BEREG AND PRŠIN POTOK WATERFALLS - UNPOLISHED DIAMONDS OF SRPSKA

ROGATICA, OCTOBER 26 /SRNA/ – The eastern part of Republika Srpska, like the rest of it, abounds in tourist potential, and among the unpolished diamonds of the Rogatica Municipality’s tourism offer are the Bereg and Pršin Potok waterfalls.

Slobodan Brkić from the Rogatica Tourist Organization emphasized that the Bereg Waterfall is a place where, in a harmonious natural embrace, the Bereg River, which springs about eight kilometers upstream, meets the Rakitnica River, whose source adorns the village of the same name, only a few kilometers from the waterfall itself. "Rakitnica is much smaller than Bereg and flows in from the side, practically emptying into Bereg, and its course is much shorter. Bereg, on the other hand, is longer and flows straight. They join at the Bereg Waterfall. What is unusual is that the river from that point on is called Rakitnica — I think it should have been called Bereg," Brkić told SRNA. MAJESTIC ROCK IN THE SHAPE OF A HUMAN FACE At the magical Bereg Waterfall, visitors are greeted not only by the surreal sight of crystal-clear water cascading over greenish rocks, but also by a majestic rock in the shape of a human face — as if nature itself had impressed its mysterious artwork into stone. This unexplored gem of Rogatica’s tourist offer is increasingly capturing the hearts of nature lovers, adventurers, and photographers seeking places of untouched beauty and profound peace. "It’s as if the rock is watching those who litter, warning them not to do so, reminding everyone to preserve nature as clean as it is now," Brkić noted. Smaller yet equally enchanting natural jewels can be found in the upper course of the Rakitnica River — natural bridges formed by fallen tree trunks across the crystal-clear riverbed. Though not entirely safe, these moss-covered, greenery-clad bridges offer visitors a unique experience of crossing from one riverbank to another — as if walking over nature’s own hand leading them into a new adventure. The untouched nature of this part of Rogatica leaves no one indifferent , something the SRNA news agency team witnessed firsthand. Every visitor stepping into these idyllic landscapes can enjoy the blessings of pure, wild nature. On this occasion, Brkić explained in an interesting way that visitors can drink water straight from the crystal-clear river, taste various forest fruits, and, to the surprise of many, even eat fresh nettles, known locally as “žara”, which grow abundantly in these parts. "You pick the top of the nettle and twist it gently with your hand from the outside so it doesn’t sting or burn — then squeeze it, and it can be eaten raw, which is the healthiest way," he explained. NATIVE TROUT AND GRAYLING, AS WELL AS CRAYFISH AND MINNOWS The purity of the Rakitnica River is best reflected in its wildlife — it is home to native species of trout and grayling, and in some areas, river crayfish and minnows can also be found. Brkić noted that the Sports Fishing Association "Bereg" from Rogatica stocks the Rakitnica River once a year, though there are no designated fishing spots. "However, the Rakitnica is accessible almost everywhere, so it’s possible to fish along most of its course," Brkić said. THE WATERFALL AND SUMMER OASIS OF COOLNESS He added that the waterfall can be reached by turning off the main Rogatica–Sarajevo road, from Rogatica towards the villages of Bukrići, Guždelji, and Rakitnica — the latter about ten kilometers from Rogatica. "Take the road to Rakitnica village, and before entering it, near the first bridge, you can leave your car and walk about 50 meters to the waterfall itself," Brkić explained. He said that until a few years ago, Bereg was known only to local residents, but after receiving some media attention, it became a popular destination for tourists visiting eastern Republika Srpska. "It’s very popular during summer — even on the hottest days, the air under the waterfall is noticeably cooler, up to ten degrees lower than the surrounding temperature," Brkić said. According to him, both local and passing visitors from all parts of Republika Srpska and the region come to see the waterfall, and Rogatica residents are always happy to act as guides. "The waterfall is marked on Google Maps, so people can easily find it on their own, and the Tourist Organization is planning to mark and improve the site soon to make access even easier," Brkić noted. The full feature report is available on SRNA’s YouTube channel.