LONG-AWAITED RECONSTRUCTION OF MEDIEVAL BOSNIAN ROYAL TOWN OF VISOKI IS FINALLY IN PROGRESS

VISOKO, Bosnia (September 24,2007) - The long-awaited reconstruction of the Old Bosnian royal town of Visoki is finally in progress.

"I'm really happy that the works started, because my wish is that Visoko get its own "Vranduk", or a castle like the people have in Doboj. I don't know how much time will be necessary, what the costs will be, but if the development of the research program respects our expectations, it will become a very important archaeological project. Next year, we expect the help and support from cantonal and/or other institutions too. The medieval Bosnian royal town Visoki was never systematically researched, and is of crucial importance for the history of Bosnia, and it must be said, it should be remembered that the Bosnian royal town of Visoki is older than the Bosnian royal town of Bobovac."said Prof. Senad Hodovic, the Director of the Homeland Museum in Visoko.

"A great number of people is involved into efforts and preparation works to allow multiple research at more Bosnian national monuments at the same time. In my humbleness, my coworkers and the people of the municipal services do know very well how much efforts were necessary in order to realize this aim. But I would like to underline the importance of the ongoing contemporaneous research on different national monuments in Visoko," he said.

"First of all, the reconstruction works of the mosque of Thaban is continuing already more then a year, the cesspol is completed, the work on the fountain is underway. I believe, once the paving and decoration works are completed, it will be a beautiful object," Hodovic added.

"Also, the research project in Okolosite is going on for the 6th straight year. This year, the experts from the Bosnian National Museum (Zemaljski Muzej) are colaborating together with the experts of the German archaeological Institute. The Homeland Museum from Visoko is not involved into this project because of the lack in personell," he said.

"But, one of the most important events is the new beginning of the research campaign at the medieval Bosnian royal town of Visoki. The Bosnian public is well informed about the project, and everything was arranged through transparent manner. 50.000 Bosnian Marks were approved for the probe and elaboration works by the Bosnian Minsitry Of Culture & Sports, 200.000 Bosnian Marks were dedicated to the project by the Ministry of Public Works, which is also responsible for the protection of the Bosnian national monuments, and for the preservation of the archaeological location. the Homeland Museum from Visoko will organize a contract competition and those institutions who will satisfy the specific requests may participate in it," Hodovic said.

Ten days ago, the works on the locality of the old Bosnian royal town of Visoki intensified. Mrs. Lidija Pekeza leads the research team composed by the representatives of the Bosnian Commission To Preserve National Monuments, the experts from the Bosnian National Museum and representatives of the Homeland Museum from Visoko.

A week ago started the cleaning operations of the archaeological location and acquisition of the necessary material. The team of experts and workers composed by a group of fifteen people went to the location and the official research project of the medieval Bosnian royal town of Visoki has officially begun. The preliminary research will endure for about fifteen days. Later, the group of experts will prepare an elaboration for the archaeological field survey, for the analysises of the artifacts found during the probe excavations in 1976, as well for the accidentally discovered items during the 1992-1995 Serbian,Montenegrin and Croatian aggressions against Bosnia.The work done will form the basis for the future projects.

The Old Town of Visoki was a famous medieval Bosnian royal town and castle during the fourteenth century.It is located in the central Bosnian town of Visoko. The first recorded mention of the town was on September 1st, 1355, even though many believe that the town was established years earlier.

The main function of the fortress of Visoki was to serve as a defensive outpost. However, it is also the location where many important historic documents of the medieval Bosnian Kingdom were written and signed. The last important document signed there was by the Bosnian Prince Tvrtko Borovinic in 1436.