The "Franciscana" bicycle path is of thematic type, conceived as a path that connects Franciscan religious buildings and museums in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Franciscana is a unique cycling route that takes you through the Franciscan monasteries in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the cultural and historical heritage associated with them. Franciscans have been present in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dalmatia and Slavonia since the 12th century. In addition to pastoral care, the Franciscans spread education and culture and were the only teachers and originators of the first literary and scientific works and guardians of cultural and historical heritage. Franciscana introduces you to the world of the Franciscan order and the activities of the Franciscans in Bosnia and Herzegovina as guardians of cultural and historical heritage.
Due to its length and weight, it is recommended that this section be divided into several days, i.e. that users ride the 800 km long section during a multi-day trip, with the recommendation of sleeping in accommodation facilities of Franciscan monasteries where possible or in accommodation facilities that have the "Bike Friendly" certificate Standard", and taste the local cuisine offered by catering establishments located along the Franciscana trail.
PROVINCES THROUGH WHICH THE TRAIL PASSES
The longest road path in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its length of 800 km, passes through the entire Franciscan Province of Herzegovina and a part of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena with the aim of expanding it to later include the entire Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena, and further to the Republic of Croatia and Montenegro.
SHORT INFO DESCRIPTION OF THE TRAIL
Your excursion begins in Široki Brijeg, leading you through local villages along the Mostar mud all the way to the City of Mostar, which is the largest and most unified city in Herzegovina. There you will meet the beautifully decorated Franciscan monastery (Church of St. Peter and Paul) in Mostar, with the largest bell tower in this region. You continue your journey along the section of the "Ćirane pruga" trail, i.e. along the beautiful landscapes of the Neretva River, rural villages and along a path with extremely low traffic density, so you will really enjoy cycling.
You will cycle along the "Ćiro Trail" all the way to the village of Šurmanci, from where you continue uphill towards Medjugorje (the sanctuary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary), and further towards Ljubuški to beautiful natural and historical sites, such as Kravice Waterfall, Koćuša Waterfall or the church/museum on Humac, which is also and the oldest museum in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is important to emphasize that you are not in the Herzegovina-Neretva County, but by entering the Ljubuški municipality, you have entered the West Herzegovina County, through which you drive further from the Koćuša waterfall towards Drinovci, where you must visit Peć Mlini, the location where the adventure park is located .
From Drinovci, you continue your journey towards Sovići, Grude, and further towards Posušje, where, leaving Posušje, you enter the Herceg-Bosnian county and drive further towards Tomislavgrad. Here, it is important to emphasize that you are driving through the beautiful regions of Herceg-Bosnia County, and along Buško Blato you continue your journey towards the town of Livno and further towards Šuica, where you turn towards Rama and the beautiful Ram Lake, where we consider a visit to the Franciscan Monastery of Rama on Šćit as a must.
From Rama, you continue your journey by climbing towards Jablanica, from where you will climb to Blidinje, i.e. Blidinje Nature Park and Blidinje Lake. Entering the Blidinje Nature Park will literally take your breath away with its beauty, and it is located in the area of the high mountains of the central Dinarides, and includes the area of the Čvrsnica and Vran mountain massifs. The Blidinje Nature Park is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it covers an area of 358 km2 at the foot of the Čvrsnica and Vrana mountains. Here, we consider local cuisine tastings, as well as a tour of Masna Luka and the church of St. Elijah in Masna Luka, to be unavoidable.
After Blidinje, there is a descent towards Rakitno, Posušje, and further via Vranić towards the town of Široki Brijeg, which is also the end of your journey. On your trip, you will visit several religious buildings and museums, such as: the Franciscan Monastery on Široki Brijeg, the Franciscan Monastery of St. Peter and Paul in Mostar, the Cathedral in Mostar, the Karađoz-beg Mosque in Mostar, the Monastery in Žitomislići, the Church of Merciful Jesus in Šurmanci, Parish Church of St. Jacob in Medjugorje, the Franciscan monastery on Humac in Ljubuški, the church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Tihaljina, the church of St. Michael the Archangel in Drinovci, the church and Brotherhood of St. Stephen the First Martyr in Gorica, the church of St. Katarina in Grude, the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Posušje, the Franciscan monastery in Tomislavgrad, the Carmel of St. Elijah on Lake Buško, the Franciscan museum and gallery of Gorica in Livno, and the church of St. Peter and Paul in Livno, the Franciscan monastery of Rama on Šćit and the church of St. .Ilije in Masna Luka, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ukoplje, the Franciscan monastery and the church of St. Francis of Assisi in Guča Gora, the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Fojnica, the Franciscan Monastery of St. Katarine Kreševo, Church of St. Michael's Church in Vares and the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Olovo.
