Zvornik

Zvornik (Sr-cyrl: Зворник, zʋɔ̌rniːk) is a city in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2013, it had a population of 58,856 inhabitants. Zvornik is located on the Drina River, on the eastern slopes of Majevica mountain, at the altitude of 146m.^[1]

The town of Mali Zvornik ("Little Zvornik") lies directly across the river in Serbia.^[2] Kula Grad, a village that is part of Zvornik municipality, has a Middle Age fort, Zvornik fortress, built in the 12th century.^[3]

History

Zvornik is first mentioned in 1410, although it was known as Zvonik ("bell tower") at that time.^[4] The town's geographic location has made it an important trade link between Bosnia and the east. For instance, the main road connecting Sarajevo and Belgrade runs through the city.^[5] The medieval fort known as Kula grad was built in the early 7th century and still stands on the Mlađevac mountainous range overlooking the Drina Valley.^[6]

Ottoman rule

During the Ottoman period, Zvornik was the capital of the Sanjak of Zvornik (an administrative region) within the Eyalet of Bosnia. This was primarily the case because of the city's crucial role in the economy and the strategic importance of the city's location. The Sanjak of Zvornik was one of six Ottoman sanjaks with most developed shipbuilding (besides the sanjaks of Vidin, Nicopolis, Požega, Smederevo and Mohač).^[7] In 1806, Zvornik was home to Mehmed-beg Kulenović.^{[citation needed]}

Stojan Čupić (also known as Zmaj od Noćaja), one of the leaders of the First Serbian Uprising, was captured and murdered by the Turks in Zvornik in 1815. He was initially buried near the road from Zvornik to Tuzla, and his remains were moved to Salaš Noćajski in 1988.^[8]

World War II

Ustasha troops of the fascist Independent State of Croatia occupied Zvornik, along with most of Bosnia, in April 1941. The town was liberated in July 1943 by the 1st Proletarian Brigade during the Battle of Zvornik.^{[citation needed]}

Bosnian war

During the Bosnian War (1992–1995) Zvornik's Bosniak population was expelled. The military attack of paramilitary groups that came from Serbia on Zvornik Bosniaks commenced on 8 April 1992.^[9] During April 1992, many European news stations daily reported Serb armed attacks and mass killings of the Bosniak population of Zvornik and the surrounding villages.^[10]

On 19 May 1992, combined JNA, Serb paramilitary and Arkan's Tigers took control of Zvornik and Mali Zvornik.^[9] The suburbs of Karakaj and Čelopek were places of prisons where hundreds of local Bosniaks were killed. The remaining Bosniaks and non-Serbs were relegated to concentration camps and detention facilities throughout the area.^[9] During the war, Serb forces destroyed at least 26 mosques in and around the city.^[11]

Settlements

Aside from the city proper area of Zvornik, the municipality comprises the following settlements:

• Androvići
• Baljkovica
• Baljkovica Donja
• Boškovići
• Buložani
• Čelopek
• Cer
• Divič
• Donja Pilica
• Donji Lokanj
• Drinjača
• Dugi Dio
• Đevanje
• Đulići
• Glodi
• Glumina
• Goduš
• Gornja Pilica
• Gornji Lokanj
• Grbavci Donji
• Grbavci Gornji
• Gušteri
• Jardan
• Jasenica
• Jusići
• Kamenica Donja
• Kamenica Gornja
• Kiseljak
• Kitovnice
• Klisa
• Kostijerevo
• Kozluk
• Kraljevići
• Križevići
• Kučić Kula
• Kula Grad
• Liješanj
• Liplje
• Malešići
• Marčići
• Međeđa
• Mehmedići
• Nezuk
• Novo Selo
• Pađine
• Paljevići
• Petkovci
• Potočani
• Rastošnica
• Roćević
• Rožanj
• Sapna
• Skočić
• Snagovo
• Snagovo Donje
• Snagovo Gornje
• Sopotnik
• Šepak Donji
• Šepak Gornji
• Šetići
• Tabanci
• Trnovica
• Tršić
• Ugljari
• Vitinica
• Vrela
• Zaseok
• Zelinje

Demographics

Population

Ethnic composition

Economy

The table shows the number of registered people employed in legal entities by their core activity in 2018:^[12]

Culture

The Cultural Summer of Zvornik (Zvorničko kulturno ljeto) is an annual event held in the first week of August, usually for six days. Its main objective is to become a traditional cultural event which will open the doors of Zvornik for recognized cultural values.

The festival was first held in August 2001 as a local event and has grown to be one of the biggest festivals in the Balkans.

In 2007, famous singers such as Neda Ukraden and Sandi Cenov participated, but in 2008 theis festival featured some of the most notable stars from former Yugoslavia, like Željko Joksimović, Hari Mata Hari, Van Gogh and Marinko Rokvić. There is also a regatta on the river Drina, a fun marathon and many cultural events and competitions during day and night.^[13]

International co-operation

Zvornik is twinned with:

• Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia^[14]

Other friendships and cooperations, protocols, memorandums:

• Kolchugino, Russia^[15]

Sport

The local football clubs, FK Drina Zvornik and ŽFK Drina Zvornik, play in the First League of the Republika Srpska.^[16] Members of the First league of Republika Srpska also are volleyball and handball clubs Zvornik.

Notable people

• Seka Aleksić, singer
• Ermin Bičakčić, footballer
• Rade Đokić, footballer
• Amer Hrustanović, sports wrestler, European medallist
• Said Husejinović, footballer
• Goran Ikonić, basketball player
• Zlatko Junuzović, Austrian footballer
• Samir Muratović, footballer
• Nada Obrić, singer
• Denis Omerbegović, footballer
• Borisav Pisić, athlete
• Sejad Salihović, footballer
• Alan Ibrahimagić, basketball coach

See also

• Podrinje
• Drina

References

• Official results from the book: Ethnic composition of Bosnia-Herzegovina population, by municipalities and settlements, 1991. census, Zavod za statistiku Bosne i Hercegovine - Bilten no.234, Sarajevo 1991.

1. ^ "Osnovne informacije – Turistička organizacija grada Zvornik" (in bs-BA). Retrieved 2024-09-07.
2. ^ Zvornik fortress Altitude and Location
3. ^ "Zvornik: Kule kao svedoci vekova" (in Serbian). NOVOSTI. Archived 2024-12-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
4. ^ "Zvornik Through History". Zvornik Tourism Organization. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
5. ^ "Zvornik". John Bills Travel Guide. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
6. ^ "Zvornik Fortress (Kula Grad)". Tourist Organization of Republika Srpska. Retrieved 5 December 2025.^{[dead link]}
7. ^ Godis̆njak grada Beograda. Beogradske novine. 1979. p. 35. Retrieved 7 September 2013. – via Google Books. Ипак градња бродова се посебно везивала за шест санџака: никопољски, видински, смедеревски, зворнички, пожешки и мохачки.
8. ^ "Zmaj od noćaja – Turistička organizacija grada Zvornik" (in bs-BA). Retrieved 2024-09-07.
9. ^ UN report on Zvornik Archived 10 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine
10. ^ ""One of the biggest" mass graves found in Bosnia". BBC News. 8 October 1998. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
11. ^ "War in Bosnia | UN IRMCT". www.irmct.org. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
12. ^ "Cities and Municipalities of Republika Srpska". rzs.rs.ba. Republika Srspka Institute of Statistics. 25 December 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
13. ^ "Zvornik's summer – Turistička organizacija grada Zvornik". zvornikturizam.org. Turistička organizacija grada Zvornika. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
14. ^ "Zvornik odlučio da se pobratimi sa Sremskom Mitrovicom" (in sr-RS). Nadlanu. 30 September 2013. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
15. ^ "СПОРАЗУМ О САРАДЊИ ЗВОРНИКА И КОЉЧУГИНА | СРНА". www.srna.rs. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
16. ^ First league of RS 2017/18

External links

• Official website
• Drinariver.com
• Zvornik Travel Guide - android aplikacija