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TRAVEL GUIDE
To the International Youth Festival
in Medjugorje, Bosnia & Herzegovina
What is the International Youth Festival
or "Mladifest"?
Starting in 1989, Medjugorje in Bosnia & Herzegovina has been the host for the International Youth Festival also called "Mladifest", every first week of August.
Over the years, the festival has seen many notable guests including Cardinal Robert Sarah and Jim Wahlberg, in addition to the 50,000 youth that come, and close to 500 priests every year. Cardinal Sarah (in 2021) even brought a special message to the youth gathered there from Pope Francis.
I have been to the festival twice myself, and am returning this summer for a third time.
The atmosphere is somehow filled with an otherwordly peace perfectly accompanying the ecstatic energy of the youth filling the streets.
The Mladifest is something I would strongly recommend adding to your bucket list!
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What to Pack & What to Buy
What to Pack:
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Shoes!
If you plan on climbing Apparition Hill or Cross Mountain during your time in Medjugorje (which you should!), don't be too attached to your pair of shoes. They will be covered in red mud and be unrecognizable by the end of the trip.
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Clothing
At this time of the year in Bosnia, it is very hot and humid. Most places have air conditioning, but usually not on very high. Much of the day is spent outside, so it is crucial to bring the right kind of clothing.
Not all places have laundry facilities, so be prepared to perhaps bring multiple changes of clothing (or to wash your clothes in a sink).
On the church grounds, there is a dress code. It doesn't appear to be strictly enforced (I've never personally seen anyone get 'told off' for the way they dressed), however, it is good to be respectful of the rules. Overall, breezy light clothes that are modest will work almost anywhere! And if you forget your long breezy skirts or sundresses, they are for sale almost anywhere nearby! Sunglasses and a hat will not go amiss either!
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Money!
I would strongly suggest getting majority euros for the trip. Exchange rates can be complicated, and you may end up losing money somehow, especially if you use dollars! Some places, like most taxis, prefer euros or the local currency (KM-"marks"). The further you go outside of Medjugorje the less likely that they will be accommodating.
That being said, I would say since Medjugorje is filled to the brim daily with pilgrims from all around the world, most places accept most currencies in the town. I would caution on relying on this, and be prepared with euros or KM's to be on the safe side!
What to Buy:
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Radio, Headphones, Batteries
The evening program is typically all said in Croatian (Hrvatski), and often has speakers or priests speaking in other languages. Radio Mir has translations available in many languages so pilgrims can listen in their own language while in the audience at the program.
Radios can be found at almost any store around the Parish. I would be careful in getting one that is too cheap, as it will easily break (or not work). I would suggest getting one that comes with its own batteries, and headphones if you don't have any with you.
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Foam Kneeler
At almost any store one can find foam kneelers that come in handy when kneeling in prayer at the evening program which is outside, or on top of Cross Mountain or Apparition Hill!
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Holy Items to be Blessed
Medals, necklaces, bracelets, rosaries, scapulars are items also seen everywhere in Medjugorje. After every evening program the priest blesses the Holy Items. Additionally, every now and then (usually after the English mass, for English-speaking pilgrims), a priest will offer special blessings for Holy Water, Scapulars, Holy Salt, etc.
Getting to Medjugorje
There are several different airports one use to get to Medjugorje. The main differences are travel requirements (and during this time COVID requirements) as well as a difference in culture, based on whether the airport is in Bosnia or in Croatia, as well as slight differences in driving times.
Apart from the three listed, there is a small airport in Mostar that takes small flights only from certain locations. This airport is around a 30 minute drive from Medjugorje.
Dubrovnik coast
Split, Croatia is around an hour and 45 minute drive from Medjugorje. I have never been to this airport and the website seems to be a bit confusing, but I've never heard anything bad about it either. It seems to be the shortest drive to Medjugorje, which is definitely a positive.
This is the airport I have flown in and out of each time going to Medjugorje. It is also in Croatia and about a two and a half hour drive (which also goes in and out of border crossings a few times). The airport can be confusing in terms of communication (especially when departing) so make sure to be early for your flight when leaving.
Sarajevo, Bosnia is around a two hour and 45 minute drive from Medjugorje. Again, I have not flown into this airport, many do coming to Medjugorje. It seems that there was no problems, and depending on which way you drive, it seems as if there would be no border crossing. Border crossing, depending on the traffic and time of day can take up to an hour at each one (or can be very quick, again, depending on traffic). This would add some time to some of these other routes that come from Croatia, and would make this route from Bosnia more appealing.
Note: when driving through borders, you will have to give your passports to be checked and stamped by the agents, so make sure you have those as well as COVID necessities ready!
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Where to Stay
Where you choose to stay in Medjugorje ultimately depends on two things: the level of comfort you seek, and the location. Price and availability have their influences as always, but there is enough variety in lodging in Medjugorje that you will likely be able to find something exactly to what you want...as long as there is space available.
During the Youth Festival places are booked out months ahead, so it's important to book a place far ahead of time, especially if you want to get one that is sufficient for all your needs.
From Irish Centre Website
Here are a couple suggestions to get you started:
Again, there are many places one can stay in Medjugorje, with such an incredible variety, so I will only touch on the two places I have stayed, and sources for other places.
Irish Centre:
The first time I stayed in Medjugorje we stayed at the Irish Centre. The location is perfect, right behind St. James Church and great access to the shops and restaurants. It's right in the middle of everything. They have recently come out with a new website, media, and deals! They also have a Hotel option that is a little further from the Parish.
Pansion Obala:
The second (and previous) time I stayed in Medjugorje, we stayed at this little "Pansion" (essentially translates to 'boarding house'). The house is located right across the street from the Parish with a perfect view of the courtyard in front of the Church and surrounding shops from the balconies.
Again, if you would prefer to be closer to Cross Mountain, or Apparition Hill and the Blue Cross, there are plenty of other lodging near those. However, both times I have stayed close to the Parish, and I highly recommend it for ease in being able to go in and out during the day!
For information on the other available lodging in and around Medjugorje, Booking.com is a great source (or just a Google search!).
View from Pansion Obala balcony
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In Medjugorje & Festival Schedule
It seems there is always something to do in Medjugorje! Mass is available daily in different languages throughout the morning. There's afternoon silent adoration in the adoration chapel. The evening program begins at 6pm and ends around 9 or 10 pm each night.
The evening program consists of the Rosary (with confessions available outside around the Parish -- these cannot be missed, the priests are everywhere with lines waiting to go to confession). Then mass in Croatian begins at 7pm (bring your radios!), followed by blessing of the objects, usually adoration with a bit of music, followed by a 'concert' afterwards with singing and dancing for the Youth Festival.
Cardinal Robert Sarah celebrating the opening mass at Mladifest 2021
Apart from these Parish events, there is plenty to do during your free time in Medjugorje! English-speaking pilgrims are often invited to be in the audience for talk shows recorded at MaryTV, and receive a tour of the studios (the channel is all English).
One can visit the Risen Christ statue on the grounds of the parish, take a hike up Apparition Hill, or a more difficult trek up Cross Mountain. The Cenacolo community (for those recovering from addiction) often has testimonies, tours, and speakers that are quite powerful and are open to visitors. Occasionally they put on a play of the Passion of Jesus Christ, which is very moving!
Other notable sites in Medjugorje would are Mary's Meals, Mother's Village and the St. Francis Garden, and the graveyard where Fr. Slavko Barbaric is buried (behind the Parish).
Only a twenty-minute drive away are the Kravica Waterfalls! Here, one is able to swim, kayak, paddleboard, and get great photos of these amazing waterfalls. There are a couple of restaurants on the site, and incredible diversity in culture as tourists from around the world mix with the locals of Bosnia.
Kravica Waterfalls
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I highly recommend making the trip to this festival. There is such an incredible variety of things to see and do, and people to meet. It is a life-changing experience whether or not one is even Catholic.
If you would like to view more of the photos I have taken in Medjugorje, you can view those here.
I wish you safe travels on all of your journeys!
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