Probably Banja Luka’s most iconic landmark is its Orthodox cathedral, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Construction is relatively recent (1929), but the model is after older, more traditional Orthodox church architecture.

On the outside, it has a tall tower and gold-domed roof, while the inside is amazingly ornate and decorative. Details inside include a painted ceiling, a wealth of gold objects, and a carved wooden altar.

It’s found right in the heart of the city and is a symbol of pride for the inhabitants since it has been a constant feature throughout years of conflict, beginning with the persecution of Serbs during the Second World War.

Address: Trg srpskih vladara 3

This Catholic monastery of the Trappist Order of monks is just outside the city of Banja Luka. It’s the only Trappist monastery in southeastern Europe, and was once the largest monastery of its kind. Today it’s the smallest with only two monks.

It’s from in 1869and came with the arrival of Austro–Hungarian Christians into the region. It was a key symbol of the increasing presence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Bosnia.

Printing presses and cheese

Until the beginning of Communist rule in Yugoslavia the monastery was one of the largest printing presses in the country; now, its main production is of Trappist cheese. The church within the abbey complex is the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the whole monastery is exemplary of Central European architecture from the 19th century.

There has been a fortress of some kind on this spot since the Romans first constructed a building here, although there is evidence that suggests neolithic-era people also inhabited and fortified the area.

The fortress is close to the center of the city, and was an important military fortification as well as a strategic hub during the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman wars. Things to spot within the fortress include a Roman sarcophagus, ancient stone walls, and lovely views of the river from atop the fortifications.

Completed in the 1920s as a palace for the local governor, Banski Dvor is now used as a cultural center that hosts exhibitions, concerts, lectures, and performances, as well as other cultural events.

The building itself is grand, with many of the large rooms embracing classic 1920s Neo-Renaissance style, such as chandeliers and high ceilings. The building is open to explore, even when no current cultural events are occurring. With the establishment of Republika Srpska on January 9, 1992, Banski dvor became the seat of the president.

Address: Trg srpskih vladara 2