Made of stone, light and water, Jajce is a city and municipality located in the central part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the Bosanska Krajina region. It is on the crossroads between Banja Luka, Mrkonjić Grad and Donji Vakuf, on the confluence of the rivers Pliva and Vrbas. Around Jajce you can find the beautiful Great (Veliko) and Small (Malo) Pliva lakes both equipped with water mills, which the local people call «mlinčići». The most recognizable symbol of Jajce is its magnificent 20-meter high waterfall (situated at the place where the river Pliva flows into the river Vrbas). The waterfall is in the heart of the town, making Jajce one of the most unique town in the world.
Jajce was first built in the 14th century and served as the capital of the independent Bosnian kingdom during its time. The town has gates as fortifications, as well as a castle with walls, which lead to the various gates around the town. Skenderbeg Mihajlović besieged Jajce in 1501, but without success because Ivaniš Korvin assisted by Zrinski, Frankopan, Karlović and Cubor defeated him. When the Bosnian kingdom fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1463, Jajce was taken by the Ottomans but was retaken next year by Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus. About 10–20 kilometers from Jajce lies the Komotin Castle and town area which is older but smaller than Jajce. It is believed the town of Jajce was previously Komotin but was moved after the Black Death.
During this period, Bosnian queen Katarina Kosača-Kotromanić restored the Church of Saint Luke in Jajce, today the oldest church in town. Eventually, in 1527, Jajce became the last Bosnian town to fall to Ottoman rule. There are several churches and mosques built in different times during different rules, making Jajce a rather diverse town in this aspect.
The Franciscan monastery of Saint Luke was completed in 1885. Jajce gained prominence during the Second World War because it hosted the second convention of the Anti-Fascist Council of National Liberation of Yugoslavia on 29 November 1943, a meeting that set the foundation for the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia after WWII.
The historical and cultural richness of Jajce and its municipality is attested by the presence of 24 national monuments: the fortification system; “Buri攑s house; orthodox church “Presvete Bogorodice”; “Saint John” church in Podmilačje; the church of “Sv. Marija” with “Sv. Luka”‘s tower bell; women’s mosque; AVNOJ Museum; “Esma Sultanija”‘s mosque; “Kraljev grob” (royal grave) in Zastinje; Jajce, and its ancient district; “Katakombe” and the underground church; “Kapetanovi攑s house; “Kršlak”‘s house; temple of the God “Mithra”; “Musafirhana”; necropolis with “stećci” in Vinac; “Omer-bey”‘s house; the watermills complex on the Pliva’s Lakes; Roman Catholic cemetery; “Sarač” house, the financial building, and the first elementary school; “Sinan-bey”‘s mosque; “Hadžihafizadi攑s fountain; the fortress in Vinac; the fortress of Jajce. Jajce also lies near Pliva Lake and the rivers Pliva and Vrbas flow through the city. Jajce has a rich history and many remains of old times like the St Luke church and the fortress. Jajce was always known for its rich history but it was in the year 2006 that the city was first nominated to be listed as a UNESCO heritage site.
Jajce is situated in the mountains; there is a beautiful countryside near the city, rivers such as the Vrbas and Pliva, lakes like Pliva Lake, which is also a popular destination for the local people and some tourists. This lake is called Brana in the local parlance. Not far from Jajce there are mountains that are over two thousand meters high like Vlasic near the city of Travnik. Travelling through the mountain roads to the city may not sit well with some visitors, because the roads are in poor condition, but the scenery is picturesque.
Fishing is very popular on the Pliva Lake and river. A part of the sixteenth FIPS-Mooches European Fly Fishing Championship was held on the lake.
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