Kakanj
Kakanj is an industrial city and a municipality in central Bosnia, located north of Visoko and southeast of Zenica. It was built between the hills on either side of the Zgošća river. It is administratively part of the Zenica-Doboj Canton of the Federation.
In the census of 1991, Kakanj municipality had 55,857 residents, of which 54.51% Bosniaks, 29.76% Croats, 8.84% Serbs, 4.53% Yugoslavs and 2.36% others. The city of Kakanj itself had 12,016 inhabitants.
The city is home to the football club FK Rudar Kakanj.
History
Kakanj was founded in 1900 under Austro-Hungarian rule around a developing coal mine, which began production in 1902. In the next hundred years, Kakanj developed organically without any urban planning, initially around the coalmine, and later along the banks of the Zgošća and Bosna rivers.
In contrast to the city, other settlements in the region are very ancient. They are claimed to be historical landmarks of the early Bosnian state. Kraljeva Sutjeska, a Franciscan monastery, is of particular historical note. Near the monastery is Bobovac, scene of the last stand of the last Bosnian Queen, Catherine, and medieval residence of Bosnian kings. In Kraljeva Sutjeska is one of the oldest mosques in Bosnia, built by order of Sultan Medmed II the Victorious during his expedition to Bosnia and conquest of Bobovac. The Kakanj area enjoyed a renaissance during the rule of the Kotromanic dynasty.
One of the most beautiful tombs ever found in Bosnia, with a carving of a hunting Cavalier, was found in Kakanj; it is currently displayed in the botanic garden of The State Museum in Sarajevo.
Neolithic artifacts have been found in Obre, a nearby village.
External links
Municipalities/Cities of the Zenica-Doboj Canton | ||
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