This small town in western Herzegovina has a Mediterranean climate and limestone terrain. Local industries include wine production and stone quarrying.
Posušje lies in the West Herzegovina Canton. Start at the Church of the Virgin Mary, its stone tower visible from most streets. Follow the worn grooves of Roman roads that climb into nearby hills, or head to Tribistovo’s lake, built to supply water to an area once plagued by droughts. In July, groups of singers gather in the town square for klapa festivals, their voices echoing past the stadium where HŠK Posušje plays home games. Look for the flat medieval tombstones scattered in fields around villages like Vir and Rakitno, some carved with simple crosses or figures.
Football Matches, Stadiums, and Local Gatherings
HŠK Posušje draws crowds to Mokri Dolac Stadium, renovated in 2018 with new seating and lighting. Tickets cost about KM8, sold at blue kiosks near the stadium entrance. Fans meet at Caffe Petica on Fra Grge Martića Street, ordering espresso or rakija before walking to the stands. Behind the east goal, the Dribbling sports bar screens Bundesliga and Premier League matches, serving Karlovačko beer and grilled ćevapi. The town’s basketball team, HKK Posušje, plays weekend games at the sports hall on Kralja Tomislava Street, where admission is free.
Summer Festivals and Markets
The Festival klapske pisme Posušje takes over the main square every August, with groups from Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia competing in a cappella performances. This tradition started in the 1980s when locals began singing in cafes after work. From June to September, Posuško lito organizes free concerts on Thursday nights, ranging from folk music to rock covers. Early on Saturdays, farmers sell plum rakija, smoked prosciutto, and olive oil at the open-air market near the bus station. Two wineries within a 15-minute drive let you sample Žilavka white wines made from grapes grown in rocky soil.
Ancient Ruins and Archaeological Sites
A 4th-century Christian basilica was discovered near Gradac in the 1970s, its floor mosaics showing fish and geometric patterns. The Roman fortress of Gradac, once a military post on the road between Salona and Narona, still overlooks the valley from a hilltop. At Petrovići in Rakitno, archaeologists found iron spearheads and stone walls built by the Delmatae tribe around 200 BCE. Over 20 Latin inscriptions have been recorded on stone blocks near Vir, most marking property boundaries from the Roman era. Local museums in Tomislavgrad display coins and pottery from these sites, though opening hours can be irregular.
Lakes, Mountains, and Weather Patterns
Tribistovo’s lake, completed in 1989, has a concrete dam and a path circling its perimeter. Anglers catch carp and trout here, while families grill meat at shaded tables along the shore. The Čvrsnica mountains north of town reach 2,226 meters at Pločno Peak, with hiking trails passing through Blidinje Lake Nature Park. Summers in Posušje are hot and dry, with July temperatures averaging 34°C. Winters bring snow, especially in Rakitno, where drifts can block roads for days. The Trebižat River flows west toward Ljubuški, its water used to irrigate orchards and vineyards.
Bus Routes and Day Trip Options
Buses leave hourly for Mostar, passing through Široki Brijeg and crossing the Neretva River. The ride to Split takes two hours, crossing the border at Imotski where you’ll see the blue lake in the town’s limestone sinkhole. Rent a car to visit the Tihaljina monastery near Grude, its 15th-century frescoes restored in 2020. Road signs to Tomislavgrad will lead you to remnants of Roman baths, though some are on private land—ask permission before entering. Keep euros handy; some gas stations and cafes near the Croatian border prefer them over Bosnian marks.
