Kula Husejn Kapetan Gradascevica.

When Husein took over the Gradačac captaincy, he focused most of his attention on administration of internal affairs. It is notable that all of Husein's construction projects were related to the city of Gradačac and its immediate area. During his rule, Gradačac further expanded its status as one of the most prosperous captaincies in Bosnia.
The first and most notable construction was that of the Gradaščević family castle. The fort had existed for decades and was subject to extensive renovations since the time of Mehmed-kapetan in 1765. Husein's father Osman and brother Murat had done some work as well, in 1808 and 1818 to 1819 respectively. However, the exact nature of Husein's contribution to the complex is unknown. The castle's tower has long been associated with Husein but architectural evidence points to the tower existing alongside the rest of the complex from earlier times. It seems likely that Husein was merely responsible for a significant renovation of the tower that lingered in the people's memory.
Husein was certainly responsible for a completely new castle built during his rule. By all accounts, this was a large project, which included the construction of an artificial island surrounded by a moat up to 100 meters wide and of a great depth. The castle was named Čardak and the surrounding village quickly derived its name from it. The walls were of an oval shape, the entire structure being seventeen meters long and eight meters wide. The complex and area also included a mosque, wells, a fishery, and hunting grounds.
Within the Gradačac city walls Husein's most significant contribution to the city was the clock tower (Bosnian: sahat-kula) which was built in 1824. The object's base is 5.5 by 5.5 meters, while the height is 21.50 meters. It was the last object of this type to be built in Bosnia.
Some 40 to 50 meters outside the city walls lies Husein's greatest architectural contribution to Gradačac: the Husejnija mosque. Built in 1826, it features an octagonal dome roof and a particularly high minaret of twenty-five meters. Three smaller octagonal domes are found above the verandah. Islamic decorations and artistry are seen on the door and surrounding wall as well as the interior. The entire complex is surrounded by a small stone wall and gate.
Husein's rule in Gradačac was also notable because of his tolerance towards the Christian populace under his jurisdiction; both Catholic and Orthodox. Though social norms of the time dictated that the Ottoman sultan's official approval was necessary for the construction of any non-Islamic religious buildings, Husein approved the construction of several such buildings without it. A Catholic school was built in the village of Tolisa in 1823, followed by a large church that could hold 1,500 people. Another two Catholic churches were built in the villages of Dubrave and Garevac, while an Orthodox church was built in the hamlet of Obudovac. During Husein's captaincy, the Christians in Gradačac were known to be the most satisfied in Bosnia.
The year 1827 marked Husein's entrance into the greater Bosnian political scene. This was largely due to the impending Russo Turkish War and his role in preparing the defense of the boundaries of the Province of Bosnia. Upon receiving orders from the Bosnian vizier Abdurahim-paša, Husein mobilized the Gradačac populace and strengthened his defenses. During talks held in Sarajevo between the vizier and the country's captains, it is said that Husein stayed the longest to discuss strategy. He was appointed commander of an army that he was to mobilize from the lands between the Drina to the Vrbas. By all accounts, he did a satisfactory job. However, in mid-June 1828, Husein had to rush to Sarajevo with a small accompanying force to get the vizier to safety following a revolt among the troops.
By 1830, Husein had risen to new political heights as he was able to speak on behalf of all (or at least most of) the captains of Bosnia. At that time, he was coordinating the defense of Bosnia against a possible invasion by Serbia, as well as taking it upon himself to address Austrian authorities and warn them against any incursion across the Sava. The authority he wielded in the later years of his captaincy in Gradačac explains the great role he was to have in the years to follow

KULA U ZVORNIKU.

THIS IS THE OLDEST CASTLE IN ZVORNIK. Zvornik is located on the mighty Drina River on the border with Serbia. This town was once a micro-region focal point of industry, economy and culture.

The municipality of Zvornik covers 387 km2 and ranges from 135-600 meters above sea level. It is very rich in natural resources, primarily limestone, wood, and mineral water springs (notably the seven springs of Vitinicki Kiseljak which is one of the many tasty Bosnian mineral waters). The Drina River itself is the greatest attraction in Zvornik. Rafting or canoeing around Zvornik has some really fantastic spots as does fishing in the region south of the high dam. The mild climate and land structure suit the production of berries, plums, cherries, and vegetables. This town has two annual festivals. In July, there is a week-long cultural festival with folk, jazz and rock bands performing on the river bank. In May or June, there is the annual canoeing competition. KKK Drina Zvornik, the canoe club in Divic that organises this competition, also rents canoes and water scooters at reasonable prices.

Kula u Teocaku

Due to its fortress and strategic position, overlooking the Drina and Sava rivers, Bijeljina and Brcko and settlements in Semberija plain, Teocak had played a significant role in the far past. The remains of medieval fortress and related settlements can be seen in Teocak. Below the fortress there are remains of the mosque assumed that was built by the Sultan Faith II, after the 1474 when the Hungarian took over the fortress. The population of area around Teočak was of Christian origin and memory on Hungarian and Roman churches and monastery still live in folk tradition in Teocak. There were two necropolises of stecaks (medieval Bosnian tombstones) in localities of Mramor and Harci and some of the stecaks remain preserved until present.During the medieval times, the situation in the area was very turbulent with frequent changes of rulers: from Hungarian kings and Serbian despots to Bosnian rulers. When first mentioned in medieval period this area called Soli (Salt, or Tuzla) was part of Serbia, ruled by the Serbian king Dragutin since 1284, and his sons Vladislav and Uros as his ancestors.The orthodox Russian nobleman, Rotislav Mihailovic, the son in law of Hungarian king Bela, ruled the area in the period 1255-1264. It is known that the Serbian despots (prince) Stefan Lazarević and Đurađ Branković also ruled the area. The history of the old town of Srebrenica recording 13 different rulers in the period 1411-1463 speaks about utterly unstable and turbulent situation in the area before Turkish invasion.

The similar situation was shared by the most significant medieval fortified town in the Ugljevik region, the town of Teocak. First mention of Teocak in historical records dates back to 1423 related to the Serbian despot Djuradj Brankovic (1427-1456), who took over the town from Hungarians (and got the right tu rule over the western Podrinje ) and started rebuilding and construction works (legends related to reconstruction, forced labor and milk running through the waterpipes still preserved in local tradition). It can be assumed that in this period the small fort was enlarged and emerged into the fortified medieval town of Teocak. It can be assumed that in this period a church was erected in Teocak, keeping the relics of St. Luca the Evangelist for certain period (later on rebuilt and turned into the mosque that still exists and according to some estimations presents the oldest mosque in BiH). After the fall of Bosnia under the Turks in 1463, the Hungarians kept control over the Teocak until 1521 when, together with Srebrenik, it was taken by the Turks (Srebrenicka banovina).

Kula iznad Sarajeva.

Here is one more old castles in Sarajevo. Beautiful place to visit if going there. I will ad more historical information later.

Srebrenik Kula

Srebrenik was first mnentioned 15 February 1333 when the town was under the reign of viceroy Stjepan Kotromanic ( 1314 - 1353 ) Delegration from Dubrovnik's Republic that day came to Srebrenik when eviceroy Stjepan Kotromanic "under the town of Srebrenik" issued a charter to Dubrovnik's Republic in which he comfirmed their possession in Stones cape. Viceroy Stjepan Kotromanic got son so those days were big feasts.

Durig the reing of Tvrtko 1 Bosnia was the peak of its power. After his death Hungary conquered Srebrenik for the firs time but several times Srebrenik managed to became free from Hungary until the secont half of 14th Century. Early in 1463 the Otoman Empire conquered Srebrenik for the first time altogether with 117 Bosnian fortifications but in autuman 1463 Hungary took away Srebrenik again. Two years later Srebrenik became the center of bannat which included folowing towns. Tesanj, Soko Braka ( Brcko ). Waya ( unknown ), Teocak and Gradacac. The bannat was under the rule of Matija Korvin until 1512 when the Ottoman Empire made not numerosu but brave army of capitulate. There is no information about Srebrenik in second half of the 16th century. Srebrenik was included in Gradacac military district in 1701. in 1718 peace was signed in Pozarevac so Srebrenik was near Austrian border. As a border place between two worlds Srebrenik became important again. In 1756 there was army in the town obedient to Gradacac captain. In Austrian report from 1790 Srebrenik was mentioned as an old castle while in 1804 thre were 20 soldiers in the town. In a report from 1833 there were 7 cannons while in 1835 Srebrenik was abandoned. Only few buildings remained in 1850 and among them there was a mosque used for prayers until the second half of 19th century.

Today walls of the old town date from some earlier period ( 18th century ) but the old town Srebrenik shows is old , middle-ages outlines. Today Srebrenik Belongs to the most beautiful and most preserved , middle-aged towns in Bosnai and Herzegovina..