On our Easter day trip from Dubrovnik, the bus wound north along the Neretva River to the striking hilltop settlement of Počitelj, a UNESCO‑listed gem that seems to rise organically from the rocky slopes. Enclosed by centuries‑old stone walls, the town’s skyline is crowned by the cylindrical Gavrakapetan Tower and punctuated by slender minarets, recalling its flourishing period under Ottoman rule from the 15th century. Cobbled lanes led us past arched gateways, fortified bastions, and traditional stone houses with wooden balconies — scenes that still echo the blend of medieval Bosnian and later Ottoman architecture. The spring light poured over fruit orchards and terraced gardens cascading toward the river, giving life to a town that has witnessed sieges, trade, and cultural exchange for more than 500 years.
