| Novi Travnik | |
| Native Name: | Нови Травник |
| Official Name: | Grad Novi Travnik Град Нови Травник City of Novi Travnik |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Pushpin Map: | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Coordinates: | 44.1748°N 17.6634°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | Entity |
| Subdivision Name1: | Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Subdivision Type2: | Canton |
| Leader Party: | HDZ BiH |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Stjepan Dujo |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Total Km2: | 242 |
| Area Land Km2: | 242 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0 |
| Population As Of: | 2013 |
| Population Total: | 25107 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone1: | CET |
| Utc Offset1: | +1 |
| Timezone1 Dst: | CEST |
| Utc Offset1 Dst: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Post code |
| Postal Code: | 72290 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | +387 030 |
| Total Type: | Municipality |
| Population Urban: | 9008 |
Novi Travnik (Serbian Cyrillic: Нови Травник) is a city located in the Central Bosnia Canton within the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As of the 2013 census, it had a population of 9,008, while the entire municipality had 23,832 inhabitants. The city is known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse demographic composition, primarily consisting of Bosniaks and Croats.[1]
Novi Travnik was renamed "Pucarevo" in 1980 to honor Đuro Pucar, a key Yugoslav communist leader. This name change reflected the socialist values of the time. However, in 1992, with the breakup of Yugoslavia and the beginning of the Bosnian War, the town's original name, Novi Travnik, was restored, symbolizing a return to its local heritage and identity.[2]
Novi Travnik, established in 1949, emerged during the period of Socialist Yugoslavia as part of a broader plan to industrialize the region. Its development was centered on creating a hub for manufacturing, particularly in the fields of metalworking and heavy machinery. A key part of this initiative was the construction of the MMK Bratstvo factory, which produced arms and other industrial equipment, making Novi Travnik a significant center for production during the Yugoslav era.
The town's name, "Novi Travnik," translates to "New Travnik" and reflects its role as a counterpart to the nearby town of Travnik. While Travnik served as a cultural and administrative center, Novi Travnik focused on modern industry[3]
During the Bosnian War in the 1990s, Novi Travnik experienced fierce fighting as it became a contested area between different factions. The conflict, especially in June 1993, saw clashes between the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH) and the Croatian Defense Council (HVO), highlighting the town's strategic significance. This period brought significant hardship to the town, altering its demographics and social landscape. The war created deep divides between the Bosniak (Muslim) and Croat populations, leading to long-lasting tensions even after the conflict ended.
While the town has since rebuilt and evolved, its population remains predominantly Bosniak and Croat, though there is now a bit more diversity. The impact of its industrial roots and war-time history continue to shape its identity today.
As of January 2015, the municipality has nine National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina,[4] among which are seven stećak necropolises, one mosque and the Necropolis for the victims of Fascism.
| census year | 2013 | 1991[5] | 1981 | 1971 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosniaks | 12,067 (50.63%) | 11,625 (37.85%) | 9,164 (35.03%) | 8,200 (35.89%) | ||
| Croats | 11,002 (46.16%) | 12,162 (39.59%) | 10,548 (40.33%) | 9,852 (43.12%) | ||
| Serbs | 367 (1.53%) | 4,097 (13.33%) | 3,521 (13.46%) | 4,129 (18.07%) | ||
| Yugoslavs by nat. | 2,132 (6.94%) | 2,308 (8.82%) | 301 (1.31%) | |||
| others and unknown | 396 (1.66%) | 697 (2.26%) | 613 (2.34%) | 365 (1.59%) | ||
| style="background:style=;"background-color:#F5DEB3;" | total | 23,832 | 30,713 | 26,154 | 22,847 |
| census year | 2013 | 1991 | 1981 | 1971 | - | Serbs | 3,200 (27.77%) | 2,464 (29.08%) | 2,897 (43.36%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosniaks | 3,176 (27.56%) | 1,783 (21.04%) | 1,415 (21.17%) | |||||||
| Croats | 2,751 (23.87%) | 1,985 (23.42%) | 1,778 (26.61%) | |||||||
| Yugoslavs by nat. | (N/A) | 1,887 (16.37%) | 1,899 (22.41%) | 275 (4.11%) | ||||||
| others and unknown | 508 (4.40%) | 342 (4.03%) | 316 (4.72%) | |||||||
| style="background:style=;"background-color:#F5DEB3;" | total | 9,008 | 11,522 | 8,473 | 6,681 |
Novi Travnik was established in 1949 to accommodate workers from the MMK Bratstvo factory, which became a vital part of the town's economy. By the late 1980s, the factory employed over 7,000 people, making Novi Travnik one of the most prosperous towns in the former Yugoslavia. However, the Yugoslav Wars significantly disrupted life in the area. The economy of Novi Travnik was greatly dependent on the MMK Bratstvo factory which was almost completely destroyed during the war, especially after a Serb air attack on 28 February 1994
In the aftermath of the war, much of MMK Bratstvo was privatized, leading to the rise of smaller companies like Cimos and ADK, which focus on automotive and manufacturing sectors. The shoe industry has also seen considerable growth, employing over 1,000 people across various local firms. Since 2015, a new industrial zone has been developed outside the town center to attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth. Key players in the local retail market include HARI Ltd., Agrokor's Konzum, and several other locally operated stores, contributing to a more diverse economy