Hello everyone.
Recently I visited Martin Brod and lovely waterfalls on river Una. Martin Brod is small village in northwestern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Two river Una and Unac confluence here and with its waterfalls it is hidden gem for sure. Village is within borders of Una National park. Largest complex of waterfalls in the Una National Park is in here.
Journey through lovely waterfalls, traditional water mills and 300 years old natural washing machine sounds quite exciting.
It was my first visit to Martin Brod.
This small tuff cave welcomed us on the beginning of our walk.
Whole village of Martin Brod lies on layers of tuff. This means that whole this area was previously under the water. Why I mention this? Because like you see in this photos surrounding as well as river bed is tuff layer. For tuff layer to be formed beside exceptionally clear water presence of several hundred species of algae mosses, insects and snails are necessary. This is ongoing process for centuries which shapes water flow and you get these lovely textures and shapes along river bed bed surrounding . As I explore around I will show you more photos.
Small cave in tuff and wooden banks. Nice place to sit and enjoy in shade.
First we moved to visit small water fall. We already heard water sound and as we got closer to this bridge the sound is stronger.
And for the first time we see river Una. Its famous emerald color emerges and captivates you.
As I mentioned above you can see tuff layer along river bed. Some of it forms these lovely cascades.
In other instances they are like small water pools.
While on the bridge I wont to mention the legend about name Martin Brod.
There was this beautiful girl Marta and she fell in love with a boy from other side of the river. Her parent were against it. One day at late evening she decided to meet her love. As she was crossing the river she slipped on slippery Una tuff and fell into the water and disapeared. The places where you could cross a river is called brod so after this that crossing or brod was called Martin Brod or Martas Brod. And like as tribute to love of two young people and Marta this place is called Martin Brod or Martas Brod (Marta is girl name same as Martha).
I did not know this before. First time reading about it here while visiting.
From where ever you look beautiful river Una always has some surprises that you did not see.
And river Una continues to flow.
We continue toward small waterfall. I think this should be barn. Do you notice anything interesting?
Yes, it is tuff. Tuff blocks are used in architecture as well. Houses are built of tuff as well. I found this tuff blocks so calming. Wood and tuff are good combination.
After a bit walk through the village we reach small waterfall.
Here we are. Water spread along with so many lovely waterfalls.
You have feeling that water comes from everywhere.
On this hot day air here is fresh and cool. And scenery is beautiful. There is small wooden hut if you want to spend more time here. We did that of course.
Beside here is water mill. On display is wooden wheel or wooden turbine. Later I will write more about wooden mills.
Craftmanship on details on wooden wheel is so good. I think they are used for years before they are changed or broken. Not ordinary wood is used as well.
I assume so many water passed through this wheel and many kilograms and tons of grain was milled.
Now it is time to go to the waterfall Milančev buk.
This is waterfall Milančev buk.
This waterfall is one of the sequent waterfalls and cascades that spread throughout whole village until Unac river confluence with river Una.
Here this 800 meters long sequence of waterfall and cascades with vertical drop of 54 meter is longest waterfall complex in Una National Park.
It is like waterfalls in waterfall. Beautiful scenery.
There is wooden platform to get better view.
One of well known and important events on river Una is International Una regata which starts from Martin Brod. It is rafting event that last for 4 days in 4 stages. First stage starts here in Martin Brod. This year 51st edition was held. People from all over the world come and join on adventure on river Una. Super place to start Una regata.
Of course water is so clear. You can swim here.
There are places where you can get closer to the river. And you wont regret going down the hill to see it. It seems there is always some hidden pocket and place waiting for you.
Perfect place for a swim.
This place is after the waterfall. There is this pool like area where water is still.
What better place to come and relax. It is lovely walking around.
One more look to the waterfall. It was beautiful trip and worth coming.
In the beginning of the post I mentioned that there are wooden mills and natural washing machine. Since we are here of course we will check it out.
We follow the path.
Wooden railing and dirt trails is perfect fitting. Nothing else would look this good.
This was interesting part. As we were walking around the village we saw that houses had water brought to their places. So they used this water for their needs, water mills or to have natural washing machine.
After walking for several minutes we arrived. As you can see there is water source near the house.
And this is natural washing machine called Bučnica. It is assumed that it is 300 years old. It is one of only two washing machines left in the Martin Brod. Guide said that they used it sometimes. You can see upper part from where water is released. After you move the lever and wooden plank water starts to flow more.
You throw clothes, blankets or other stuff and release the water.
And washing machine starts working. As the guide told us they dont use and chemicals while washing clothes. It needs only 15 minutes as I remember (or it may be 25 minutes but it is quite fast nevertheless).
Quite effective and ecological.
After washing is done you take out the clothes.
It was interesting to watch it as he put wooden stick and managed effortlessly to take it out in first try.
Inside is the water mill. Back in time there was around 60 water mills in the village. Now as I read one interview only 4 and only this one is actively working.
During summer days as there is less water daily 35 kilograms of grain can be milled. During autumn and winter since there is more water they can mill up to 55 kilograms of grain.
Here at the moment corn is being milled. He started mill to show us process. As kid I remember to going in water mills and this smell of grain being milled is familiar. Also in the back you can see tuff blocks of the mill structure.
Water mill and washing machine at one place. Used for 300 years and still do the job.
We had good time. Such a beautiful place.
