Putovanje po Bosni

"A Journey through Bosnia" by Ivan Kukuljević Sakcinski was originally published in the mid-19th century as a result of his travels through Bosnia, then still part of the Ottoman Empire. This edition (Fortuna, 2007) brings a faithful reproduction of the text, which is also one of the most important Croatian travelogues of the period. Kukuljević approaches Bosnia as a historian, politician and early Illyrian, and his observations combine the curiosity of a traveler with the analytical skills of a scholar.

The book provides detailed descriptions of cities, villages and natural landscapes: from Sarajevo and Travnik to smaller towns, which the author sees as lively hubs of trade, crafts and cultural encounters. He pays special attention to social relations in Bosnia, the complex ethnic and religious structure and the customs of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish population. Sakcinski also records many small scenes of everyday life — from the way of dress to hospitality — thus creating a picture of a space at the transition between tradition and the coming modernization.

The political situation under Ottoman rule is also an important topic. The author describes the administrative system, taxes, military service and the specific position of Christians in Bosnia, sometimes critically, but always trying to understand the local logic and historical context. In addition, he notes historical monuments, old fortresses, ruins and traces of medieval Bosnia, giving the travelogue the value of historical documentation.

Sakcinski's style is lively, sometimes literary, and often imbued with the political ideas of the time - especially with an interest in Slavic and South Slavic history. For this reason, this travelogue is not just a travelogue, but also a cultural and historical document that reflects the Illyrian view of Bosnia as a space of deep connections, but also of great differences.