The History of Cazin

Information for Tourists

The History of Cazin

City Administration of Cazin: Operates on weekdays from 07:00 AM to 03:30 PM.

Public Institution "Center for Culture and Tourism" Cazin: Available during these hours for cultural and tourism inquiries.

Café Bar within the Public Institution "Center for Culture and Tourism": Open daily from 07:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Old Town of Ostrožac: Open every day from 09:00 AM to 19:00 PM. For ticket purchases or specific requests, contact via email at info@ckt.ba or by phone at +387 37 539 069.

Entry to the Old Town Cazin: Free of charge, including the City Mosque located in the center of Cazin.

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The area of Cazin has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as shown by many archaeological finds. Important discoveries come from hillforts like Čungar, Gradina, and Selište near Stijena. A grave with valuable bronze jewelry found in Kuduzovići near Ostrožac suggests that during the younger Iron Age (from the 5th to the 1st century BC), the Japodi, an Illyrian tribe, lived here. They had one of their centers in the nearby area of Bihać. When the Romans conquered this region at the beginning of the Common Era, it marked the start of historical times. The Romans brought the first written language and encouraged the local people to adopt Roman customs and the Latin language, which was the official language of the Roman Empire. From this period, a grave was discovered in Podgredina with remains of jewelry and pottery. When the Slavs arrived in the Balkans during the early Middle Ages, life in the Cazin region continued, but there are no written records or testimonies from that time. Although we know a decent amount about the medieval history of nearby towns like Ostrožac, Stijena, Tržac, Mutnik, Šturlić, and Pećigrad, we have very little information about the medieval town of Cazin itself. Until the end of the 15th century, we can say that Cazin was initially part of the Croatian state, if it existed at that time. Later, it became part of the Kingdom of Hungary, where it was first mentioned. By the first half of the 16th century, Cazin was under the Habsburg Monarchy, awaiting the Ottoman conquerors. Unlike nearby Ostrožac, which briefly fell under the control of the Hrvatnić family, Cazin and its surrounding area were not ruled by the Bosnian ruler or any specific Bosnian noble families. Therefore, Cazin's medieval history is closely tied to the developments in the Hungarian state, which faced internal conflicts and increasing threats from the Ottomans in the 14th and 15th centuries. Cazin is first mentioned in historical documents in 1494. These records show that medieval Cazin had its own town, or suburb, with a judge and citizens. The most significant event before Ottoman rule happened in 1522 when the Bishopric of Knin moved its seat to Cazin after the Ottomans conquered Knin. During the 16th century, Cazin and the surrounding area suffered from Ottoman raids, which became more common and serious over time. Cazin fell under Ottoman control in 1578 when Ferhad-beg Sokolović's military forces took the Cazin fortress from the Habsburgs. By the end of the 16th century, Cazin was under Ottoman control. The town had a permanent military garrison of 150 paid border guards, mostly cavalry. In 1630, the Austrian diplomat Anastas Grgičević described Cazin as a walled and fortified settlement with about 300 households. During the 17th century, Cazin was part of the Ostrožac Captaincy, which was created sometime during that period. Cazin did not have its own dizdar (fortress commander). There are few records about Cazin from this time because the Ottoman border moved towards Korana and Glina, leaving Cazin far from the front lines. However, during the Great Turkish War or The Viennese War (1683-1699), the people of Cazin faced significant hardships. In 1685, the Austrian army attacked the Cazin region twice, destroying and looting everything they could. Cazin also became a center of uprisings in the Krajina region. One notable revolt happened in the 18th century against the Ostrožac captain Ibšir-beg Beširević due to unpaid wages for the town’s garrison. In the 1830s, the Cazin region experienced disruption due to a rebellion that led to widespread anarchy. In 1833, census enumerators, intended to analyze the Cazin fortress, never arrived; they simply reported that Cazin was deserted. An Austrian report from the following year noted that the town still possessed eight cannons, along with some food and ammunition. During the punitive expedition of Omer-pasha Latas in Bosnia in 1851, the last cannon shot from the Cazin fortress was fired as a sign of rebellion against Omer-pasha. However, like the other rebels in Bosnia, the people of Cazin did not fare well. About 40 rebels, led by Murat Kapić, were sent into exile in chains by Omer-pasha. None of them returned home alive. All of the above vividly illustrates the claim that the Cazin region was never at rest. During the Austro-Hungarian administration in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1878 to 1918, the lives of the local population, particularly Bosnian Muslims, underwent a significant transformation. This shift marked a transition to a new civilization with different cultural practices and ways of life, which was neither quick nor easy. Consequently, many Muslims began migrating from Bosnia to territories within the Ottoman Empire, including the Cazin region. Additionally, this period marked Bosnia's entry into the modern era. The people started adopting contemporary behaviors in politics, economics, and culture, and Cazin experienced rapid development. By 1887, Cazin had established itself as the fifth city in Bosnia, implementing a modern water supply system, setting up the first post office with telegraph services, developing roads that facilitated cart traffic, and opening public schools and a modern hospital. The construction of religious structures also took place during this time, with the City Mosque, which still serves as a symbol of Cazin today, being built. Local tradition claims that the mosque's large chandelier was a gift from Emperor Franz Joseph himself. Under Austro-Hungarian rule, Cazin became the administrative center of the Cazin district, which was part of the Bihać administrative region. With the establishment of the new Yugoslav state in 1918, the Cazin region experienced a stagnation in development, with minimal construction taking place aside from a few school buildings. The challenges of labor and sustenance were constantly present over the Cazin district and the broader Punje region. Many households relied on seasonal work, often sending family members across Yugoslavia or even abroad in search of employment. However, a turning point came in 1935 when Nurija Pozderac was elected as a member of parliament in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. His election marked the beginning of significant changes for the Cazin district. Pozderac initiated various projects aimed at addressing the extreme underdevelopment that plagued the region. According to the population census of 1935, the Cazin district, which encompassed a substantial portion of today’s municipality of Velika Kladuša, had a population of 47,727, highlighting both the size of the community and the potential for growth under new initiatives. In 1941, fascist forces (Germany and Italy) handed over Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the Cazin region, to the collaborationist entity. – the Independent State of Croatia. Cazin’s first liberation from fascism occurred at the end of 1942, when it became part of the famous Bihać Republic. In December of that same year, the supreme commander of the Yugoslav Partisans, Josip Broz Tito, visited the area and gave a speech at a rally where he revealed his true identity for the first time, famously saying: "I am Josip Broz, a metalworker, a Croat from Zagorje...". When discussing the history of the Cazin region during World War II, it is impossible to overlook the mention of Huska Miljković, a controversial and tragic figure from this area. In 1943-1944, Miljković became the undisputed ruler of the region, forming his own Muslim militia, known as Huska's Army. The period following World War II was marked by significant expectations based on Marxist ideology, but these hopes quickly faded as reality set in. The new regime imposed severe restrictions on farmers through forced requisitions and collectivization efforts. This resulted in an armed uprising of farmers that took place on May 6, 1950, in the Cazin region and the neighboring area of Slunj. This uprising, known as the Cazin Rebellion (Cazinska buna), involved about 720 farmers and became the last peasant uprising in Europe. The uprising was bloodily suppressed on the same day, and the communist retaliation was severe. Fifteen participants were sentenced to death, while over 100 families, comprising more than 700 members, were forcibly relocated to Srbac. These were difficult times for the people of Cazin, as the communist regime intentionally neglected the region as a form of further punishment for the open rebellion. It was not until the late 1960s that the official policy toward the Cazin region began to change. From that point on, the area began to experience a strong process of modernization, which, despite the wartime setbacks, continues to this day.

The Kajtezović tombstones, located in Donja Lučka near Cazin, represent a group of grave markers characteristic of the Krajina region. Placing tombstones along roadsides in this part of the country is not a rare occurrence, and such groups of tombstones in Krajina are referred to as "nišani krajputaši" (roadside tombstones). Initially, 16 tombstones were documented, built between 1913 and 1964, but today the number has increased due to the continuous burial of members of the Kajtezović family. The male tombstones are over three meters tall, featuring ornamental details such as plant motifs, ewers, rosettes, and crescents with stars. The ornaments on the female tombstones are similar, but instead of turbans, they have braids, and the rosettes are more elaborately designed. The tombstones are made from bihacite (a type of stone used for gravestones in Bosnia and Herzegovina) - a local stone from the Bihać region, using traditional tools such as saws and grinders for stone processing. This cemetery complex was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2006.

The house of Ibro Alagić in Cazin, built in the first half of the 19th century during the Ottoman rule, is one of the oldest residential buildings in the city. It belonged to the Alagić family, which was prominent in Cazin's politics and economy during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The house is a typical example of the so-called "katna kuća" (two-story house with a passage), characteristic of this region. It was constructed with broken stone and lime mortar for the ground floor, while the upper floor is made of wooden construction filled with clay tiles. The house features an abdesthane (a small washroom for ritual purification) with a toilet on the western side. The roof is hipped, covered with wooden shingles.The house of Ibro Alagić was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2012.

The House of Nurija Pozderac, built in 1820, stands as a significant historical monument in Cazin. This residence belonged to the Pozderac family, whose members were influential in the political and economic spheres of both Cazin and the broader Yugoslav community throughout the 20th century. A notable historical moment occurred during World War II when, on December 5, 1942, Josip Broz Tito visited Nurija Pozderac at his home. During this visit, Tito addressed a rally in Cazin, revealing his identity to the public with the famous declaration, "I am Josip Broz, a metalworker, a Croat from Zagorje..." Moreover, Nurija and his wife, Devleta, are remembered for their courage in saving persecuted Jews during the war. In recognition of their bravery, they were posthumously honored with the "Righteous Among the Nations" medal by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Israel in 2012. Architecturally, the house exemplifies the "katna kuća" style, a two-story design with a passage, typical of the Krajina region. It includes a basement, a ground floor, and an upper floor, showcasing the traditional building techniques of the area. The House of Nurija Pozderac was built using broken stone and lime mortar for the ground floor, while the upper floor was constructed with lighter materials. During World War II, the house became a target for attacks by Ustaše and Italian military forces, largely due to the Pozderac family's involvement in the anti-fascist resistance.In acknowledgment of its significant historical and architectural value, the house was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2009. This recognition highlights the importance of the property not only as a residence but also as a symbol of resilience and bravery during a rough period in history.

Radetina Tower is a medieval and Ottoman fortification located near Cazin, significant for its role in the defensive system of the Kingdom of Hungary and later the Habsburg Monarchy. Perched on steep terrain between the villages of Ćoralići and Gornja Koprivna, it served as an observation and guard post after coming under Ottoman control in 1577. The tower was strategically built in a natural setting that includes a cave and the Radetina stream. Beneath the tower lies a cave, which was later enclosed, possibly serving as a secret passage or shelter in the past. Although the roof of the tower has not survived, remnants of former balconies and windows can still be seen today. In recognition of its historical and natural significance, Radetina Tower, alongside its surroundings, was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2012. This designation encompasses the tower, the Radetina stream, and the surrounding natural heritage, highlighting its importance in the region's history.

The Old Town Bijela Stijena is a notable medieval and Ottoman fortification, recognized for housing one of the few sites with stećci (medieval tombstones) in this region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Located 7 km southeast of Cazin, it is first referenced in a charter from King Charles Robert dating back to 1330 as belonging to the Babonić family. The site fell to the Ottomans in 1575, who established the first mosque in the area. Around 1626, Bijela Stijena was further fortified, leading to the establishment of a new town in 1783 that would become one of the most fortified locations in the Bosnian Eyalet. Initially part of the Krupa Captaincy during the Ottoman period, it later came under the jurisdiction of the Ostrožac Captaincy in the 18th century, with the 1833 census recording the presence of seven cannons in the town. Today, the site consists of two sections: a largely ruined medieval area and a well-preserved Ottoman section. Within the town walls, there are two stećci tombstones shaped like coffins, ornamented with motifs of a horse and rider as well as birds. The remains of a stone mosque from the mid-19th century, which underwent restoration in 2022, alongside the ruins of medieval churches, can also be found in the town. In recognition of its historical and cultural significance, the Old Town Bijela Stijena was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2005. This designation includes the medieval town walls, the mosque, a small cemetery, and the Ottoman-period walls of the new town, highlighting its importance in the region's heritage.

Ostrožac Old Town, located on a rock overlooking the Una River canyon at an elevation of about 379 meters above sea level, is a prominent symbol of the Bosnian Krajina and one of the most old towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While it is believed that a settlement existed in this location during the earlier Iron Age, its documented history can reliably be traced back to the Middle Ages. The oldest written record of Ostrožac dates back to 1321, when the Blagaj Princes (Babonići) purchased the town from the Zagreb Chapter. After the Babonić family, the town came under the rule of the Hrvatinić family, and later, in 1395, the Hungarian King Sigismund gave Ostrožac to Ban Vuk Vukčić Hrvatinić. . Over the centuries, the town experienced various ownership changes among the Babonić family and other noble families. Ottoman rule was firmly established in 1578 under Ferhad-beg Sokolović, making Ostrožac part of the Ostrožac Captaincy, which was notably ruled by the Beširević family for over 200 years. Osman-aga Beširević expanded the fortifications and constructed the captain's residence, known as the beg’s konak, on the site of the current castle. In the early 20th century, during Austro-Hungarian rule in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Isabella von Berks purchased Ostrožac from Mehmed-beg Beširević, a descendant of the Ostrožac captains, and built a romantic castle in a secluded area between 1900 and 1902. The Ostrožac fortress underwent significant restoration during this period. Notably, it is the only preserved castle in Bosnia and Herzegovina, featuring a neo-Gothic architectural style. The castle was richly decorated with various rooms, including a library and a music room. In 1933, the Berks family relocated to Slavonia while the castle itself became a retreat for relaxation and leisure. During World War II, Ostrožac played a crucial role as the headquarters of the Supreme Command of the National Liberation Army during the Bihać Republic (1942-1943). In January 1943, Josip Broz Tito, the Supreme Commander of the Yugoslav Partisans, stayed at the castle, accompanied by writer Vladimir Nazor, who wrote his well-known diary 'With the Partisans' there. Tito visited Ostrožac once again in 1966. In 1967, the establishment of the "Ostrožac" Sculpture Colony marked a new chapter for the fortress, transforming it into an “open-air gallery” that is unique to the region. For nearly 60 years, artists and sculptors from all over the world have been visiting Ostrožac, where they carve their works from the native stone of this region – bihacit. The result of this is a collection of over 130 sculptures, which are placed in the natural setting of the Ostrožac fortress. Architecturally, Ostrožac extends in an east-west direction, with a length of about 185 meters and a width that varies. Among its notable features are the "Kapi" tower, a circular defensive structure adorned with a dragon relief, a well, and the neo-Gothic castle, all of which enhance the town's unique character. In recognition of its cultural and historical significance, the Old Town of Ostrožac was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2013. This national monument encompasses the medieval fortress, the Ottoman-era fortress, the castle of Lothar von Berks, and the impressive sculpture collection, highlighting the rich heritage of the area.