550th Anniversary of Herzegovina

A greater part of Herzegovina in the 10th century, from Dubrovnik to the river Neretva, was the region of ZAHUMLJE with the towns of Ston, Ošlje, Glumina, Dabar and Mokro. The priest known under the name of Pop Dukljanin used the name Hum for the same region two centuries later. In the medieval charters and deeds of gift we come upon the name Humska Zemlja (the Hum country or land). The outstanding figure of the 15th century in Hum was Stjepan Vukčić Kosača (1405-1466), the son of Vukac Hranić. After the death of his uncle Sandalj Hranić, Stjepan Vukčić started considering himself the heir to his uncle's title and asked to be called "grand-duke of Bosnia", though he was only called duke by the citizens of Dubrovnik. In 1448 Stjepan Vukčić Kosača took the title of Herzeg (a local meaning for duke).

There is a possibility that it was also due to the role of the Turks at that time, because on one occasion the citizens of Dubrovnik said about him: ". ..if one who has been awarded the title of Herzeg by the Turks may be actually called Herzeg." Stjepan Vukčić Kosača took the title Herzeg in the first half of October 1448, because it is known that he was congratulated by the Dubrovnik Council on that ducal honour (et congratulandi de nova dignitate cherzech acquisita). Herceg Stjepan Vukčić was at first only Herzeg of Hum and Primorje, and starting with April 1449 he also became Herzeg of St. Sava, in historical documents under the name Ducatus Sancti Sabbae. Soon afterwards the whole country that was ruled by Herzeg Stjepan Vukčić Kosača started being referred to as the Herzeg's country, and the name Herzegovina first appeared in a letter written by Isa-Bey Ishakovich. Herzeg Stjepan Vukcčić Kosača has left memorable traces in the Herzegovian tradition.