In many ways, the primary industries that exist in Pale today are a testament to those events. History has shaped this town in more ways than one into what it is today!

Wood and Logging

When it comes to natural resources, Pale has always had an abundance of wood – which is why when under the rule of Austria Hungary in the 1890s logging became its primary industry, and has remained so to this very day.

Over the early 1900s, it is this industry that was responsible for much of the development that Pale enjoyed, and it brought about an influx of new trades and people into this region.

Of course, there are other industries that have played their part too.

Metal Industry

After the Second World War, Pale welcomed a new industry to its town – metals. This began with the construction of a military maintenance facility in 1952 and slowly but surely the industry itself grew until the facility itself was merged with the FAMOS corporation.

By the 1980s, this facility alone employed more than 2,000 people – making it one of the biggest contributors to Pale’s industry.

Tourism

Over the years, Pale has enjoyed a growing tourism industry as well. With the world renowned Olympic ski slopes at Jahorina, Trebevic and Igman, and the fact that the 1984 Winter Olympics were held there – it is easy to see why this industry has done so well.

Also, Jahorina itself also boasts amazing hunting grounds, as well as other activities such as hiking and nature walks.

In 1975 a further boost to Pale’s tourism industry was provided by the newly explored Orlovaca cave that turned out to be an incredible natural wonder. Ever since it opened its doors to tourists, Pale once again enjoyed a growth in the number of visitors that it receives.

As you can see, the industries in Pale are certainly diverse – and history has contributed to them in no small way. If Australia Hungary hadn’t occupied Pale it may never have developed its logging industry, and if Bosnia hadn’t required a military maintenance facility post World War II – its metal industry wouldn’t have sprung up either.

Not to mention the Orlovaca cave that is a piece of history unto itself!

These three industries have contributed greatly to the growth of Pale and look set to do so for the immediate future. After that – who knows what could come next for this modest town in Bosnia Herzegovina.

With its wealth of natural surroundings, it should be no surprise that Pale is one of those destinations that people flock to for hunting trips. Although it is normally more known for its skiing and mountain hiking (and the fact that the 1984 Winter Olympics was held there) – hunting is one activity that predates all of that.

Way back during the time when the Austro-Hungarian Empire was occupying Pale and large swathes of Bosnia – hunting in Pale had already begun to gain popularity. Back then it was largely an informal affair, with hunters just dropping by and organizing their own trips.

Today however, the Jahorina Pale Hunting Association administers the hunting trips in this region. In fact, it is in charge of the entire Pale Hunting Grounds which is an area that stretches across 37,039 hectares that is partly in the Pale Municipality and partly in the neighboring Stari Grad Municipality.

These hunting grounds are famous across the world, and are widely regarded as one of the best in the region.

If you’re interested in organizing a hunting trip, the first thing that you’re going to need to do is book a place in one of the three hunting lodges within this area. Each of the lodges has 20 to 35 beds, so you’d better book early especially if you intend to go during the peak holiday seasons.

Also, you’re going to need to get a hunting license. This can be obtained directly from the Jahorina Pale Hunting Association and they sell not only season passes but also one-day licenses. Once again, there is a limit on these so you should organize them early.

With the lush vegetation and untouched forests in the area, there is a wide range of game that you can choose to hunt. Needless to say, the license that you will have to buy will vary based on the game that you’re hunting.

Most people who go to Pale to hunt tend to do so for the deer and bears that are found in the area, but others very often opt instead to hunt boars and rabbits. Whatever the case – you’ll find ample populations of them all within the Pale Hunting Grounds.

While not exactly located within the Pale Municipality, some of the nearby rivers also offer excellent fishing – if you find that to be more your cup of tea.

All said and done, you’ll find nothing but the best of hunting services at Pale. Over the years the town itself has catered to the hunters that come in looking for a bit of game, so you should have no problems finding the supplies and facilities that you need to have a pleasurable hunting trip!

This is the Orlovaca cave, and it is definitely one sight that you absolutely must see if you’re anywhere near Pale.

Natural Beauty

Within the Orlovaca cave you’ll find dazzling stalactites and stalagmites that occasionally interconnect and form full columns. In between them are helictites and draperies that adorn the roof of the cave, making it a breathtaking spectacle.

Of all the caves in the world, this is one of the most magnificent and its microclimate has kept it that way over the years. Also, unlike some other caves it benefits from the fact that it was largely unexplored until recent years – and even then only with the utmost of care.

But as we mentioned, the beauty of this place is not the only reason why you should make the trip from the town of Pale. Within, you’ll find that there are even more treasures waiting to be unearthed!

Historical Wealth

Although the residents of Pale have known of the Orlovaca cave for some time, it wasn’t until 1975 that it was truly explored. Over the years, over 2.5 kilometers of the cave has been explored, with more still to be delved into.

But even within that 2.5 kilometers, numerous historical finds have surfaced.

One of the most notable finds would have to be the skeletal remains of cave bears that have been dated at 16,000 years old. This find is extremely significant, and it forms part of the 500 meters of the cave that tourists are allowed access to.

Even more intriguing however are the traces of Bronze Age civilization that have been found near the entrance of the cave.

Going further in, explorers have even unearthed Mesolithic Era pottery and tools, confirming the long held suspicion that Pale was has been a site of human settlement throughout history!

Because of these scientific finds, archaeologists, paleontologists and even history enthusiasts have flocked to the caves, making it an attraction that is definitely one of the highlights of visiting Pale.

So if you’re in the area – why not pop over to the Orlovaca cave? Even if you’re not a history buff, you’ll find that the beauty of the cave formations is something that you don’t want to miss, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to bask in the glory of one of the world’s most pristine and amazing natural wonders!

Thinking of organizing a trip to Pale, Bosnia Herzegovina and bringing your family along? If you are, you’re probably wondering whether or not Pale is a good destination for a family location in the first place!

Let’s face it, although Bosnia does have a decent tourism industry it has suffered as a result of the troubles they had in the 90s. That being said – it is over now, but is Pale really a good place to take your family? Is it worth the trip to begin with?

Something for Everyone in Pale

One thing that Pale definitely has going for it is the diversity of its tourist attractions. Unlike other destinations, if you were to visit Pale you can really choose from a variety of activities – some of which are extremely family oriented.

For starters, there are the ski slopes. Chances are your kids would absolutely love to give this a go, and if you happen to be a skier yourself – great! Otherwise you could learn along with them on one of the many beginner slopes that are available on the Jahorina mountain.

Who knows, your family might actually get good enough to graduate to one of the more intermediate slopes by the time your vacation is over!

On top of that, you could also visit the Orlovaca cave in between your ski trips and marvel at the beauty of nature while also soaking in a bit of history. If your kids are adventurous in nature (which most kids are!) they’re bound to cherish the chance to get inside a cave, especially with the prospect of seeing the skeletal remains of cave bears!

If your family enjoys the great outdoors, hiking is another option too. There are several mountain trails that you can choose from, and you’ll find that some even can make for a pretty challenging hike.

Others tend to be milder in nature, but offer spectacular views of nature in all its splendor.

At the end of the day, you should be starting to see that despite its troubled history, Pale has recovered well and is now once again a thriving town that has a lot to offer its visitors.

Even if you want to visit it just for the chance to get out of the city and travel to someplace quiet, natural, and peaceful – Pale is a great destination.

So why not start planning your family vacation now? From the activities we’ve gone over you should have a good idea of what you feel your family could enjoy, so start checking out hotels and other places to stay around Pale!

Remember – this is one town that truly does have something to offer every single one of its visitors!

Many people have described Pale as being on the crossroads of the East and West. That much is certainly true, and it is what helped trade thrive in Pale at various points of time.

Unfortunately, this strategic location has been as much a bane as it is a blessing.

Over the years, Pale has had to endure many hardships – and has often ended up being occupied throughout the course of history.

In the Middle Ages, Pale was ruled by the Pavlovic house of feudal Bosnia. Back then, it enjoyed a period of prosperous trade – but that began to end when the Bosnian King died. In the ensuing power struggle, the various houses pit themselves against each other, with some even reaching outside the country to gather support.

The Pavlovic house that ruled Pale asked the Ottoman Empire for help – and that turned out to truly be a grave error. Eventually, it culminated with the outright conquest of Bosnia by the Ottoman Empire.

From that point on, Pale and the rest of Bosnia would fall under the Ottoman’s domain for the hundreds of years!

It was only when the Ottoman Empire began to crumble that this would change. In 1878 the Berlin Congress was held, and it was decided there that Bosnia would be administered by Austria Hungary.

Some people consider this swapping one foreign ruler for another, but the fact of the matter is that Pale truly did prosper for a time under the administration of Austria Hungary. In fact, it is that administration that was largely responsible for introducing the lumber and logging trade to the area.

When World War I broke out, Pale once again ended up facing tough times. The Serbs and Montenegrins entered Pale but had to withdraw when the Austrians showed up in force. With the army went most of the local populace, and those who did not escape were sent to harsh detention camps.

After the war, Pale joined the newly formed Kingdom of Yugoslavia, but when World War II broke out it once again found itself occupied – this time by Nazi forces. During this time, there were a number of revolts, and even a massacre, all of which continued the troubled history of Pale.

In more recent times, the Bosnian War once again added a chapter to Pale’s troubled history. Being the administrative center for the Srpska Republic, Pale and its surrounding area saw many battles – and until recently some of the surrounding mountains still contained land mines!

Right now you should be starting to see just how much this one small town has had to endure over the years. Still, it has stood the test of time and remains to this day, a testament to its hardy nature.

Truly, there are few towns so small that have had such a large significance in history.

Straddling the Sarajevo Valley and Drina River Basin, Pale is both the name of the town and the municipality that it occupies. While it is by no means a big town, it has had its own claims to fame and its fair share of history too!

Settlements in Pale are said to have begun in the Middle Ages, but there is evidence to suggest that it might date back even further than that. Still it was only in the 1900s that the town itself began to actually grow and begin to resemble what it looks like today.

With acres of sprawling country on either side, Pale is a truly picturesque sight. Its natural beauty has been one of its main attractions, but because of its strategic location it has often been used for trade and even military operations.

On top of that Pale has had its fair share of tourism too, and was once the site of the 1984 Winter Olympics. Till today, its ski center remains extremely popular and is very well known amongst slope aficionados.

Coupled with the immense hunting grounds in the area, and it is easy to see why people flock to Pale year in and year out.

Even the academic community has a stake in the town, with the Orlovaca cave being a rich paleontological site that contains amazingly fossilized remains and some extremely beautiful cave ornaments.

Still, Pale has never been the most populous of towns and in recent years the upheaval in the area due to the Bosnian War had a very big impact on its normal activity. For a time it was even the administrative capital of the Republic Srpska (Serb Republic).

Since the war ended, normality has slowly crept back and Pale is now beginning to enjoy a revival of sorts. This is evident from the influx of people into the town and the progress that has been made there in recent years.

Overall, while Pale might appear to be a quaint little town to outsiders – it pulses with a depth of cultural and historical background that cannot be overlooked. Couple that with the attractions in the area as well and you should be able to see why this is one town that is definitely worth paying a visit.

Because of the part that tourism has played, there are numerous hotels, lodges and other forms of accommodation available – and now that you have started to get to know the town of Pale already, it should be easy enough for you to figure out whether you’d like to pay it a visit.

If you do, be sure to book in advance so you don’t end up arriving smack in the middle of peak season and unable to find a place to stay!

Even if you didn’t know that – you do now!

For ages, Pale has boasted easy access to some of the best ski slopes in the region, and as such it made sense to take advantage of them for the 1984 Winter Olympics. Add to that the fact that these venues are ever so close to Sarajevo itself and you have a no brainer.

Till today, the leftovers from that amazing competition can still be seen and in some cases you might even be able to use them!

Overall, there were three venues in particular around Pale that were used for the 1984 Winter Olympics and they were:

• Jahorina

This 1,913 meter tall mountain was used for the women’s alpine skiing events, and to this very day remains popular for skiing, sledding and even hiking. In fact, the facilities at Jahorina have been upgraded over time making it one of the world’s premier skiing destinations that books out months in advance!

With over 8 lifts and 20 kilometers of ski trails that include its renowned Olympic-style professional trails – this is a venue that no skiing enthusiast can afford to pass up!

• Igman

While it may be the shortest mountain nearby Pale, measuring only 1,502 meters – it has two separate areas for skiing!

In the 1984 Winter Olympics, the Veliko Polje area was used for the cross country skiing competitions, the Nordic combined (cross country) competitions, and also the biathlon.

On the other hand the Malo Polje area hosted the Nordic combined (ski jumping), and ski jumping competitions.

Till today some of the structures from those events remain, though the Bosnian War took its toll on them and left them in disrepair. Still, Igman remains a popular skiing and hiking venue.

• Trebevic

Unlike the other mountains, the 1,627 meter tall Trebevic mountain wasn’t used for skiing, but rather it was where bobsledding and luge competitions were held!

Back during the Olympics, it drew huge crowds, but unfortunately today people steer clear of it due to the fact that the Bosnian War extracted a huge price from the area and for some time there were even fears of land mines.

Although you might want to steer clear of the Trebevic mountain, Jahorina and Igman are great destinations to visit if you happen to be staying in Pale – especially if you happen to like skiing!

With breathtaking sights and unsurpassed ski trails, there isn’t much more that you could ask for!

With only so many really great ski slopes throughout the world, it should be easy for you to imagine why it is expensive to find a ski lodge to stay at, pay for a season pass, and so on.

But that is really not the case when it comes to Jahorina in Pale, Bosnia Herzegovina!

Extremely Cheap Ski Trips

Instead of paying out of your nose, Jahorina offers prices that may even appear to be ridiculously cheap at first glance. Imagine being able to get a season ski pass for the price that you would normally pay for a single trip on a ski lift!

That is the kind of bargains that are available in Pale.

In many ways, it should make sense. Years ago Jahorina used to be the Yugoslav’s biggest and premier ski destination. It was an amazing place to visit and was so good that many of its ski slopes were chosen to host events during the 1984 Winter Olympics.

But a lot has happened since those days. As a result of the events of the Bosnian War, Jahorina was left a shadow of its former self. Today, it has begun to recover, but the process is slow and very much still ongoing.

For now though, that works out to the benefit of anyone who loves skiing, but has a tight budget.

Everything in and around Pale is extremely cheap when compared to pretty much any other ski destination across the globe. Accommodation is a fraction of the cost that you’d pay elsewhere and when it comes to food you’ll get twice the portion for half the price!

Of course, you shouldn’t expect 5 star treatments either.

While Jahorina is definitely worth the trip, it is no longer a ‘luxury’ resort. It once used to be, but many of the facilities have fallen into disrepair. Still, for the price that you’re paying you should be willing to put up with the occasional breakdowns of the ski lifts, and maybe even short power outages.

In a nutshell, if you want to go on a ski trip without breaking your bank – this should be the one destination that is top of your list.

The slopes on Jahorina are still top notch, and it is easy to see why they were once chosen to host world class events. Considering you’ll be paying peanuts to ski on them, you should definitely grab this opportunity while it lasts!

Due to its thriving tourism industry, Pale has a wide array of options for people looking to stay over. If you’re thinking about organizing a trip to Pale, it would be worth your while to familiarize yourself with some of these options.

Hotels in Pale Town

Within the town itself there are several hotels that range from budget hotels to luxury hotels. Needless to say, the price scales upwards accordingly as well. Staying within the town offers you easy access to not only the surrounding area but neighboring cities such as Sarajevo which is only about 30 miles away.

While Pale is by no means a large town, you’ll find that there are several shops that cater to tourists and offer an interesting experience to say the least.

Ski Resorts and Hotels

On the other hand if you’re more interested in spending your time on the slopes you might want to consider hotels and ski resorts that are located nearer Jahorina and Igman. There are several of these available though it is worth mentioning that they do tend to book out well in advance of peak seasons.

Staying at ski resorts and hotels in either of these locations will also allow you to take part in other activities on the mountains, such as hiking and so on. While you could do the same even when staying in the town, it is just more convenient to have everything you desire nearby.

Hunting Lodges

Another option to take into account is one of the three hunting lodges that are available and cater to the Pale Hunting Grounds. To book these, you’re going to have to go through the Joharina Pale Hunting Association, but it is definitely worth considering if hunting is your goal.

By basing yourself in a hunting lodge, you’ll have easy access to the hunting grounds and will have everything you need to organize your hunting trips in easy access.

Once again, there is limited space in these hunting lodges too so if you intend to make a trip during peak season you should definitely try to book them well in advance.

See how the different options that are available in Pale differ from one another? Apart from just choosing the type of place that you’ll be staying at, you should also set yourself a budget so that you can figure out where you can afford to stay.

Many of the hotels in Pale can be booked online or via the phone, so all you need to do is check them out for yourself and before you know it you could have sorted out a place to stay for the duration that you’re in Pale!

Most visitors to Pale don’t realize just how rich a history the municipality and the town itself possess, and few actually appreciate how far back that history stretches!

Early History

Relatively little is known of Pale’s early history but in the nearby Orlovaca caves pottery that dates back to the Mesolithic era has been found. Some experts feel that as explorations of these caves continue – more artifacts dating even further back could be unearthed.

Even the slope outside the cave has signs of Bronze Age civilization, which makes it a reasonable enough assumption that throughout prehistoric times there have been settlements in the area.

Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, the area of Pale was primarily a trading center between the East and West.

Being the feudal nation that it then was, Pale fell under the domain of the House of Pavlovic and was the location for several fortified settlements and trading centers. During this time, trade positively flourished – but it was relatively short lived as Bosnia herself was about to face an imminent disaster.

Ottoman Empire

Eventually most of Bosnia fell to the Ottoman Empire. From the start, Pale had a role to play in these developments because it was the members of the House of Pavlovic that counted the Ottomans as their allies.

Pale and the surrounding area continued to be under the Ottoman Empire and while there were several well-documented struggles, the area itself continued to remain a commercial hub.

Austrian Rule

Eventually, the Berlin Congress placed all of Bosnia including Pale under the administration of Austria Hungary. This marked a shift for the area, and logging became an important economic activity for the first time.

With this new development, the town prospered with new businesses and trades arriving in the area.

World War I

World War I was generally a tumultuous period for Pale, and after Montenegrin forces had occupied it they were forced to withdraw and took most of the local Serb populace with them. Most of these eventually ended up in detention camps.

After World War I however, Pale began another growth spurt once again within the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and its logging industry thrived. Unfortunately, this didn’t last.

World War II

In 1941 the German’s occupied Pale and incorporated it into Croatia. This period saw numerous violent uprisings and fighting, and by the end of the war Pale had suffered greatly.

After WWII ended however Pale once again recovered and in addition to its rebuilt logging industry it began an equally prosperous metals industry too!

Bosnian War

Most recently in the Bosnian War, Pale became the administrative headquarters for the breakaway Republika Srpska. Once the war ended however, some degree of normalcy resumed and Pale is now once again back to being its old self – almost!

Even this is really just a brief glimpse into the vast history of Pale, and as you can see – there really is more to this small town in Bosnia than meets the eye!