Pale
Pale is a municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska. It developed during the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. In 1992, it became the seat of the Republika Srpska to lose that status in 1998 when the capital of that entity became Banja Luka. Neighboring municipalities are: Sokolac, Rogatica, Pale-Prac, Trnovo (RS), and the cities of East Sarajevo and Sarajevo.
Part of the municipality was joined by the Dayton Peace Agreement to the Federation of BiH and formed a new municipality called Pale-Praca.
The municipality of Pale includes 492 km² of distinctly mountainous character, with an altitude of 624 to 1916 m. The lowest point is at 624 m above sea level, on the western side of the municipality, where Paljan and Mokranjska Miljacka are merged.
The central part of the municipality of Pale occupies the pale basin, located between the mountain massifs: Jahorina from the south, Gosina from the east, Romanija from the northeast, Ozren from the north and northwest and Trebevic from the west. The seat of the municipality is in the settlement of Pale. Pale trees are located in the basin itself, which takes up an area of about 8.5 km². They are located at an altitude of 820 m.
They have fallen by geographical and natural traits, long known as a climatic health resort and a picnic area. The beauty of the environment, clean air and the proximity of ski slopes on Jahorina represent a natural disposition and a real basis for the development of tourism. Moderately warm and humid climate is present in the lower parts of the municipality, this climate exceeds 1,000 m above sea level, and this climate goes into the mountain climate. A sharp mountain climate is also felt during the summer months, when the air temperature rarely exceeds 25 ° Celsius.
The predominant part of the municipality's territory consists of forest land (64%), and all (34%) agricultural and other land.
In the area of the municipality there are several famous caves: Orlovača, Pećina Source Mokranjska Miljacka, Tito's cave Bogovići, Popova cave and Novak's cave.
One of the most important natural sights is the Orlovača cave, which is arranged for tourist visits. Orlovača (948 m) is situated on the same name in the western part of the Romanija arch, hamlet Donje Sinjevo, settlement Sumbulovac, in the basin of Mokranjska Miljacka, or in the valley of its right tributary of Sinjava.
Extensive research of the Miljacka source included topographic measurements, biospeleological and hydrological research, as well as the examination of the traces of human culture. Research was carried out during 2007-2009. To date, speleologists have explored 7,100 m, making the cave Izvor Mokranjska Miljacka the longest documented cave in the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Developers in the area of Paljane municipality are industry, forestry, catering and tourism activities and trade. Due to the geographical and climatic characteristics of the area, the activity of agriculture is less developed. After the end of the war, development began in the field of construction, especially in the field of small economy.
Industrial development in the Municipality of Pag is mainly oriented to the metal, wood and textile industries.
The area of Pale municipality, with its natural conditions, favors the development of the hospitality and tourism industry. It is very attractive for tourists Olympic Center Jahorina, with beautiful skiing grounds, where the winter season lasts for five months. Skiers and other tourists are at the disposal of more than 20 km of well-equipped ski trails connected with seven ski lifts and six ski lifts, a modern ski school and a ski service.
Apart from the benefits for winter tourism, the Municipality of Pale also has excellent conditions for hunting tourism, with extraordinary hunting grounds connected to main, regional and forest roads, as well as hunting lodges.
From natural sights, the most important cave is Orlovača, which is arranged for tourist visits. Clover bears (Ursus spelaeus), as well as an insect from the Coleopter family, were found in the Orlovaca cave.
Subotica
The city of Subotica lies on the north of the Republic of Serbia, in the Vojvodina region, along the main European transit routes and between two rivers: the Danube and the Tisa. Abundant cultural heritage with astoundingly decorated buildings, multicultural spirit of Serbian and Hungarian origin, as well as overall European charm – these are all the features that make this city worth visiting. Subotica has made its name thanks for its relaxed atmosphere, spendid food and wines of the highest quality. Festivals, events, concerts, vibrant cultural life all year long are nothing short of and are an additional reason to visit this city.
Palić, the lake and the settlement by the same name that are 8 kilometres east of Subotica offer something new, unrepeatable and unforgettable at any season for its visitors. Outstanding facilities from the beginning of the 20th century: the Water Tower, the Grand Terrace, the Women’s Lido and the Music Pavilion, the splendid park, the well-known lake, peace and silence make Palić an ideal space for rest and relaxation. At the moment Palić provides high category hotels, renowned luxury and comfortable villas in the so called “Palić style”, as well as numerous lodgings and private boarding houses.
The City Hall, the very centre and the landmark of Subotica, was built between 1908 and 1912. It is 76m high and covers an area of 5838 m². The design of the Hall was done by Komor and Jakab, the famous Budapest architects. The decorative features of Art Nouveau are combined with the pecularities of the Hungarian folklore, embelished by floral elements made of ceramics and wrought ironwork forging. The Council Hall and its splendid stained glass windows are the heart of the building. It is being used for Assembly sessions, concerts, weddings and important gatherings. Likewise in the past, the City Hall hosts city administration, the Historical archives, boutiques and banks. City Hall's 45 m high observatory attracts visitors with the unforgettable panoramic overview of Subotica and itssurroundings.
Raichle Palace: It was built in 1904 by the architect Ferenc Raichle with the intention to make his home and his design studio. Expensive materials combined with the unusual combination of colours, the variety of forms and the breath-taking interior and the backyard make this sumptuous house an exceptional example of the Art Nouveau architecture. At present, it hosts the Modern Art Gallery “Likovni susret”.
The Water Tower: The architects of the building envisaged entering the Grand Park and resort through abundantly decorated entrance – The Water Tower. It was designed in Hungarian Art Nouveau style, inspired by folk elements: handicrafts, laces and embroidery. This symbol of Palić was formally open in 1912.
The Cathedral was built in late baroque style and is dedicated to the patron saint of Subotica, St. Theresa of Avila, whose figure appears in the city’s coat-of-arms as well. It was built in 1779 and has been renovated several times since then. In 1974, the Pope awarded the church with the title of a smaller basilica.
Franciscan Church: This Church dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel was erected in 1736, on the ruins of the medieval fortress dating from the 15th century. Attached to it is a friary with a chapel dedicated to the votive painting, the Black Madonna. The church, known as a neo-Romanticism building, is part of the Franciscan monastery.
Main Square: Unlike many European towns, in Subotica the City Hall dominates the Main Square instead of a church or a cathedral. The City Hall is a masterpiece of Hungarian version of Art Nouveau built in 1912. It is next to the park with a fountain and a vast square where many concerts and bazaars are held throughout the year. It is surrounded by the building of People's Theatre that is undergoing a major reconstruction. Originally it was a classic style building characterized by six Corinthian columns. On the Eastern side of the square there is a neo-baroque building of The Public Library. The two Atlases carrying one of the nicest balconies in the city make this building charming. The Emperor Jovan Nenad Monument in the middle of the square represents a controversial historical figure. He styled himself emperor and pronounced Subotica his capital in 1527, but all lasted for a very short period of time. Not far from the monument there are two fountains. The Green Fountain (1985) and the Blue Fountain (2001) are the pearls of the city centre. Both were made of Zsolnay tiles, likewise all decorative ceramics and roof tiles of the city’s Art Nouveau buildings.
Serbian Subotica-Horgoš wine region is a part of the great Pannonian sands between the rivers Danube and Tisa. Here, vineyards cover belt north of Subotica and Palić. The experience of grape growers and winemakers have resulted in the natural selection of grape varieties that proved to possess the best qualities of adaptation to the local climate and dominantly sandy terrain while at the same time capable of producing wines of the highest quality. There are quite some number of wineries, from small family wineries and cozy wine cellars to a world-class estate recognized beyond the borders of the country.