Tihaljina, Široki brijeg but some smaller villages like Šurmanci, Gradnići and Studenci as well.

Not very far from Medjugore there are serbian-orthodox monasteries and churches. On the way to Trebinje (2 and half hours away) there is the monastery Tvrdoš and in the town itself monastery Gračanica built on the top of the hill.

The mixture of religion and culture created an unique civilisation. By visiting a few destinations, choosen with our help, you can learn a lot, enrich your spiritual life, have fun and enjoy good food in just couple of days of your vacation.

Religion sights

St James Church is today the focus and the centre of both sacramental and prayer life, not only for the parishioners, but also for pilgrims. (source: © Informativni centar "Mir" Međugorje, www.medjugorje.hr.)

Medjugorje is a parish that consists of five villages, Medjugorje, Bijakovići, Miletina, Vionica and Šurmanci. The church of St. James is the central place of religious meetings. In the church or its outside altar pilgrims have the opportunity to participate in prayer of the Rosary, confession, celebration of the Holy Mass, adoration and veneration of the Holy Cross daily. In the shrine there is an Adoration chapel, that is open for the pilgrims in the afternoon, a candle park and the statue of Our Lady "Queen of peace". Behind the church there is an prayer park called "Via domini" where we can find the mysteries of the rosary, wich are depicting the life of Jesus, the stations of the Way of the cross depicting the passion death; and the "Risen Lord" statue representing the resurrection. Many pilgrims who are not able to climb the hills come here to spend time in prayer.

Along with the parish church of St. James the Apparition hill and the Cross mountain are the places of gathering of the pilgrims.

Apparition hill - The place where the Medjugorje visionaries first saw Our Lady in 1981. (source: © Informativni centar "Mir" Međugorje, www.medjugorje.hr.)

Podbrdo or the Apparition hill is the place where the Medjugorje visionaries first saw Our Lady. Since 1981 millions have climbed to the top of this hill with the rosarybeats in their hands stopping along the rocky path only in front of the bronze plaques that are representing the mysteries of the rosary. At the base of the Apparition hill there are two blue crosses that are marking the place where the visionaries were hiding in the first days of the apparitions. The visionaries are coming to meet Our Lady to this place very often. Every second of the month Mirjana prays here for the unbelivers and Ivan together with his prayer group during the summer months.

The Cross Mountain - 8.56 m high concrete cross built in remembrance of the 1900 years since the death of Jesus. (source: © Informativni centar "Mir" Međugorje, www.medjugorje.hr.)

The Cross Mountain has had its special place in the hearts of the parishioners since 1933. That year the parishioners together with their parish priest decided to build a huge cross on the top of this hill. Along the path from the base to the top of the hill there are 16 stations of the Way of the cross. The first or introductory one was erected on the wish of the artist, and the last one "Resurection" remindes us that the death is not the end. The Holy Mass has been celebrated at the base of the cross since 1934. On the first Sunday after the feast of the Nativitiy when the parishioners are celebrating the Exaltation of the Cross. The second Mass on this mountain is celebrated for the end of the Youth festival witch has been taking place in Medjugorje for the last 22 years. This mass is so special because young people climbe during the night to be there at 5 a.m. when the Sun rises and the Mass starts.

Miscellanous tourist information

Official currency
The official currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina is convertible mark (BAM), in stores more often stated as KM.
1 Euro = 1.95 BAM
(If you are passing through Croatia or visiting one of the places there it is important to know that the local currency there is Croatian Kuna (KN).)

Accommodation
Over the years, Medjugorje has developed into a famous and popular destination for pilgrims from all over the world. As number of pilgrims grew, Medjugorje accommodation offer also grew along. Now pilgrims can choose from different types of accommodation facilites to suit both groups and individuals..

Tipping customs
Tipping in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not expected but appriciated. You leave tipp as a sign of appreciation if you are satisfied with the service. You leave as much as you think it is right in accordance with the quality of the service.

Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink if not indicated otherwise.

Visa regime
You'll need to organise your visa requirements before you go, so check if you need to apply for a visa for entering Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia (if you come through Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar airport). If you contact us we will gladely help you with all the information you need.

Flights
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