What is the longest river in Bosnia and Herzegovina? A natural border has been significant for centuries!

It is known that all the rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot be counted on the fingers. There are so many of them that there is no official accurate data on their number anywhere, but according to stories, there are more than 280 of them. However, it is known that one river is the longest, and that is the Drina River, a beauty that has always served as a natural border, as today between states, as well as between kingdoms.

Drina river near Zvornik, Photo: Dudlajzov, Depositphotos

The Drina River stretches for about 346 kilometers, while the Sava, for example, reaches 302 kilometers in the part that flows on the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Croatia. Originating at the confluence of the Tara in Piva in Montenegro, the Drina River meanders through beautiful landscapes before flowing into the Sava River near Bosanska Rača.

It forms a large part of the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, which makes it not only a natural wonder but also a significant geographical feature.

Drina River, Photo: jahmaica, Depositphotos

In addition to being unique in every way, the Drina River is also a real historical gem. It is this river that is mentioned in the novel “The Bridge on the Drina” by Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić, who wrote about one of the most significant bridges remaining from the time of the Ottoman Empire, the Mehmed-paša Sokolović bridge located in Višegrad, which also ended up on the list due to its importance UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

There are also around 18 newer bridges on the Drina.

Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, Photo: Lazar Krstić

The Drina is also known for its beauty, which is why one of the deepest canyons in Europe is located on it, with some parts reaching up to 1000 meters.

It is loved among nature lovers because of the forest that surrounds it and its turquoise color. It is also suitable for adventurers because it offers opportunities for rafting, kayaking, and fishing. It is also a very important habitat for numerous species of birds and fish.

Drina River, Photo: Violin, Depositphotos

On the river not far from Srebrenica is the artificial lake Perućac, which offers relief from the heat in the summer months. It was created by the construction of a dam for the needs of the Bajina Bašta hydroelectric power plant. The Pančićeva regatta in August and the Drina regatta in July, which has been held in Bajina Bašta for more than 30 years, are held on this stretch.

Combining natural beauty, historical and cultural significance, and adventure-recreational character, the Drina can rightly be called the pearl of Bosnia and Herzegovina because it truly offers something for everyone.