Trebišnjica River, Trebinje

Trebišnjica River, once Europe's longest sinking river, a clear river flowing through the very centre of town.

The Trebišnjica runs for about 96.5 kilometres above ground and about 187 kilometres including its underground courses. Before the hydroelectric dams were built it was considered Europe's longest sinking river. Its waters cross the Gacko, Cernica and Fatnica karst fields, disappear into sinkholes and rise again south of Bileća; part of them even reappears as the source of the Ombla near Dubrovnik.

Through Trebinje it flows calm and clear, which makes it great for rowing, diving and fishing. It is home to the endemic Gaovica fish and to the famous olm, the "human fish" of its underground waters. The banks are linked by the Arslanagić Bridge, the Ivo Andrić Bridge and the Stone Bridge.

The town's favourite picnic spots, Studenac and Lastva, lie along the river, and in summer locals swim right in town, below the walls of the Old Town.

Getting there

It flows through the very centre, along the Old Town walls.

The Studenac and Lastva picnic grounds are upstream, a short drive from the centre.

• In summer, try an evening swim below the Old Town walls
• Walk along the bank to the Arslanagić Bridge