Stanisici, Republic of Srpska

Stanisici is an ethno village located outside the town of Bijeljina in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It reminds me more of a theme park, something like Disneyland for residents of the country and foreign tourists who want to try a different side of classic village tourism. I say that because it is not a village in the traditional sense. But it is undoubtedly beautiful, and the idea behind it is very entrepreneurial.

By Marco Veckov

Back in 2003, a man’s vision came to life in the north of the Republic of Srpska. His name was Boris Stanisic, a local who bought cottages and other facilities and decided to bring this ethno village to life. 

This welcoming and small village offers a traditional flair and a family atmosphere, which appeals to visitors young and old. And how could it not? Ethno Village Stanisic is a one-of-a-kind tourist destination. Man-made and fairy-tale-inspired, this village has everything a village can offer, perfectly arranged in a small space surrounding a relaxing and inspiring setting.

This ethno village is a theme park inspired by the style of living in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is dedicated to the celebration of traditional Serbian culture, cuisine and customs.

The village is located on an artificial pond, where three churches are built in stone. Across the pond is a beautiful bridge built in medieval architectural style.

The village has a modern Restaurant Ellas, a tavern named Vasojevici, and a konoba – a traditional restaurant in the style of a 19th century pub. There is also a wellness and spa center, Leonidas, where guests can feel comfortable and relax. For the youngest visitors, there is a place to play and have fun in the theme park on the grounds of the village. It is the biggest place of its kind near the city of Bijeljina. It features trampolines, a children’s castle, small wooden houses and swings. Also, over the entire premise, there is a train, which takes the tourists through the village for a round of sightseeing.

This village is really breathtaking, even though I only enjoyed it for a few hours before moving on with my trip.

My journey then took me to the nearby Church of St. Paraskeva, a monumental Orthodox church built partly in Serbian style and partly in Russian style. Its domes are reminiscent of Russian churches, while the buildings are in Serbian or, more precisely, Rascian architectural style. When I entered the place, I was informed that taking pictures is not allowed, which I found very unfortunate as the interior of the church matches the exterior. 

I wanted to end this perfect short trip with a visit to the town of Bijeljina, a town with about 100,000 inhabitants. The architecture of the town is a mixture of the eras of the Ottoman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the later Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Of course, there are remnants of the latter periods, but also modern buildings, cafés, stores and restaurants. It is a very lively city.

Since I was exhausted from walking, I sat down in one of the cafés in town to have a cup of coffee. I sat quite relaxed and watched the people passing by. There is not much greenery in the city, which would be appreciated. All in all, it’s a beautiful place that resonates with you long after you leave.

Things to do in Stanisici:

1. Children’s amusement park

2. Enjoy a coffee at Konoba Stanisici (a traditional Serbian restaurant) 

3. Relax at the spa center Leonidas

4. Visit the nearby Church of St. Paraskeva

5. Visit the town of Bijeljina

6. Have lunch at Tavern Vasojevici

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