Pekijada Puts Oćevija’s Legendary Culinary Heritage in the Global Spotlight

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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August 10, 2026 10:19 GMT+5:30

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The tale of tourism which the village of Vareš, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has now provided is one which has put a sleepy mountain village right at the centre of everyone’s attention. The 10th Pekijada was held at Oćevija, involving 37 teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia in the challenge of cooking traditional food using peka. This event transformed the cuisine, craft skills and natural beauty of the area into a tourism package. Oćevija offers its tourists the best of food, craft, nature and history in one single journey.

Vareš Turns Food Into a Tourism Attraction

Pekijada is more than a cooking competition. For visitors, it creates an entry point into the cultural landscape of Vareš, a destination known for its mining history, mountain setting, traditional food and historic villages. The competition brought together teams from four countries, giving the event a distinctly regional tourism character.

Visitors could watch meat and vegetable dishes being prepared under the peka, sample local delicacies and explore forged vessels used for preparing food.

Oćevija’s Ancient Iron Story Steals the Spotlight

Oćevija becomes particularly interesting for cultural travellers. The village is recognised as the last place in Europe where iron is still forged using traditional pre-industrial methods powered by water. The practice dates back more than 800 years, and the surviving forges, known locally as maidans, are national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Three active blacksmiths continue the craft, producing agricultural tools and traditional cooking vessels. The forges are powered by water from the Oćevica River, linking industrial heritage directly with the natural environment.

A Riverside Escape With More Than Food

Oćevija is also positioned as a nature-based excursion. The Banje picnic area hosts Pekijada and sits among drinking-water and thermal springs. The local tourism authority records an average drinking-water spring capacity of 120 litres per second, while two nearby thermal springs have a temperature of 24.8°C.

The Oćevica River flows towards the Krivaja, adding a natural element to the heritage experience.

Author’s Point of View

The tourism value of Pekijada lies in how naturally it connects food, heritage, craftsmanship and outdoor recreation. The event gives regional travellers a reason to visit Vareš while encouraging exploration beyond the competition. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, festivals like this can strengthen rural and cultural tourism by turning living traditions into visitor experiences without removing them from their original setting. Oćevija’s water-powered forges make the destination distinctive, while its food traditions provide an accessible reason for first-time visitors to explore.

Travel Guide to Oćevija and Vareš

Vareš is in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Zenica-Doboj Canton. Sarajevo International Airport is the nearest major airport, about 51 kilometres by road from Vareš. Tuzla International Airport is another option at roughly 79 kilometres by road.

Rail travel requires more planning. Vareš has historic railway infrastructure, including Vareš-Majdan, but regular passenger services should not be assumed. A special Sarajevo-Vareš tourist train operated in 2025 on request rather than as part of the regular timetable. Travellers should check current railway arrangements before planning a rail journey.

The local currency is the convertible mark, or BAM/KM. Visitors can combine Oćevija with Vareš’s historic centre, the old stone bridge, Bobovac and nearby hiking routes.

Key Stats

• 37 teams participated.
• Four countries were represented.
• 10th edition of Pekijada.
• Three active traditional forges remain in Oćevija.
• Sarajevo International Airport is about 51 kilometres by road from Vareš.
• Two thermal springs reach 24.8°C.

FAQ

1. Where is Pekijada held?
Pekijada takes place in Oćevija, a village in the Vareš municipality of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2. What makes Oćevija special for tourists?
Its water-powered traditional iron forges, more than 800 years of heritage, natural setting and local gastronomy make it distinctive.

3. What can travellers see near Vareš?
Visitors can explore Oćevija’s forges, Bobovac, historic churches, the Stavnja stone bridge and nearby hiking and cycling routes.

Timeline and Events

10th edition: Pekijada brought 37 teams from four countries to Oćevija.

800+ years: Traditional water-powered iron forging has continued in Oćevija.

2025: A special Sarajevo-Vareš tourist train operated on request.

Conclusion

The example of Vareš and Oćevija proves that even small tourism can create an excellent impression if it is done authentically. The local culinary tradition in the form of Pekijada becomes highlighted in this case, and the forges of the town driven by the energy of water become a unique glimpse into the industrial history of Europe. With the addition of picturesque mountain landscapes, thermal springs, cultural monuments and proximity to Sarajevo, it creates a much more appealing picture than just another dot on the map.