Discover Nova Bila and find hotels

Get to know Nova Bila through its distinctive local features: the Bila and Lašva rivers, the parish church and cultural institutions. The town also has a historical connection to healthcare and a cycling and walking trail linking Nova Bila with Stara Bila. If you’re looking for a hotel for your trip, you can first decide whether you’d like to focus on local history, culture or outdoor activities.

River landscape and trails

The Bila rises on the slopes of Vlašić and flows into the Lašva in Nova Bila. Its source and confluence provide two distinct geographical reference points: its source lies on the slopes of Vlašić, and it joins the Lašva in Nova Bila. The town can also be understood through the course of the river that shares its name.

The “Staza stare pruge – Old Rail Trail” cycling and walking trail connects Busovača and Turbe; the section between Stara Bila and Nova Bila has been developed. The trail description thus covers a route linking several places, as well as a specifically named section. If you’re planning a trip, check the current conditions and route information beforehand.

Local history and landmarks

The Franjevačka bolnica dr. fra Mate Nikolića was established on December 15, 1992, in the complex of the pastoral center in Nova Bila. It is named after fra Mate Nikolić, considered the first physician to earn a doctorate in the history of healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He graduated in medicine in Feldesberg in 1807. The institution’s history is therefore tied to a specific place and a namesake whose life story began long before it was established.

The Parish of the Holy Spirit in Nova Bila was established on August 25, 1974. The parish church was largely completed in 1977. During the recent war, the church and rectory also served as a hospital. After the war, the church was restored; the new stained-glass windows were created by artist Đuro Seder. Its founding, construction, later use and artistic design offer different points of interest for anyone interested in the town’s history.

Culture and events

The Hrvatski kulturni centar Nova Bila has a concert hall. The building is also home to Kazalište mladih Korifej Nova Bila. The hall and the youth theater represent two different cultural attractions in the same place. If you’re planning to attend an event, check the current program and access information beforehand; both may change.

The “Zvonko Gučanin Tajo” Memorial March also links an event to a specific route. The fourth edition was organized on March 22, 2025, in Pokrajčići by the Hrvatska ekološka planinarska udruga “Sveti duh” Nova Bila. The march included a moderately difficult climb to Brdo Križ and started in the Površje area near Pokrajčići. For any future edition, check the date and route information again. This keeps the event date and route description specific to the documented 2025 edition.

When planning your trip, you can consider these themes separately: the river landscape and trail offer a connection to nature and outdoor activities, while the church, cultural center and history of the Franjevačka bolnica appeal to different cultural and historical interests. Discover more destinations: Vitez, Bugojno, Milanovići, Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje, Travnik, Fojnica, Kreševo, Jajce.

For the broader travel overview: Central Bosnia Canton.