Han Pijesak, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

🇧🇦 Han Pijesak is a town and municipality located in Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As of 2013, the municipality has a population of 3,530 inhabitants, while the town of Han Pijesak has a population of 1,820 inhabitants.

Geography Han Pijesak is located about 70km north-east from Sarajevo, on the slopes of mountain Romanija, at an altitude of 1,100m.

History Medieval stećak monuments on the sites of Pokojnica (Mramorje) and Podgroblje (Luka) are located near the village of Nevačka in Han Pijesak municipality.

In his writings from 1664, 17th-century Ottoman explorer Evliya Çelebi mentioned Han Pijesak as one of the biggest and most important rest stops (hans) on the caravan road from Sarajevo to Zvornik.

During the Habsburg era, Han Pijesak began to serve as an administrative centre for the region. A settlement of wood-logging workers around the area of the former han was first mentioned in 1895.

After the Battle of Cer victory in World War I, the Serbian Army led by Miloš Božanović advanced to Han Pijesak area. They fought with the Austrian Army in Eastern Bosnia between August and October 1914, eventually withdrawing to the other side of the Drina.

The summer residence of King Aleksandar I Karadjordjević was built in Han Pijesak in 1922. It was in possession of the royal family until the Second World War, when it began to serve as a military bunker. The renovation of the villa started in 2023.

Settlements The town of Han Pijesak is home to roughly half the population of the municipality. The municipality also consists of the following settlements: • Babine Gornje • Berkovina • Brložnik • Džimrije • Gođenje • Japaga • Jelovci • Kraljevo Polje • Kram • Krivače • Kusače • Malo Polje • Mrkalji • Nerići • Nevačka • Pjenovac • Plane • Podžeplje • Potkozlovača • Ravanjsko • Rečica • Rijeke • Rubinići • Stoborani • Žeravice.

Economy Agriculture, forestry and fishing 437; Mining and quarrying 1; Manufacturing 100; Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 15; Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 25; Construction 16; Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 40; Transportation and storage 32; Accommodation and food services 21; Information and communication 2; Financial and insurance activities 6; Real estate activities -

Professional, scientific and technical activities 3; Administrative and support service activities 1; Public administration and defense; compulsory social security 105; Education 37; Human health and social work activities 28; Arts, entertainment and recreation 14; Other service activities 2; Total 884.