RESIDENTIAL-BUILDING COMPLEX BEGOVINA
THE SUPREME EXPRESSION OF ISLAMIC CULTURE OF LIVING IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Author: Prof. Aida Abadžić-Hodžić, PhD, Faculty of Philosophy of University of Sarajevo • Photo & video: Mirza Hasanefendić
Begovina is a unique complex which testifies of the highest achievements in the culture of living of Muslim population in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as of the continuity of urban life of the Stolac area.
It is an complex of houses and farm buildings enclosed with a wall and linked with inner courtyards, which belongs to a respectable Herzegovinian family, the Rizvanbegovićs. The complex is situated in the north part of the town of Stolac, on the left bank of the Bregava river. The entire unit is timidly, harmoniously and with measure, with its dimensions, position and choice of local materials, harmonized and intertwined with the nature surrounding it. The complex is very carefully privately located, separated from the town. The north part of the town was selected because glaring Herzegovinian heats were taken into account, and the river Bregava, the sleeves and canals of which pulsate through the entire inner space, refines it with its freshness and clarity. The houses descend to the river itself through inner courtyards to spaces of shade and shelter, into the experience of perfect beauty and the joy of living. A particular charm to the whole complex is provided by inner courtyards covered with cobble and flowers, which offer a gradual transition from the exterior to interior, intimate spaces.
One part of the complex consists of family houses, while the other part was originally an inn where visitors and travelers could stay overnight free of charge. The complex also used to encompass many business facilities necessary for the life of the family, and a school (maktab) for children of the Rizvanbegović family.
The whole complex began to be built in the 18th century, and reached its final form in the 1930s. In the following years it was carefully restored to preserve its authenticity, and the latest restoration was done in 1990.
This best preserved and the most significant monument of residential architecture in Bosnia and Herzegovina was devastated in a barbaric burning in July 1993 and has so far been partly renewed. At the session held from 27 May to 2 June 2008, the Commission to Preserve National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued the decision on designating the building residential complex Bregovina in Stolac as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It meant that, in the first zone of protection, competent ministries and offices for the protection of heritage were bound to restore, in their original form, all the facilities of the Bregovina unrestored so far “using the original or similar materials and original methods of building to the greatest extent possible, based on the documentation about earlier appearance of the buildings” (Official Gaztte of BiH, 89/09).
Design of the interior, where every room in every house in the Begovina, regardless of the number of rooms, had its bathroom additionally proves the highest level of the culture of living. The rooms are furnished with characteristic built-in. Multipurpose closets – musandaras, richly woven rugs and, as a rule, had a mihrab (a sign of direction toward Mecca) and richly wood-carved ceilings, shelves and sofas covered with golden needlework and weave.
Although it is a private property, the door of Begovina are open to all well-meaning people. In the harmony and beauty of this building complex they can, in the most direct way, learn about the tradition of Islamic culture of living in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which here pulsates vividly, authentically and graciously.
References:
Rizvanbegović, Fahrudin (1999), Begovina, Stolac, Ministarstvo obrazovanja, nauke, kulture i sporta Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine.
Begovina, graditeljska stambena cjelina, „Službeni glasnik BiH“ (Official Gazette of BiH), no. 89/09.
