Nature was very generous to Herzegovina. This area is considered to have the best climate and environmental conditions in Balkan. Mountains, forests, abundance of flora and fauna, rivers and lakes leave every visitor of Herzegovina breathless.
The variety of natural resources and the abundance of cultural heritage of Herzegovina have replenished local people with hospitality and kindness. According to tradition, the guest is here met with rich offer of healthy and natural food. Herzegovinians are nice and caring hosts. As a welcoming sign, the gates are always wide open. Old houses are mostly built from stone, and in the middle of the dining area there used to be a fireplace with chains above. Some houses had one more fireplace which was slightly more raised and it was used for baking bread. This was also the location for smoking meat. In the old times families used to dine on low tables, sitting on tripods or chairs with carved half rounded backs.
The most distinctive feature of this region is traditional cuisine which matches the climate characteristics of the area and uses everything that nature offers. All of this is confirmed by vast spaces covered with rich pastures, various medical herbs, numerous lakes, forests, rivers and springs, which is the proof of a healthy environment. These conditions also favor cattle breeding, and their meat and milk are later used for well-known specialties. Because of the high environment pollution today, healthy food is very important for mankind. The production of meat, milk, kaymak, and cheese is this area is based on feeding the cattle with natural food, without the addition of mineral fertilizers. The production is mostly done in private households. The agriculture production is done under natural conditions, irrigation is done from spring water, and everything is fertilized strictly naturally.
Each year Trebinje is advancing in tourism, so the accommodation capacity is matching. Trebinje today has many types of accommodation – hotels, motels, villas, guesthouses, camps, private accommodation…
Trebinje is first mentioned in Constantine VI Porphyrogennetos’ records in 10th century as Travunia. During that time, Trebinje was on the caravan road that lead from Kotor and Dubrovnik to Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro. The oldest material evidence with ‘Trebinje’ inscription was carved on county ruler Grd’s tombstone from the second part of 12th century, which was found in the part of the city called Police.
First urban outlines of Trebinje were formed in The Middle Ages. Originally, Trebinje was a part of the then Byzantine archontia (province) and after that all the way to 14thcentury it was the center of Travunia, a state that was a part of the kingdom of Nemanjići. Trebinje area was developing under a strong influence of Byzantine empire during the Middle Ages, and in 15th century, after the period of long independence, it fell under the Ottoman reign which lasted for many centuries. After that it was a part of Austro-Hungarian empire until 1918. For almost 200 years in The Middle Ages Trebinje was ruled by Nemanjić dynasty and after that by Tvrtko Kotromanić. From 1337 to 1466 (the fall under Turkish reign) Trebinje was a part of Bosnian banate (territory subdivision) ruled by the Kosača family. Turkish reign lasted from 1446 to 1878.
Each of these epochs and rules left its mark and branded local culture, both spiritually and materially.
