The fortress is constructed on a sheer cliff face that drops nearly 200 meters directly to the spring of the Buna River.
During the Middle Ages, the site functioned as a heavily fortified center for trade and military administration in the Hum region.
The interior structure features a well-preserved water cistern, essential for surviving sieges during the medieval era.
The coat of arms of the Kosača family was once carved into the stone lintels of the fortress entrance.
The fortress remained under Ottoman military use as a garrison until the year 1835.
Stari Grad Blagaj, also known as Stjepangrad, is a medieval fortress situated at an altitude of 310 meters above the Buna River spring. It served as the seat of the Bosnian Duke Stjepan Vukčić Kosača until the Ottoman conquest in 1465. The site features the remains of defensive walls, towers, and a cistern, spanning approximately 2,200 square meters. The complex sits on a limestone plateau that overlooks the Blagaj Tekke and the surrounding valley. Archaeological excavations have revealed evidence of human occupation dating back to the Illyrian and Roman periods. Today, the ruins are accessible via a restored hiking trail that climbs the cliffside from the village below. The site remains a protected national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The eastern ramparts offer a panoramic view looking straight down toward the Blagaj Tekke and the river source.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes as the trail consists of uneven, loose limestone rocks.
Carry at least one liter of water, as there are no amenities or shade available at the summit.
Start your hike early in the morning to avoid the intense midday heat reflecting off the limestone cliffs.
Do not attempt the hike during or immediately after rainfall, as the stone path becomes hazardous and extremely slippery.
Open year-round, but access may be restricted during severe weather conditions or high wind warnings.
Respect the site as a protected national monument; do not climb on unstable walls or remove loose stones.
