Bosnia and Herzegovina is a beautiful country located in Southeastern Europe. It is home to stunning natural landscapes, a rich cultural heritage, and a fascinating history. The country is full of mysteries just waiting to be uncovered. Here are 57 riddles about Bosnia and Herzegovina along with their answers to test your knowledge about this amazing place.
Geography Riddles
Riddles about Cities and Towns
Q: What is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
A: Sarajevo.
Q: Which city in Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics?
A: Sarajevo.
Q: Home to the famous Old Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is which historic city in Bosnia?
A: Mostar.
Q: One of Bosnia’s largest cities located on the River Bosna is?
A: Zenica.
Q: Which city located in the Herzegovina region was the site of the assassination that triggered World War 1?
A: Sarajevo.
Riddles about Rivers and Lakes
Q: Flowing through Sarajevo, what is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s longest river?
A: The River Bosna.
Q: The largest lake in Bosnia and Herzegovina shared with Montenegro is?
A: Lake Skadar.
Q: Plitvice Lakes National Park located in this river’s valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What is the river’s name?
A: The Korana River.
Q: The Neretva is the largest river in the southern region of Herzegovina. What important commodity was transported on the Neretva River historically?
A: Salt.
Q: Spanning the Una River between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is the town of?
A: Bihac.
Riddles about Mountains and Ranges
Q: Part of the Dinaric Alps, which lofty mountain range runs through Bosnia and Herzegovina?
A: The Dinaric Alps.
Q: At 2,386 meters, Mount Maglic is the highest peak located where in Bosnia?
A: In the Sutjeska National Park.
Q: Near Sarajevo, Trebevic Mountain hosted which sporting event in 1984?
A: The Winter Olympics.
Q: This Bosnian mountain range stretching from Foca to Kalinovik features steep peaks, deep gorges and primeval forests. What is it called?
A: Zelengora.
Q: In the Herzegovina region, Mount Velez rises to 1,339 meters. What famous historic stone bridge is located near Mount Velez?
A: The Old Bridge in Mostar.
History Riddles
Riddles about Historical Events
Q: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 took place in which city, triggering World War 1?
A: Sarajevo.
Q: During the breakup of Yugoslavia, Sarajevo underwent the longest siege of a capital city in modern warfare from 1992 to 1996. How long did the Siege of Sarajevo last?
A: 1,425 days.
Q: In 1995, Serbian forces killed over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys in which town in the worst massacre in Europe since World War 2?
A: Srebrenica.
Q: Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic, who served as Grand Vizier to three sultans, was born in 1505 in which Bosnian town?
A: Sokolovic.
Q: The Austro-Hungarian heir to the throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, leading to World War 1. What was the name of his assassin?
A: Gavrilo Princip.
Riddles about Historical Sites
Q: Built in 1566 by the Ottomans, the iconic bridge in Mostar bombed during the Bosnian War was rebuilt in 2004 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What is the bridge’s name?
A: Stari Most (Old Bridge).
Q: Built from 1557 to 1566, what Ottoman-era bridge located in Višegrad is featured in Ivo Andrić’s novel The Bridge on the Drina?
A: Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge.
Q: Located in Jajce, this majestic 15 meter high waterfall pours from a natural rock wall overhanging a wide pool. What is it called?
A: Pliva Waterfall.
Q: Perched on a steep cliff overlooking the Neretva River, this medieval fortress appearing on the Bosnian convertible mark bill is a famous symbol of Herzegovina. What is it called?
A: Počitelj Castle.
Q: Built in 1697, Husein Captain’s Mosque in Mostar features a picturesque minaret overlooking what important landmark?
A: The Old Bridge.
Riddles about Historical Figures
Q: Leader of the Ottoman Empire from 1451 to 1481 who conquered and unified Bosnia.
A: Mehmed the Conqueror.
Q: Born in 1845 in Travnik, who was the only female Nobel laureate from Yugoslavia winning the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903?
A: Mileva Marić.
Q: Gazi Husrev-beg, who ruled Bosnia from 1521 to 1541, is buried in a mosque complex bearing his name located in which city?
A: Sarajevo.
Q: Which national hero led guerrilla resistance against the Ottomans in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 19th century?
A: Husein Gradaščević.
Q: Josip Broz Tito led this socialist state from 1943 to 1980 following World War 2. What was the state called?
A: Yugoslavia.
Culture Riddles
Riddles about Food and Drink
Q: Cevapi, minced meat sausages, and Burek, filo pastry stuffed with meat and cheese, are national dishes originating from which region?
A: Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Q: What sweet syrup-soaked fried dough balls are a popular Bosnian dessert?
A: Lokum or Fritule.
Q: The process of making this Bosnian coffee involves boiling finely ground coffee beans in a cezve. What is it called?
A: Bosnian coffee.
Q: Coming from the Herzegovina region, which plum brandy is a famous Bosnian liqueur?
A: Slijivovica.
Q: Named after a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, what type of semi-hard cow’s milk cheese is popular in Balkan cuisine?
A: Travnik Cheese.
Riddles about Religions
Q: With followers primarily located in the Bosniak community, what is the largest Islamic sect in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
A: Sunni Islam.
Q: Meaning “grandfather”, which term refers to the leader of the Islamic community in Bosnia?
A: Reis-ul-ulema.
Q: Located in Sarajevo, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque is the largest of its kind in the country. When was it built?
A: 1530.
Q: Built in 1873, Sarajevo Cathedral is the largest cathedral belonging to which Christian denomination?
A: Roman Catholic Church.
Q: Translating to the Church of the Holy Transfiguration, where is the central church of the Serbian Orthodox Church located in Sarajevo?
A: Sarajevo Old Orthodox Church.
Riddles about the Arts
Q: Published in 1945, The Bridge on the Drina chronicles the history of Mehmed Pasha Sokolović Bridge and is a famous work by which Bosnian author?
A: Ivo Andrić.
Q: Sarajevo Film Festival, first held in 1995 during the Bosnian War, is the largest film festival in?
A: Southeastern Europe.
Q: Famous for his pop-art style and visual commentary on the Bosnian War is which contemporary painter from Sarajevo?
A: Danijel Ozmo.
Q: Which Bosnian-American writer penned The Fortress of Solitude and Chronic City?
A: Jonathan Safran Foer.
Q: Directed by Danis Tanović, which Bosnian War film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2001?
A: No Man’s Land.
Riddles about Symbols
Q: Adopted in 1998, the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina features a wide medium blue vertical band framed on either side by yellow triangles. What shape is created where the corners of the triangles meet on the flag?
A: Three points forming the shape of triangle, meant to symbolize the three major ethnic groups in Bosnia – Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs.
Q: First introduced in 1998, what shape is found on the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
A: Triangle.
Q: Symbolizing rebirth and national pride, the lilium bosniacum flower is a national symbol of which ethnic group?
A: Bosniaks.
Q: Representing Herzegovina, the Herzegovina Lily appears on the coat of arms of which canton?
A: Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.
Q: Depicting a mosque, Catholic and Orthodox churches, minarets and steeples, what does the Sarajevo coat of arms represent?
A: The ethnic and religious diversity of Sarajevo.
Geography Trivia
Here are some interesting geographical facts about Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in both Southeastern and Central Europe.
- The country has a coastline about 20 kilometres long bordering the Adriatic Sea.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina is bordered by Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro.
- Major cities include Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar, Bijeljina, and Zenica.
- The Dinaric Alps, a mountain range in the Dinaric Mountains, run through most of the country.
- The country’s highest peak is Mount Maglić at 2,386 metres.
- Major rivers include the Bosna, Una, Sana, Vrbas, Sava, and Drina Rivers.
- The largest lake is Lake Buško.
- Noted natural regions are the Herzegovina region and the Bosnian Krajina.
- Known for its natural beauty, Durmitor National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Bosnia has numerous famous medieval fortresses and castles.
History Trivia
Here are some fascinating historical facts about Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Some of the earliest Neolithic cultures in Europe existed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- In the Roman era, Bosnia was part of the province of Illyricum.
- Medieval Bosnia existed as an independent kingdom from the 1200s to 1463.
- The Ottoman Empire conquered Bosnia in 1463 and ruled for over 400 years until 1878.
- Bosnia was occupied by Austria-Hungary from 1878 until 1918.
- After World War 1, Bosnia became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1918.
- Bosnia was incorporated into Yugoslavia after World War 2 led by Josip Broz Tito.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1992.
- The Bosnian War took place from 1992 to 1995 following independence.
- The 1995 Srebrenica massacre was the worst atrocity in Europe since World War 2.
- The Dayton Peace Agreement ended the Bosnian War in 1995.
Cultural Trivia
Here are some fascinating cultural facts about Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Bosnia has a rich literary history with authors like Ivo Andrić, Meša Selimović, and Aleksandar Hemon.
- Sevdah is a traditional Bosnian music genre influenced by Ottoman and Eastern European traditions.
- Folk dances like the Kolo are an important part of Bosnian culture.
- The filming location for the 1914 Sarajevo assassination, sparking World War 1, is marked by plaque.
- The 1984 Winter Olympics took place in Sarajevo.
- Cevapi grilled meat, Burek pastries, Sogan Dolma stuffed onions, and Bosanski Lonac are iconic cuisine.
- Major religions are Islam, Serbian Orthodoxy, and Roman Catholicism.
- Bosnia has many well-preserved Ottoman-era mosques, bridges, and fortresses.
- The country is home to remnants of Roman, Illyrian, and medieval Christian artifacts and architecture.
- Sarajevo Film Festival is one of the most prestigious in Southeastern Europe.
Conclusion
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a captivating country with a rich culture, breathtaking natural landscapes, and a complex history. These 57 riddles provide a glimpse into the mysteries and fascinating highlights of Bosnia and Herzegovina. From important historical events like World War 1’s triggering assassination to dazzling geography like the Dinaric Alps, this country is full of surprises waiting to be explored. Learning more about Bosnia and Herzegovina through intriguing riddles is an engaging way to discover more about this dynamic country in Southeastern Europe.
