ÎLOTS DE BIHAĆ

In the heart of Bihać, the Una River is dotted with a dozen islets that constitute the green lung of the city. The most important one, right in the center, is the one called "City Island" (Gradska Otoka). It is from here that the Una Regata, a great rafting race, starts every year at the end of July. Its vast lawn is the venue for fairs and shows. Connected to the banks by a footbridge to the east and a bridge for commercial vehicles to the west, it houses an open-air theater and the statue of The Girl from Una(Djevojka sa Une). This bronze nude was created in 1986 by Vladimir Herljević, who is also credited with the bas-reliefs on the People's Liberation Wall in the historic center. To the north, a footbridge gives access to the tiny "American Island" (Amerikančeva Otoka). Drowned in the vegetation, it has benches to enjoy the view of several small waterfalls. Further north, there is still the islet Husein-bey (Huseinbegova Otoka). Accessible by a pedestrian bridge from the right bank of the river Una, this island has a few houses, including a very nice villa for rent (+387 61 53 41 80). Less expensive rooms can also be found about 600 m further north on the islet Mlin ("mill"), very close to the right bank, at Villa Tara (+387 61 86 05 60). Finally, to the south, the Beton islet owes its name to a long concrete reservoir that forms a "swimming pool" very popular with the local youth in summer. It can be reached by a footbridge behind the Paviljon Hotel, south of the historic center.