Zvornik is the town of turbulent past and one of the oldest in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. First time it was mentioned in 1410, under the name Zvonik, and 1519 under the today name Zvornik. There are three versions about the name of Zvornik. The first one says that the town got his name after church tower of some ruinous church that was situated at this area. Other theory says that the name was given according to the Franciscan monastery from the XV century in Zvornik, at Fetija. According to third version, Zvonik (Zvornik) got his name after the area that has the shape of bell.
It was and it is the intersection of roads. Unfortunately, invaders often passed these roads. Romans invaded Illyricum (the region of municipality that belonged to them in that time) in the period of King Aragon and Queen Teuta 229 years BC and finally reigned from 6 – 9 years after AD. When Romans established their political, economic and social relationships, they performed also strong cultural impact to the population. Territory of Zvornik lied on the very important roads that connected roman mines in Srebrenica (Domavija) with midfielder roman center Sremska Mitrovica (Sirmium) where was situated the mint, and certain time it was residence for emperors.
Remains of roman roads by Drina were found north from Bratunac, near Voljevica, and north from Zvornik, between Branjevo and Sepka in the length of three kilometers. Roman traces show that the region near Zvornik was densely populated and protected by roman fortresses. There are more circumstances about the place where was situated the Roman fortress "City Ad Drinum", and the most common was assumption that this settlement was in the estuary of river Drinjaca into the Drina.
Municipality Zvornik belongs to nine the most developed municipality of Republic of Srpska, situated in north east part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was considered urban, trade, communication, industry, health, educational, sport, culture and tourist centre of wide region of Birc and Podrinje.
The town itself, with its various architecture, as an expression of different styles through centuries, as well as the different cultures of the citizens from more of 30 municipalities who found their resort in Zvornik, was imposed to the travelers – passers as very special. It is situated by left coast of the beautiful river Drina which was for many centuries inspiration for many people. Zvornik is in the frames of modern urban civilization small town, but regarding demands of modern way of life, still contemporary town.
Graphic realization: Bozidar Dosenovic and Nebojsa Djumic
Printing house: POSTE SRPSKE, Banjaluka
