Vareš

Infobox Settlement
official_name = PAGENAME

---

settlement_type =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = BIH
timezone=CET
utc_offset=+1
map_caption =Location of PAGENAME within Bosnia and Herzegovina.
timezone_DST=CEST
utc_offset_DST=+2
latNS=N
longEW=E
leader_title=Municipality president
native_name =Вареш
image_shield = Vareš.gif
image_coat_of_arms_size = 100px
Municipality coat of arms


leader_name = Hamdo Fatić (SDP)|area_total_km2 =
population_total = 13293|population_footnotes=
population_as_of=2001 census
population_density_km2 =
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location of Vareš
pushpin_mapsize =
latd = 44
latm= 10
longd= 18
longm= 20
area_code = +387 32
parts =
website = http://www.vares.info

Vareš is a town and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, famous for the local mining activities and production of iron. It is part of the Zenica-Doboj Canton and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

About Vareš

Vareš is a mountainous town located 45 km from Sarajevo in the valley of the small Stavnja River 828 m above sea level surrounded by the massive high Kapija, Stijene, Zvijezda and Perun Mountains. The town is rich with archeological findings from different epochs – on several surrounding locations are found remains of prehistorical period, such as copper artifacts in Brgula.

In the town center itself, there is an old stone bridge that resembles to the majority of one arched bridges from Ottoman period. This bridge is considered to be similar by the building method to the Old bridge in Mostar.

Demographics

1971

23.523 total
* Croats - 11.134 (47,33%)
* Muslimans - 6.631 (28,18%)
* Serbs - 5.166 (21,96%)
* Yugoslavs - 307 (1,30%)
* Others - 285 (1,23%)

1991

22.203 total
* Croats - 9.016 (40,60%)
* Bosniaks - 6.714 (30,23%)
* Serbs - 3.644 (16,41%)
* Yugoslavs - 2.071 (9,32%)
* Others - 758 (3,44%)

1991

In the 1991 census, the municipality of Vareš had 22,203 residents: 9,016 Croats (40.60%), 6,714 Bosniaks (30.23%), 3,644 Serbs (16.41%), 2,071 Yugoslavs (9.32%) and 758 others and unknown (3.44%).

Town of Vareš:

total: 5,888

* Croats - 3,035 (51.54%)
* Muslims by nationality - 1,068 (18.13%)
* Serbs - 627 (10,64%)
* Yugoslavs - 859 (14.58%)
* others and unknown - 299 (5.07%)

2001

Due to War, the population of the area had been reduced to 13,293 residents in the 2001 estimation. Ethnically, the municipality of Vareš had 9,700 Bosniaks (73.0%), 3,500 Croats (26.3%), 56 Serbs (0.4%), and 37 others (0.3%).

2005

In 2005, population of the municipality included 63% Bosniaks and 37% Croats.

History

The town of Vareš has a rich history. There are remainings of metallurgical activities dating back to Bronze age. Also during Roman era the town was famous for its miners and smiths.

During middle ages the Bosnian kings had their center in close proximity of the modern city of Vareš. Bosnia's greatest king, Tvrtko, considered the Vareš' village Duboštica for the center of his kingdom, since it was the mining center of his country.

The remainings of the medieval royal city and castel Bobovac were recently proclaimed as national monuments, as was the Catholic church of St. Michael in the town of Vareš. Some of the oldest preserved Catholic churches in Bosnia can be found in the town.

The town was earlier dominated by Catholic (i.e. Croat or Bosnian-Croat) population. The church books are among the oldest preserved in Bosnia and date back to 1643.

During the Austrian rule of Bosnia-Herzegovina the ironworks of Vareš were an important exporter of various iron products to the rest of the Habsburg empire.

Tourism

The Vareš region also has possibilities for winter tourism development. Due to its position and elevation snow stays longer than in other regions, and the beautiful areas surrounding it are really good for skiing and skating. The mountain resort Doli is located on Zvijezda Mountain.

Places in the municipality

Bijelo Borje, Blaža, Borovica Donja, Borovica Gornja, Borovičke Njive, Brda, Brezik, Brgule, Budoželje, Čamovine, Ćeće, Dabravine, Daštansko, Debela Međa, Diknjići, Dragovići, Draževići, Duboštica, Hodžići, Ivančevo, Javornik, Kadarići, Karići, Kokoščići, Kolovići, Kopališta, Kopijari, Krčevine, Kunosići, Letevci, Ligatići, Luke, Ljepovići, Mijakovići, Mir, Mižnovići, Mlakve, Naseoci, Neprivaj, Očevlje Donje, Očevlje Gornje, Okruglica, Orah, Osoje, Osredak, Ostrlja, Pajtov Han, Pajtovići, Planinica, Pobilje, Podjavor, Pogar, Položac, Poljanice, Pomenići, Pržići, Pržići Kolonija, Radonjići, Radoševići, Ravne, Rokoč, Samari, Semizova Ponikva, Seoci, Sjenokos, Slavin, Sršljenci, Strica, Striježevo, Stupni Do, Šikulje, Tisovci, Toljenak, Tribija, Vareš, Vareš Majdan, Vijaka Donja, Vijaka Gornja, Višnjići, Zabrezje, Zaruđe, Zubeta, Zvijezda, Žalja i Žižci.

External links

*http://www.vares.pp.se/
*http://www.vares-x.com/
* [http://www.vares.pp.se/bobovac/bobindex.htm Web magazine with current information on the city - in Croatian)]
*http://www.zupavares.com/
*http://www.vares.info/