While most cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are struggling this December with heavy fog, smog, and warnings about polluted air, the far south of Republika Srpska is breathing freely.
Sarajevo, Banjaluka, Tuzla, and Zenica have spent days under a grey blanket, but in Trebinje the skies are clear, temperatures mild, and the familiar Mediterranean climate dominates.
Instead of the smell of smog, the air carries the scent of the sea and pine trees, with warmth rising from stone heated by the sun.
Parks, squares, and promenades are full of people.
This December, the streets of Trebinje are alive. Café terraces are full, conversations take place in the sun, and the unhurried steps of passers-by blend with the rhythm of a city that does not know stress.
While other cities measure particles in the air, the people of Trebinje measure hours spent outdoors.
This climate is not just a meteorological advantage but a way of life. Trebinje is a city where one can truly breathe – both literally and symbolically. A city not burdened by chimneys and boilers, but open toward the sea and the south, to the sunshine and winds that keep its skies clear.
It is no surprise that Trebinje is increasingly becoming a refuge for those escaping pollution, stress, and enclosed spaces. At a time when clean air has become a luxury in many cities, Trebinje remains a reminder of what everyday life looks like without masks, without warnings, and without grey skies.
In December, when most of Bosnia and Herzegovina coughs – Trebinje breathes.
Source: See Srpska
