Dervish House, Blagaj

Blagaj is one of the most valuable structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Blagaj reached its peak of development in the 15th and 16th centuries, building in stone also reached its greatest extent. The first stone-built houses were the privilege of the wealthier class, but later, and lower-class families are also built sizeable stone houses and summer residences in large numbers.

Blagaj's signature attraction is this pretty half-timbered Dervish House standing beside the green Buna River not far from the centre of Blagaj. Upstairs the Tekija's wobbly wooden interior has some attractive woodwork and a fine ceiling in the Firdevs room. The musafirhana (guest house) is tucked into the natural surroundings, constituting a single entity with the cliffs, source of the  Buna river and mills. 

The musafirhana was built before 1664, and rebuilt in 1851. The building was subsequently repaired on several occasions. The ensemble of the Blagaj Dervish House was built very soon after Ottoman rule was established in Herzegovina, around 1520 at the latest.