Around Usora River

The region around the Usora and Bosna Rivers, with the town of Doboj at its center, is characterized by rolling hills that slightly decrease in height from the south to the north.

A common feature of larger towns in this region, in the northern part of BiH, is that they possess relatively well-preserved medieval fortresses. These fortresses, locally called "Gradina," are located in the towns of Tešanj (1), Doboj (2), and Maglaj (3). Further to the west is the town of Teslić (4), which is well known for its thermal waters at Banja Vrućica. On the left bank of the Usora, near Tešanj, is the manmade Deer Lake (bs. Jezero Jelen) (5), which is attractive for visitors because of the large herds of deer residing in the area.

The town of Tešanj is situated between hills along the Tešanjka Creek, a tributary of the Usora. The town was first mentioned with its present-day name in 1461, in the charter of the Bosnian King Stjepan Tomašević. Gradina Fortress dominates Tešanj, and is one of the largest and most important complexes of its kind in BiH. The upper part of the fortress was built in the Middle Ages, while the lower section was added during the Ottoman period. Two towers inside the fort are currently used as gallery space, and the upper plateau hosts various events. Below the fortress is the 17th c. Clock Tower (18.5 m). Beginning in 1890, the clock on the tower began to display European time. Prior to that, lunar time 'a la turca' was followed.

Valuable cultural and historical buildings in the town include the Gazi Ferhad-beg Mosque (Ferhadija) and the Eminagića Konak, or residence. The Ferhadija Mosque was built in the middle of the 16th c. by Ferhad-beg, the nephew of the Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. His grave is located in the mosque's courtyard. The Eminagića Konak is the oldest and most beautiful residential building displaying Tešanj's architectural heritage. It belonged to the Eminagić family, who were wealthy landowners and merchants. The Konak was built in the middle of the 19th c., and restored just a few years ago. The building has a basement storeroom, a ground floor used for everyday activities, and an upper floor with bedrooms and reception areas for guests.

The area around Tešanj is rich in numerous mineral water sources. "Oaza" mineral water, which comes from Tešanj, won the gold medal at the Berkeley Springs Mineral Water Contest in the US for its high quality.

The text of this subchapter can be found in the book.

The text of this subchapter can be found in the book.

The text of this subchapter can be found in the book.

The text of this subchapter can be found in the book.

The text of this subchapter can be found in the book.