We were excited when we realised we would pass through Visegrad on our way to the Croatian coast. We had picked up a translation of "The Bridge on the Drina" by Ivo Andric before we left Scotland and read it as we were traveling and both loved it. The novel recounts the 400 year history of the bridge in Visegrad and its people in a fictionalised but deeply researched historically accurate way. Andric spent his youth in Visegrad and the novel gives vivid descriptions of the beauty here and the characters and conflicts of its inhabitants. The writing is beautiful and gives sympathy, warmth and depth to all the towns inhabitants of Christians, Muslims and Jews without shying away from the tragedies the town saw. He won the Nobel prize in '61 for the novel and it seems so deserved, it beautifully describes aspects of the culture and historical roots of the conflict in this part of the world.
We felt so attatched to the town from reading the book we were heartbroken to hear the troubles there where by no means over once the novel's narrative ends as WW1 begins. The bridge itself saw horrendous atrocites only last decade. Once we arrived in Visegrad however things felt peaceful yet vibrant. The cafes were friendly and buzzing and there were lots of young people about. An old railway line that takes you through the mountains had been reopened to be used for a scenic steam train only a day before we arrived. The town seems proud of Andric with libaries and cultural centres dedicated to his memory and a memorial overlooking the ancient bridge.
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| Rakija at our campsite by the Drina |
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