Tešanj

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Tešanj is a city and municipality in the northern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located near Teslić, Doboj and Zavidovići. Administrativley, it belongs to the Zenica-Doboj Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
History

The present name of the city is for the first time mentioned in 1461 in a charter from King Stephen Tomašević to his uncle Radivoj Krstić. The charter stated that King Stephen Tomašević grants him, among other possessions "i na Usori grad Tešanj- the city of Tešanj, in the Usora region".

Between the second half of the 15th century and the first half of the 16th century, the history of Tešanj was rather chaotic. Since Bosnia was considered a buffer state by the Ottomans, it changed rulers quite often, alternating between Ottoman and Hungarian occupation. Between 1463 and 1476 Tešanj was the center of the Bosnian kingdom and the residence of Duke Radivoj Kotromanić.

From 1512 (or 1520-21) on, Tešanj was under continuous rule of the Ottoman empire. The most Ottoman influential ruler of Tešanj was the Bosnian Sandžak-bey Gazi Ferhad-bey. It is under his authority that the city rapidly developed. His most significant contribution was the Ferhadija Mosque (1563), which still stands in the old town, dating back to the 16th century. Gazi Ferhad-bey died in 1568 and was buried in the yard of the mosque. The epitaph on his tombstone was in Arabic, and is the oldest Islamic record in Tešanj.

The old Eminagić House is the oldest house of Tešanj, still standing the tooth of time, and is said to have been built at the end of the 17th century.

The Old Town is dominated by the well-preserved fortress, called "Gradina", overlooking the whole city. Upper City Center expands around the castle, rather on the bottom of this castle. Very early this castle became a center of economic and cultural life of Tešanj. This was developed along with retail and trade in Tešanj. The city center developed strongly in 17 and 18 Century, when there were around 40 stores and trades operating.

The Hour tower was built in the 17th century. From the total of 21 hour towers that were built in the whole Bosnia and Herzegovina, this tower is one of the four towers that are still working properly. It is 18.5 meters tall. Up until 1890 this tower showed alaturk time, but the same year, Fehim-beg Smailbegović brought a new clock, which showed European time. This hour clock is still working.

Grave of the poet Musa Ćazim Ćatić is located on cemetery "Obješenica", in the city center. Even though he was born in Odžak in year 1880, he dedicated his whole life and work to the city Tešanj, where is also died in 1915.
Tourism
Tešanj Castle
Tešanj Castle is one of the most significant and largest castles in BiH. Its area is 6,296 square metres (67,770 sq ft). When this castle was built is not known. It was built and renovated for a long period. Because the way it was positioned it was mostly for defense from invaders. Together with the city center it forms a balanced area of Bosnian style. The building of this Castle was started as early as the reign of Ilira. It was built onto the Castle by Romans, Slavs and Turks. During the reign of Turks, the castle had a permanent army.
Places in the municipality
Bukva, Blaževci, Bobare, Cerovac, Čaglici, Čifluk, Dobropolje, Drinčići, Džemilić Planje, Jevadžije, Jelah, Jablanica, Jelah-polje, Kalošević, Karadaglije, Koprivci, Kraševo, Lepenica, Logobare, Lončari, Ljetinić, Marin Han, Mrkotić, Miljanovci, Medakovo, Mekiš, Novo Selo, Novi Miljanovci, Oraš Planje, Piljužići, Potočani, Putešić, Raduša, Rosulje, Ripna, Šije, Tešanj, Trepče, Tešanjka, Tugovići, Vrela, Vukovo, Hrvatinovići
Famous people from Tešanj

Ahmet Turkovic, actor,
Amir Brka, writer,
Omer Pobrić, Sevdah Institute founder,
Huso Hodžić, WW2 People's Hero,
Nisim Albahari, WW2 People's Hero,
Ćazim Golalić, WW2 People's Hero,
Musa Ćazim Ćatić, poet,
Otto Lang, Film producer,
Kemal Korajlić, WW2 Lieutenant-General and WW2 People's Hero,
Enis Bešlagić, Actor
Ademaga Mešić, Ustaša Deputy-Leader,
Stevo Petranović, Theater director and founder the first theater in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Rešad Kadić, Writer,