Tanner's Mortar

Discover the unique Tabačka Stupa in Visoko, the only preserved tanner's column in the Balkans, a symbol of the town's deep-rooted history in leather craftsmanship. This remarkable structure, dating back to the 14th century, marks Visoko's centuries-old connection with leather processing. Owned by the Zavičajni Muzej Visoko, it proudly stands in the city center as a fascinating exhibit. The Tabačka Stupa, essential in the traditional leather tanning process, operated on water power along the Fojnica River, utilizing natural tanning materials like sumac leaves, bark, and oak galls. This process was crucial in creating soft sheep and goat leathers as well as tougher cow hides. Historically, Visoko's leather tanning tradition possibly originated from North Africa or was brought by the Budimlije from Hungary. The Ottoman Empire further developed it into a strategic industry. Visoko, renowned for its related crafts like shoemaking and leather goods, transitioned from traditional to industrial leather processing post-World War II. Today, Tabačka Stupa stands as a testament to these enduring crafts and traditions, a must-visit for those intrigued by the rich cultural and industrial heritage of Visoko and Bosnia and Herzegovina