KISELJAK
Kiseljak Municipality is located in the central part of BiH, only 35 km from
Sarajevo, 18 km from Fojnica and 14 km from Visoko. It is spread over the area
of 475 km2. Kiseljak valley, where the town of Kiseljak is located, spreads from
Paleška ćuprija in the south to Gromiljak in the north and is surrounded by
Jasikovica, Graščica, Berberuša and other hills from 700 to 1200 meters above
the sea level. Lepenica River, flowing through Kiseljak and accepting
tributaries of Kreščevica and Rosiljski potok, joins Fojnica River at the
south-eastern side of the town.
Present day Kiseljak is relatively young settlement. After World War II it had
grown into a somewhat more organized town and became the centre of a larger
region.
Kiseljak is surrounded by hills covered with forest vegetation. The climate
is continental. Besides light breezes there are no strong winds in Kiseljak,
thus making summer stays very pleasant. Kiseljak is not only known as a trade
centre. It also used to be an important health resort due to numerous mineral
water (kiseljak) springs located along the entire valley. These springs provided
basis for the development of Kiseljak as a health resort, particularly after the
arrival of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Kiseljak has a long tradition in this
aspect with first written recordings dating back to the 16th century. Kiseljak
spa resort has 4 springs, with the largest one having capacity of 100 L in 42
sec. In its composition this water is carbonate, alkalic and sulphuric, with
temperature of 12,1 oC.
There is also a mineral water spring which, in its composition, is the most
similar to the one from Karlsbader. Kiseljak mineral water has 6 grams of
Glauber salt per 1 L, which speaks enough about its natural value and quality.
This spring is also the basis of “Sarajevski kiseljak”, a successful company
which fills and distributes mineral water. Mineral water from Kiseljak has
healing properties and is pleasant to drink. It can be consumed as normal water
or mixed with wine and fruit syrups. In addition to mineral water, Kiseljak is
also famous for its bread which is served with sour cream also from Kiseljak, as
confirmed by numerous traditional songs.
Kiseljak area was inhabited during the Roman Empire, with numerous material
evidence from this period. Kiseljak used to be part of the medieval parish of
Lepenica, while the name Kiseljak was first mentioned in the documents from the
16th century.
The municipality spreads longitudinally, along the geological fault Blažuj –
Busovača with numerous springs located along. These natural resources,
geographical location, vicinity of other centres, developed communication and
communal infrastructure make a good quality basis for the development of tourism
and economy in general. In addition to Dalmacija Hotel, there are other
tourism-related objects built in Kiseljak. Recent strong and dynamic development
of tourism and economy in Kiseljak is mainly due to private initiatives and
entrepreneur spirit of Kiseljak people.
Kiseljak has long been known as a trade centre and remains so. Great number
of private trade businesses and several traditionally strong companies influence
the dynamics of Kiseljak’s development. Kiseljak is intensely recovering from
war and expanding. It is set to become one of the more prosperous centres of the
Central Bosnia.
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