The former Yugoslavian republics are full of quirky Communist/Socialist monuments, statues, buildings, and other points of interest. Bosnia and Herzegovina seems to have some of the most intriguing ones. I’ve visited numerous sites, including Željava Airbase, the Kozara Monument, the Sutjeska Monument, and the Garavice Memorial, to name a few of my favorites. Marshal Tito’s bunker had been at the top of my list ever since it was opened to the public. This summer, I finally visited it with my family. It was a cool experience, even for the kids. I will spare you the dry facts and figures so straight to the photos and tips for visiting the bunker.
Visiting Tito’s Bunker
It was peak summer season, so we called ahead to inquire about visiting the bunker. We booked our spots by phone and arrived at the bunker the next day. We didn’t realize we were supposed to pick up the tickets in Konjic before arriving at the military entrance. Fortunately, we were early, so we had time to drive back and get the tickets.
The road to the bunker is narrow, with a steep hill on one side and the Neretva River on the other. There’s little room to pass other cars and even less space to turn around. To avoid the hassle, consider arranging a transfer from Konjic or parking farther out where the road is wider and walking the last few hundred meters. Once the guide opens the gates, you can park within the military grounds, where there is plenty of space.
Visitors board a rustic bus for a short ride to the actual bunker entrance. There were over 100 visitors waiting for the guides, and we were separated into English, Italian, and Bosnian-speaking groups. Since the English group was the smallest, we joined it. Inside, it’s relatively easy to explore the rooms and chambers. While you shouldn’t lose sight of the group, you can explore more or less independently. I appreciated this because it allowed me to wait for others to clear the rooms before taking photos.
We spent about two hours inside, and it was incredibly interesting. Seeing the bunker as it was left behind is priceless! I’m not entirely convinced by the art installations, but they didn’t detract from the awesome Yugo-nostalgic experience!
Photos of Tito’s Bunker
Conclusion
If you’re visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, make sure to stop in Konjic and visit the bunker—it’s well worth it. Besides the bunker, Konjic itself is a gem of a town with its stunning Ottoman bridge over the Neretva River. For the more adventurous, rafting on the Neretva River is a must. I highly recommend Hitko Rafting—they did a great job making it fun for our entire family.
Don’t forget to check out more of my stories from Bosnia and Herzegovina! Thank you, and see you again.
