HISTORIC BUILDING

SERANIC’S HOUSE in Banja Luka

1. INTRODUCTORY PAGE

1.1.       Country/Territory:

Bosnia and Herzegovina

1.2.       Name of organisation compiling the information:

Commission to Preserve National Monuments

1.3.       Contact name:

Mirela Mulalic Handan

1.4.       email address:

mirela.m.handan@aneks8komisija.com.ba

1.5.       Name and address of bulding(s) or site:

The historic building of Seranic's house in Ilidza mahala, Gornji Seher, Banja Luka, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

1.6.       Inventory reference number(s):

Decision for designation of national monument No.: 02-6-913/03;

1.7.       Building type(s):

Vernacular architecture – historic building – 18th century traditional house

1.8.       Main date(s):

Date of construction: end 18th century

1.9.       Current use(s):

Currently not in a use

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: THE SITE AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Seranic’s House, a house of the late 18th century, is one of the most interesting surviving vernacular houses of the Ottoman period in the Banja Luka region. This is a two storey building, with a projecting upper floor, which was built for a wealthy landowner.  Later subdivided and altered, its environs encroached upon and the house itself abandoned and in very poor condition, it is nevertheless capable of restoration and re-use. 

The house is situated in a residential neighbourhood (mahala) in a suburb of Banja Luka, a spa area with high potential for tourism.  In view of this potential for tourism it is considered that the restoration of the house might act as a spur towards raising the awareness of the local people to the value of the cultural and natural heritage, and to begin the process of the restoration and sustainable development of all other cultural and historical monuments in the area.

The house is currently in private ownership but initial discussions on its restoration and a future publicly-sponsored use have been positive.

PTA carried by:

Commission to Preserve National Monuments

Local experts:

Emir Softic, Architect, Associate for Historic Monuments,

Amra Sarancic, architect conservator,

Salko Kolukcija, civil engineer,

headed by Mirela Mulalic Handan, Project Coordinator,

in the cooperation with PTA expert (Andreas Heymowski, Architect).