Smjerove

Smjerove (Serbian Cyrillic: Смјерове) is a small settlement located in the municipality of Sokolac in the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The village lies at an altitude of approximately 530 meters above sea level, in a valley overlooking the Bosna River. Its coordinates are 44° 32′ N latitude and 19° 32′ E longitude.

The population of Smjerove was recorded at 248 individuals according to the 2013 national census. The demographic composition is predominantly ethnic Serb, with a minority of Bosniak families. The majority of residents are engaged in small-scale agriculture, animal husbandry, and forestry. Over the past decade, migration to urban centers has caused a slight decline in the village’s population.

Smjerove has a long history that dates back to the Ottoman period in the 16th century. Historical documents suggest that the settlement was first mentioned in an Ottoman tax registry as a small hamlet within the Sanjak of Bosnia. After the Austro-Hungarian annexation, the village saw modest development, with the construction of a primary school and a community centre in the early 20th century.

The local economy is primarily based on subsistence farming, with cultivated crops such as wheat, barley, and potatoes. Livestock, particularly sheep and cattle, are raised for both dairy and meat production. In recent years, small-scale beekeeping and the cultivation of medicinal herbs have been introduced as alternative sources of income.

Notable landmarks include the Church of Saint Nicholas, a wooden structure built in 1893, and a roadside monument commemorating World War II local soldiers. Smjerove also hosts an annual harvest festival in late September, which attracts visitors from neighboring villages and serves to preserve traditional folk music, dance, and cuisine.