DESCRIPTION

Trebinje is a city in the very south of Bosnia and Herzegovina, serving as the administrative center of the municipality of the same name. It is located on the Trebišnjica River, just 27 kilometers from the sea, making it the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Herzegovina. The Trebišnjica River, which flows through Trebinje, is a sinkhole river that forms part of a complex network of above-ground and underground waters, ultimately connected to the Adriatic Sea. Trebinje was first mentioned as Tribunia in the 10th century in the writings of Constantine Porphyrogenitus. It was part of the Byzantine archonty and later became the center of Travunia in the 14th century, which was under the rule of the Nemanjić dynasty. In the 15th century, Trebinje fell under Ottoman rule, sharing the fate of other cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During this period, the city shifted from being a trading hub to a defensive stronghold due to its strategic position in relation to neighboring Montenegro, free Dubrovnik, and Venetian Dalmatia. After centuries of Ottoman control, Trebinje came under the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which lasted until the end of the First World War. During the Austro-Hungarian period, the city underwent modernization, with the construction of the main street, parks, squares, schools, and other facilities.