Tekija Spring

Tekija Spring is the best-known of the springs of Hrvatska Kostajnica, a small town on the Una river in the Banovina region of central Croatia, directly on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Kostajnica’s best-known spring lies at a peaceful spot near the town, and it is a place with a name, a legend and a long history of people stopping to drink.

The name itself carries information. A tekija is a dervish lodge, a house where members of a Sufi Muslim order lived and prayed, and the word entered the local language in the Ottoman period. Kostajnica was under Ottoman rule for about a century and a half, from the sixteenth century into the early eighteenth, and traces of that time remain in place names, in the layout of the old town and in the memory of the community. A spring called Tekija is therefore a reminder that the town was once part of a different world, with different customs and faiths, and that water has always been a gathering point regardless of who ruled the land. The use of the name in the present day reflects the way layers of history are carried in everyday words.

The spring itself is simple. Clear, cold water flows from the ground and is channelled into a spout or basin, and a stone wall frames it, with an inscription of welcome that invites passers-by to stop and drink. The surroundings are green, shaded by trees and quiet, a short walk from the town centre. It is the most famous of several springs in the area, and local people use it regularly to fill bottles, finding the water sweet and refreshing. A visit is brief, usually less than an hour, a matter of a drink, a rest and a look at the setting.

Folklore adds to the charm. According to a local belief, anyone who drinks from the Tekija spring is certain to come back to Kostajnica, so a sip is both a refreshment and a promise. Such stories are told about springs and fountains in many parts of the world, and they say something about how a place wishes to be remembered. Visitors often take the legend in the playful spirit in which it is told.

Other places in Hrvatska Kostajnica can be combined with a visit. The town has a promenade along the Una, a historic centre with remains of its fortifications, the Djed Hill Forest Park for walks, the remains of the parish church of St. Nicholas and the Slomljeni Pejzaž memorial. Lenac Farmers Market, where pumpkin and chestnut products are made, is another stop.

The spring is free and open at all times. It suits walkers, families and anyone interested in local lore. Bring a bottle, and treat the spot with respect.