Banja Luka

The name Banja Luka was first mentioned in a document dated to 6 February 1494 by Ladislaus II of Hungary. The name is interpreted as the 'Ban's meadow', from the words ban (a medieval noble title), and luka ('valley' or 'meadow'). The identity of the ban and the meadow in question remains uncertain, and popular etymology combines the modern words banja ('bath' or 'spa'), or bajna ('marvelous') and luka ('port'). A different interpretation is suggested by the Hungarian name Lukácsbánya, in English 'Luke's Mine'. In modern usage, the name is pronounced and occasionally written as one word (Banjaluka).[http://www.bosnia.org.uk/bosrep/report_format.cfm?articleID=786&reportid=151 Ivan Lovrenović, " 'Serb' towns in Bosnia"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928031032/http://www.bosnia.org.uk/bosrep/report_format.cfm?articleID=786&reportid=151 |date=28 September 2007 }}, BH Dani, 20 July 2001

Banja Luka covers some {{cvt|96.2|km2|sqmi}} of land in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is situated on both banks of the Vrbas in the Banja Luka valley, which is characteristically flat within the otherwise hilly region. Banja Luka's centre lies {{cvt|163|m|2}} above sea level.

The source of the Vrbas River is about {{cvt|90|km}} to the south at the Vranica mountain. Its tributaries—the Suturlija, the Crkvena, and the Vrbanja—flow into the Vrbas at various points in the city. A number of springs can be found nearby.

The area around Banja Luka is mostly woodland and acre fields, although there are many mountains further from the city, especially south from the city. The most notable of these mountains are Ponir (743 m), Osmača (950 m), Manjača (1,214 m), Čemernica (1,338 m), and Tisovac (1,173 m). These are all part of the Dinaric Alps mountain range.

The city of Banja Luka (aside from city proper) includes the following settlements:

{{flatlist|

• Agino Selo
• Barlovci
• Bastasi
• Bistrica
• Bočac
• Borkovići
• Bronzani Majdan
• Cerici
• Čokori
• Debeljaci
• Dobrnja
• Dragočaj
• Drakulić
• Dujakovci
• Goleši
• Jagare
• Kmećani
• Kola
• Kola Donja
• Krmine
• Krupa na Vrbasu
• Kuljani
• Lokvari
• Lusići
• Ljubačevo
• Melina
• Motike
• Obrovac
• Pavići
• Pavlovac
• Pervan Donji
• Pervan Gornji
• Piskavica
• Ponir
• Potkozarje
• Prijakovci
• Priječani
• Prnjavor Mali
• Radmanići
• Radosavska
• Ramići
• Rekavice
• Slavićka
• Stratinska
• Stričići
• Subotica
• Šargovac
• Šimići
• Šljivno
• Verići
• Vilusi
• Zalužani
• Zelenci

}}

File:Споменик парковске архитектуре „Универзитетски град".jpg

Banja Luka has a moderate humid subtropical climate with mild winters, infrequent frosts, and warm summers. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of {{cvt|22.5|C}}. The coldest month of the year is January, when temperatures average around {{cvt|1.3|C}}.

The annual precipitation for the city is about {{cvt|1047.5|mm|0|abbr=off}}. Banja Luka has an average of 104 rainy days a year. Due to the city's relatively high latitude and inland location, it snows in Banja Luka almost every year during the winter period. Strong winds can come from the north and northeast. Sometimes, southern winds bring hot air from the Adriatic sea.

Highest recorded temperature: {{cvt|41.8|C|F|abbr=on}} on 10 August 2017

Lowest recorded temperature:{{cvt|-23.5|C|F|abbr=on}} on 15 January 2003

{{Weather box

|collapsed = yes

|width = auto

|location = Banja Luka (1991–2020, extremes 1973–2020)

|metric first = Y

|single line = Y

|Jan record high C = 22.3

|Feb record high C = 25.2

|Mar record high C = 29.0

|Apr record high C = 31.8

|May record high C = 35.2

|Jun record high C = 37.9

|Jul record high C = 41.6

|Aug record high C = 41.8

|Sep record high C = 40.2

|Oct record high C = 30.9

|Nov record high C = 29.1

|Dec record high C = 23.2

|year record high C =

|Jan high C = 6.1

|Feb high C = 8.9

|Mar high C = 14.0

|Apr high C = 19.0

|May high C = 23.4

|Jun high C = 27.3

|Jul high C = 29.5

|Aug high C = 29.8

|Sep high C = 24.0

|Oct high C = 18.6

|Nov high C = 12.4

|Dec high C = 6.7

|year high C =

|Jan mean C = 1.3

|Feb mean C = 3.0

|Mar mean C = 7.4

|Apr mean C = 12.1

|May mean C = 16.7

|Jun mean C = 20.8

|Jul mean C = 22.5

|Aug mean C = 22.1

|Sep mean C = 16.7

|Oct mean C = 11.9

|Nov mean C = 7.1

|Dec mean C = 2.3

|year mean C =

|Jan low C = -2.5

|Feb low C = -1.7

|Mar low C = 1.8

|Apr low C = 5.9

|May low C = 10.3

|Jun low C = 14.2

|Jul low C = 15.8

|Aug low C = 15.6

|Sep low C = 11.3

|Oct low C = 7.0

|Nov low C = 3.1

|Dec low C = -1.2

|year low C =

|Jan record low C = -23.5

|Feb record low C = -21.5

|Mar record low C = -18.2

|Apr record low C = -5.9

|May record low C = -0.4

|Jun record low C = 3.0

|Jul record low C = 6.2

|Aug record low C = 5.6

|Sep record low C = 0.0

|Oct record low C = -6.0

|Nov record low C = -11.0

|Dec record low C = -18.8

|year record low C =

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 73.3

|Feb precipitation mm = 68.4

|Mar precipitation mm = 80.0

|Apr precipitation mm = 88.9

|May precipitation mm = 104.0

|Jun precipitation mm = 101.8

|Jul precipitation mm = 81.0

|Aug precipitation mm = 75.4

|Sep precipitation mm = 107.9

|Oct precipitation mm = 84.8

|Nov precipitation mm = 90.3

|Dec precipitation mm = 91.7

|year precipitation mm =

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 9

|Feb precipitation days = 9

|Mar precipitation days = 9.5

|Apr precipitation days = 10.4

|May precipitation days = 10.5

|Jun precipitation days = 9.2

|Jul precipitation days = 8.2

|Aug precipitation days = 6.5

|Sep precipitation days = 9

|Oct precipitation days = 8.3

|Nov precipitation days = 9.4

|Dec precipitation days = 10.2

|year precipitation days =

|Jan humidity = 82

|Feb humidity = 80

|Mar humidity = 73

|Apr humidity = 69

|May humidity = 71

|Jun humidity = 71

|Jul humidity = 70

|Aug humidity = 73

|Sep humidity = 78

|Oct humidity = 82

|Nov humidity = 84

|Dec humidity = 83

|year humidity = 76

|Jan sun = 67.2

|Feb sun = 90

|Mar sun = 140.9

|Apr sun = 175

|May sun = 222.7

|Jun sun = 253.7

|Jul sun = 285.9

|Aug sun = 264.6

|Sep sun = 181.6

|Oct sun = 136.3

|Nov sun = 75.1

|Dec sun = 55.3

|year sun =

|source 1 = NOAA NCEI{{Cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/BosniaAndHerzegovinaRepublicOfSrpska/XLS/BosniaAndHerzegovina_RepublicOfSrpska_WMO_Normals_9120.xlsx |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Banja Luka-14542 |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration |access-date=14 March 2024 |page=1 |type=Excel Workbook |format=XLSX }}

|source 2 = Deutscher Wetterdienst (extremes 1973–2016, humidity, 1973–1991){{cite web |url=http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_145420_kt.pdf |title=Klimatafel von Banja Luka/Bosnien und Herzegowina |work=Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |language=de |access-date=22 November 2016 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_145420_kt.pdf |url-status=live }}

|date=January 2011}}

File:Rijeka Krupa 222.jpg river's left tributary, the Krupa, in a protected area 30 kilometers upstream from the city]]

The history of inhabitation of the area of Banja Luka dates back to ancient times. There is substantial evidence of Roman presence in the region during the first few centuries A.D., including the fort "Kastel" ({{langx|la|Castra}}) in the centre of the city. The area comprising Banja Luka was entirely in the kingdom of Illyria and then a part of the Roman province of Illyricum, which split into provinces of Pannonia and Dalmatia of which Castra became a part. Ancient Illyrian maps call the settlement in Banja Luka's present day location as Ad Ladios,{{cite web |url=http://pleiades.stoa.org/places/197066 |title=Ad Ladios: a Pleiades place resource |website=Pleiades: a gazetteer of past places |date=23 October 2012 |access-date=15 June 2012 |archive-date=13 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213061903/http://pleiades.stoa.org/places/197066 |url-status=live }} a settlement located on the river Vrbas.

{{Further|Croatia in personal union with Hungary}}

Slavs settled in the Balkans in the 6th century. Mediaeval fortresses in the vicinity of Banja Luka include Vrbas (1224), Župa Zemljanik (1287), Kotor Varoš (1323), Zvečaj (1404), and Bočac (1446). In one document written by king

Vladislav II on 6 February 1494 Juraj Mikulasić was mentioned as castellan of Banja Luka. Below the town was a smaller settlement with one Catholic monastery.HAMDIJA KREŠEVLJAKOVIĆ

STARI BOSANSKI GRADOVI (VIEUX BOURGS BOSNIAQUES)

https://www.fmks.gov.ba/download/zzs/1953/1-1953.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918200755/https://www.fmks.gov.ba/download/zzs/1953/1-1953.pdf |date=18 September 2020 }} #page=26

File:Ферхадија (Ferhat-pasha mosque, Banja Luka, Republika Srpska).jpg, built in 1579, was demolished in 1993 during the Bosnian War.{{cite book|last1=Coward|first1=Martin|title=Urbicide: The Politics of Urban Destruction|date=30 September 2008|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-46131-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BsoYMriRoGgC&q=ferhadija+destroyed+by&pg=PA8}} It was rebuilt in 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36237014|title=Razed ancient Bosnian mosque re-opens|date=2016-05-07|work=BBC News|access-date=2018-09-06|language=en-GB}}]]

Banja Luka fell to the Ottomans in 1527. It became the seat of the Sanjak of Bosnia some time prior to 1554, until 1580 when the Bosnia Eyalet was established. Bosnian beylerbeys were seated in Banja Luka until 1639.{{cite book |author=Društvo istoričara Bosne i Hercegovine |title=Godišnjak: Annuaire |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LyQSAAAAIAAJ |year=1952 |quote=Бања Лука је постала сједиште босанског санџака нешто прије 1554 и остала то све до 1580 када је основан босански пашалук. У Бањој Луци су столовали и босански беглербези све до године 1639.}} Ferhad Pasha Sokolović, a relative of Grand Vizier Mehmed-pasha Sokolović, had upon his return to Bosnia in 1574, begun the building of over 200 buildings ranging from artisan and sales shops to wheat warehouses, baths and mosques. Among more important commissions were the Ferhadija and Arnaudija mosques during whose construction plumbing infrastructure was laid out, that served surrounding residential areas.{{cite book |last=Kolovos |first=Elias |page=192 |title=The Ottoman Empire, the Balkans, the Greek lands: toward a social and economic history: studies in honor of John C. Alexander |year=2007 |publisher=Isis Press |isbn=978-975-428-346-4}} This stimulated the economic and urban development of Banja Luka, which soon became one of the leading commercial and political centres in Bosnia. It was also the central sanjak in the Bosnia Eyalet. In 1688, the city was burned down by the Austrian army, but it quickly recovered. Later periodic intrusions by the Austrian army stimulated military developments in Banja Luka, which made it into a strategic military centre. Orthodox churches and monasteries near Banja Luka were built in the 19th century.

In the 19th century, Sephardic Jews and Trappists migrated to the city and contributed to the early industrialization of the region by building mills, breweries, brick factories, textile factories, and other important structures.{{cite book |author-last=Teinović |author-first=Bratislav |year=2018 |chapter=Trapistička opatija „Marija Zvijezda” u Banjaluci (1869–2009)/The Trappist Abbey „Marija Zvijezda” in Banjaluka (1869–2009) |chapter-url=https://www.academia.edu/63547005 |editor-last=Matijević |editor-first=Margareta |title=Trapisti u Banjoj Luci – Europa u Bosni i Hercegovini |location=Zagreb |publisher=Croatian Institute of History |language=hr |isbn=978-953-7840-07-5 |access-date=15 July 2023}} The Trappist monastery built in the 19th century lent its name to the neighbourhood of Trappisti and has left a large legacy in the area through its Trappist cheese and its beer production.{{cite journal |last1=Teinović |first1=Bratislav |title=Trapistička opatija Marija Zvijezda. Prosvjetno–kulturni svjetionik Banjaluke i Bosanske Krajine (1869–1946) |journal=Bosna Franciscana |date=2020 |issue=52 |pages=141–158 |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=874408 |access-date=7 May 2023 |language=Croatian |issn=1330-7487}}{{cite journal |last1=Teinović |first1=Bratislav |title=Privredna oaza banjalučkih trapista (1869/1878–1941.)/Oasis économique de Banja Luka trappiste (1869/78-1941) |journal=Cleuna 2, Muzej I Galerija Gorica–Livno, Livno |date=1 January 2017 |url=https://www.academia.edu/33348450 |access-date=7 May 2023}}

In 1835 and 1836, during Ottoman administration, numerous people from Banja Luka emigrated to Lešnica, Lipnica, and Loznica, the villages around Loznica, and to Šabac.Jovan Cvijić, Balkansko poluostrvo i južnoslovenske zemlje /Balkan Peninsula and South Slav Countries/ (Belgrade: Zavod za izdavanje udžbenika, 1966), pp. 151-152.

Despite its leading position in the region, Banja Luka as a city was not modernised until Austro-Hungarian occupation in the late 19th century. Railroads, schools, factories, and infrastructure appeared, and were developed, which turned Banja Luka into a modern city.

File:Саборна_црква_Христа_спаситеља_004.jpg]]

After World War I, the town became the capital of the Vrbas Banovina, a province of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

The provincial capital owed its rapid progress to the first Ban Svetislav Milosavljević. During that time, the Banski dvor and its twin sister, the Administration building, the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, a theatre and a museum were built, the Grammar School was renovated, the Teachers College enlarged, a city bridge was built and the park renovated.

125 elementary schools were functioning in Banja Luka in 1930. The revolutionary ideas of the time were incubated by the "Pelagić" association and the Students' Club. Banja Luka naturally became the organisational centre of anti-fascist work in the region.

{{Main|Genocide of Serbs in the Independent State of Croatia}}

During World War II, Banja Luka was occupied by Axis troops and was included into the Independent State of Croatia, a Nazi puppet-state led by Pavelić's Ustaše. Most of Banja Luka's Serbs and Jews were deported to concentration camps such as Jasenovac and Stara Gradiška. The Jasenovac camp was one of the largest extermination camps in Europe, which was notorious for its high mortality rate and the barbaric practices which occurred in it.{{cite book |last=Pavlowitch |first=Stevan K. |title=Hitler's New Disorder: The Second World War in Yugoslavia |publisher=Columbia University Press |location=New York |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-85065-895-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R8d2409V9tEC |page=34 |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=13 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213082915/https://books.google.com/books?id=R8d2409V9tEC |url-status=live }}{{cite journal |last=Levy |first=Michele Frucht |title="The Last Bullet for the Last Serb": The Ustaša Genocide against Serbs: 1941–1945 |journal=Nationalities Papers |volume=37 |issue=6 |pages=807–837 |year=2009 |doi=10.1080/00905990903239174 |s2cid=162231741}} On 7 February 1942, Ustaše paramilitaries, led by a Franciscan friar, Miroslav Filipović (aka Tomislav Filipović-Majstorović), killed more than 2,300 Serbs (among them 500 children) in Drakulić, Motike and Šargovac (a part of the Banja Luka municipality).{{cite web |url=http://www.rtrs.tv/vijesti/vijest.php?id=45305 |title=Radio-Televizija Republike Srpske |publisher=Rtrs.tv |date=29 August 2011 |access-date=26 March 2013 |archive-date=12 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112033218/http://www.rtrs.tv/vijesti/vijest.php?id=45305 |url-status=live }}

The city's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and Orthodox church of the Holy Trinity were totally demolished by the Ustaše, as was the Church of St. George in Petrićevac. The Bishop of Banja Luka, Platon Jovanović, was arrested by the Ustaše on 5 May 1941, and was tortured and killed. His body was thrown into the Vrbanja river.{{ cite web |url=http://www.spc.org.yu/News/novomucenici/platon_c.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061003190250/http://www.spc.org.yu/News/novomucenici/platon_c.html |title=Svestenomucenik Platon |website=spc.org.yu |archive-date=3 October 2006}} The city was liberated by the Yugoslav Partisans on 22 April 1945.

{{Main|1969 Banja Luka earthquake}}

On 26 and 27 October 1969, two devastating earthquakes (6.0 and 6.4 on the Richter scale) damaged many buildings in Banja Luka. Around 20 to 23 people were killed, and over a thousand injured.[https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazel/view/hazards/earthquake/event-data?maxYear=1969&minYear=1969&country=BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA NOAA National Geographical Data Center, Significant Earthquake Database] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422212051/https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazel/view/hazards/earthquake/event-data?maxYear=1969&minYear=1969&country=BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA |date=22 April 2021 }} states that the 15:36 26 October 1969 earthquake was 6.0 magnitude (intensity 8 Mercalli scale) and killed 14 people and causing $50 million damage, whilst the 08:10 27 October 1969 earthquake was 6.4 magnitude (intensity 9 Mercalli scale) and killed 9 people. The earthquake location was 44.9 Lat 17.3 Long on 26 October, and 44.9 Lat 17.2 Long on 27 October. Both had a focal depth of 33.

Observing our environment from space: new solutions for a new millennium, proceedings of the 21st EARSeL Symposium, Paris, France, 14–16 May 2001, edited by Gérard Bégni, pub Taylor & Francis, 2002, p267 claims that the earthquake in the vicinity of Banja Luka in 1969 had a magnitude of 6.4. (Comparison of other earthquakes mentioned shows that this is 6.4 on the Richter scale.)
[http://kpolsson.com/weather/weat1950.htm Chronology of Extreme Weather, by Ken Polsson], claims: "magnitude 6.4 earthquake occurs. 20 killed, 150 seriously injured, and 65,000 left homeless."

[http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/17799/ Sarajevo Rocked by Two Earthquakes BalkanInsight.com 31 March 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213082923/https://balkaninsight.com/newsletters/ |date=13 February 2023 }}, which claims that: "The biggest earthquake in Bosnia and Herzegovina's history took place in 26 and 27 October 1969... That tremor measured 5.4 on the Richter scale and between 7 and 8 on the Mercalli scale."
[http://gimnazijabl.rs.ba/eng/istorija.html Gymnasium Banja Luka History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706131500/http://gimnazijabl.rs.ba/eng/istorija.html |date=6 July 2011 }} claims that the 26 October 1969 earthquake had an intensity of 7.5 on the Mercalli intensity scale, whilst the 27 October 1969 earthquake had an intensity of 8.5 on the Mercalli scale. A large building called Titanik in the centre of the town was razed to the ground, and the area was later turned into a central public square.{{Cite web |last=Milojević |first=Milkica |title=UKLETO IME Kako je potonuo banjalučki TITANIK |url=https://www.blic.rs/vesti/republika-srpska/ukleto-ime-kako-je-potonuo-banjalucki-titanik/b6w52w8 |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=Blic.rs |date=27 October 2016 |language=sr |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122183815/https://www.blic.rs/vesti/republika-srpska/ukleto-ime-kako-je-potonuo-banjalucki-titanik/b6w52w8 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Banjaluka.com |date=2016-10-28 |title=Kako je potonuo banjalučki Titanik (Foto) (Video) |url=https://www.banjaluka.com/drustvo/kako-je-potonuo-banjalucki-titanik-foto-video/ |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=Banjaluka |language=bs-ba |archive-date=24 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124154432/https://www.banjaluka.com/drustvo/kako-je-potonuo-banjalucki-titanik-foto-video/ |url-status=live }} With contributions from all over Yugoslavia, Banja Luka was repaired and rebuilt. During this period a large Serb population moved to the city from the surrounding villages, and from more distant areas in Herzegovina.

File:Spomenik_Kulinu_banu_Banja_Luka.jpg

File:Pjesacka zona uz rijeku Vrbas.jpg

{{Main|Banja Luka incident}}

On 28 February 1994, an incident occurred in which four Republika Srpska Air Force aircraft, which had violated Bosnia's no-fly zone and bombed a factory, were shot down southwest of Banja Luka by planes from the United States Air Force on behalf of NATO, marking the first active combat action in the alliance's history.{{Cite web|url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-nato-military-action|title = First NATO Military Action}}

{{Main|Demographics of Banja Luka}}

File:BanjaLukabypopulation.png

The 2013 census in Bosnia indicated a population of 185,042, overwhelmingly Serbs.{{cite web |url=http://popis2013.ba/popis2013/doc/Popis2013prvoIzdanje.pdf |title=Popis 2013. |language=bs, hr, sr |access-date=22 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006151436/http://www.popis2013.ba/popis2013/doc/Popis2013prvoIzdanje.pdf |archive-date=6 October 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/publisher,HRW,,BIH,45cb0ca52,0.html |title=War Crimes in Bosnia-Hercegovina: U.N. Cease-Fire Won't Help Banja Luka |publisher=UNHCR |access-date=26 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014215642/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/publisher,HRW,,BIH,45cb0ca52,0.html |archive-date=14 October 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.oscebih.org/documents/50-eng.pdf |title=OSCE Regional Centre Banja Luka: Fact Sheet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014184429/http://www.oscebih.org/documents/50-eng.pdf |archive-date=14 October 2006}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.fzs.ba/Podaci/nacion%20po%20mjesnim.pdf |title=nacion po mjesnim.xls |access-date=26 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005002409/http://www.fzs.ba/Podaci/nacion%20po%20mjesnim.pdf |archive-date=5 October 2013}}

File:Banski dvor Banja Luka.jpg

Banja Luka plays an important role on different levels of Bosnia and Herzegovina's government structures. Banja Luka is the centre of the government for the Municipality of Banja Luka. A number of entity and state institutions are seated in the city. The Republika Srpska Government and the National Assembly are based in Banja Luka.{{Cite web |title=About National Assembly {{!}} NSRS |url=https://www.narodnaskupstinars.net/?q=en%2Fnational-assembly%2Fabout-national-assembly |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=www.narodnaskupstinars.net |date=28 January 2015 |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122214827/https://www.narodnaskupstinars.net/?q=en%2Fnational-assembly%2Fabout-national-assembly |url-status=live }}

The Bosnia and Herzegovina State Agencies based in the city include the Indirect Taxation Authority, the Deposit Insurance Agency as well as a branch of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (formerly the National Bank of Republika Srpska). Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Serbia, the United Kingdom and the United States maintain diplomatic representation through consulates-general in Banja Luka.{{Cite web |url=https://www.banjaluka-tourism.com/index.php/sr/konzulati |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=www.banjaluka-tourism.com |title=Konzulati |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122031003/https://www.banjaluka-tourism.com/index.php/sr/konzulati |url-status=live }}

As of 2021, the mayor is Draško Stanivuković of the Party of Democratic Progress, elected in 2020.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-16 |title=Izbori u Bosni - kad ne dobiješ glas ni od sebe |url=https://www.bbc.com/serbian/lat/balkan-54958403 |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=BBC News na srpskom |language=sr-latn}}

File:Зграда ГП Крајина.jpg

In 1981, Banja Luka's GDP per capita was 97% of the Yugoslav average.{{cite book |title=Atlas svijeta: Novi pogled na Zemlju |year=1984 |edition=3rd |publisher=Sveučilišna naklada Liber |location=Zagreb |language=hr |editor1-first=Radovan |editor1-last=Radovinović |editor2-first=Ivan |editor2-last=Bertić}}

Although the city itself was not directly affected by the Bosnian war in the early 1990s, its economy was. In this period Banja Luka fell behind the world in key areas such as technology, with socially owned technology firms such as SOUR Rudi Čajavec collapsing, resulting in a rather stagnant economy. However, in recent years, the financial services sector has gained in importance in the city. In 2002, the trading began on the newly established Banja Luka Stock Exchange. The number of companies listed, the trading volume and the number of investors have increased significantly. A number of big companies such as Telekom Srpske, Rafinerija ulja Modriča, Banjalučka Pivara and Vitaminka are all listed on the exchange and are traded regularly. Investors, apart from those from Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia, now include a number of investment funds from the EU, and from Norway, the United States, Japan and China.

File:"Нектар" пиво.jpg]]

A number of financial services regulators, such as the Republika Srpska Securities Commission and the RS Banking Agency are headquartered in Banja Luka. This, along with the fact that some of the major banks in Bosnia, the Deposit Insurance Agency and the value-added tax (VAT) authority are all based in the city, has helped Banja Luka establish itself as a major financial centre of the country.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}}

The following table gives a summary of total number of registered people employed in legal entities per their core activity (as of 2018):{{cite web |title=Cities and Municipalities of Republika Srpska |url=http://www2.rzs.rs.ba/static/uploads/bilteni/gradovi_i_opstine_republike_srpske/2019/Gradovi_I_Opstine_Republike_Srpske_2019_WEB.pdf |website=rzs.rs.ba |publisher=Republika Srspka Institute of Statistics |access-date=31 December 2019 |date=25 December 2019 |archive-date=31 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231092750/http://www2.rzs.rs.ba/static/uploads/bilteni/gradovi_i_opstine_republike_srpske/2019/Gradovi_I_Opstine_Republike_Srpske_2019_WEB.pdf |url-status=live }}

File:Музеј савремене умјетности Републике Српске.jpg

The Museum of Republika Srpska inherited the Ethnographic Museum established in 1930,{{Cite web |title=Музеј Републике Српске – Бања Лука |url=https://www.muzejrs.com/site/ |access-date=2021-01-18 |language=en-US |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120085905/https://www.muzejrs.com/site/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.esrpska.com/contentpage.aspx?kat_id=aeef26d5-f126-4ec1-b746-b615521e73b2&podkat_id=a6f9e5bd-27db-4fa2-87ad-8cb824b4d736&page_id=10 |title=Музеј РС |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=3 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603170811/http://www.esrpska.com/ContentPage.aspx?kat_id=aeef26d5-f126-4ec1-b746-b615521e73b2&podkat_id=a6f9e5bd-27db-4fa2-87ad-8cb824b4d736&page_id=10 |url-status=live }} and broadened its setting with collections of archeology, history, art history and nature. The Museum of Modern Art of Republika Srpska, also called MSURS, the Museum of Contemporary Art, displays exhibitions of both domestic and worldwide artists.{{Cite web |title=O muzeju |url=http://msurs.net/index.php/sr/info1/o-muzeju |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=msurs.net |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122183743/http://msurs.net/index.php/sr/info1/o-muzeju |url-status=live }}

Banja Luka is home to the National Theatre{{Cite web |title=Историјат |url=https://www.np.rs.ba/index.php/o-nama/istorijat |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=www.np.rs.ba |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122024205/https://www.np.rs.ba/index.php/o-nama/istorijat |url-status=live }} and National Library,{{Cite web |last=www.meliorsoft.com |title=Biblioteka u Banjoj Luci |url=http://www.upoznajsrpsku.com/index.php?page=163 |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=Upoznaj Srpsku |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418051131/http://upoznajsrpsku.com/index.php?page=163 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Историјски преглед |url=https://nub.rs/biblioteka/o-biblioteci/istoriski-pregled/ |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=nub.rs |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121011817/https://nub.rs/biblioteka/o-biblioteci/istoriski-pregled/ |url-status=live }} both dating from the first half of the 20th century, and of numerous other theatres. The headquarters of the Archives of Republika Srpska is situated in the building known as Carska kuća or Imperial House, built around 1880. It has been in continuous public use longer than any other structure in Banja Luka.

File:Museum of Republika Srpska entrance.jpg

One of the best-known cultural sites in Banja Luka is the cultural centre of "Banski Dvor" (Halls of the Ban), built in the 1930s as the residence for the Bans of the Vrbas Banovina.{{Cite web |date=2019-07-26 |title=Novo ruho za simbol Banjaluke |url=https://ba.n1info.com/vijesti/a359252-Novo-ruho-za-simbol-Banjaluke/ |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=N1 |language=bs-BA |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122195915/https://ba.n1info.com/vijesti/a359252-novo-ruho-za-simbol-banjaluke/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Banski Dvor - Nekad banov dom, danas dom kulture grada Banja Luka |url=http://banjalukatravel.com/sr/destination/banski-dvor/ |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=BanjalukaTravel |date=July 2017 |language=sr-RS |archive-date=24 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124160003/http://banjalukatravel.com/sr/destination/banski-dvor/ |url-status=live }}

There is a number of Cultural Artistic Associations in the city. The oldest is CAA "Pelagić" (founded 1927), one of the oldest institutions of this kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina.{{cite web |url=http://www.rkud-pelagic.org |title=RKUD "Pelagić", Banja Luka |publisher=Rkud-pelagic.org |date=13 August 2012 |access-date=26 March 2013 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043350/http://www.rkud-pelagic.org/ |url-status=usurped}}

File:National Tennis Center of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka.jpg]]

File:Borac Banja luka.jpg fans]]

Banja Luka has one major football stadium and several indoor sports halls. The local handball, basketball and football teams bear the traditional name Borac (fighter). There are sixteen football clubs in the city,{{Cite web |title=Sportske organizacije i klubovi u Banjaluci - Banjalukasport.com |url=http://banjalukasport.com/public_html/article.php/20071017141310678 |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=banjalukasport.com |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117184745/http://banjalukasport.com/public_html/article.php/20071017141310678 |url-status=dead}} with the most notable being Luka are Borac Banja Luka (2023–2024 season champions of Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina), BSK Banja Luka, and Omladinac Banja Luka (both in the First League of the Republika Srpska), FK Naprijed Banja Luka and FK Vrbas Banja Luka

FK Borac Banja Luka is one of the most popular football club in the Republika Srpska. The club has won several major trophies in its history such as trophies as a champion of Mitropa Cup, Yugoslav Cup, Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Cup, First League of the Republika Srpska, Republic Srpska Cup. The club has participated in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.{{Cite web |title=EVROPA NAKON 18 GODINA! |url=https://fkborac.net/evropa-nakon-18-godina |access-date=2021-01-18 |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122025700/https://fkborac.net/evropa-nakon-18-godina |url-status=live }}

The city has a long tradition of handball. RK Borac Banja Luka was the European Champion in 1976, the European Vice-Champion in 1975 and the winner of the IHF Cup in 1991.{{Cite web |title=FINALE KUPA I PRVI EVROPSKI NASTUPI |url=https://fkborac.net/finale-kupa-i-prvi-evropski-nastupi |access-date=2021-01-18 |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122025629/https://fkborac.net/finale-kupa-i-prvi-evropski-nastupi |url-status=live }}

The local tennis tournament, "Memorijal Trive Vujića", has become professional and has been awarded ATP status in 2001, with the rank of a Challenger. The Banja Luka Challenger takes place in September each year. In 2006, the Davis Cup matches of the Europe/Africa Zone Group III took place in the city. In April 2023, Banja Luka was host to the 2023 Srpska Open tournament, as part of the 2023 ATP Tour.{{cite news |title=Serbia Open finds replacement location for 2023, Novak Djokovic intends to play |url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Novak_Djokovic/123170/serbia-open-finds-replacement-location-for-2023-novak-djokovic-intends-to-play/ |access-date=23 April 2023 |work=.tennisworldusa.org |date=30 October 2022}}

Since 2015, the city hosts the Banjaluka Half-marathon.{{Cite web |title=Vodič za učesnike – Participants Guide {{!}} Polumaraton - polumaraton |url=http://banjalukamarathon.com/vodic-za-ucesnike/ |access-date=2021-01-18 |language=bs-BA |archive-date=6 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106200825/http://banjalukamarathon.com/vodic-za-ucesnike/ |url-status=dead }}

In 2005 and 2019 the European Championships in Rafting were held on the Vrbas river.{{Cite web |title=BANJALUKA IS READY FOR THE EUROPEAN RAFTING CHAMPIONSHIP 2015 {{!}} Rafting klub Kanjon – Banja Luka |url=https://raftingklubkanjon.com/2015/05/banjaluka-is-ready-for-the-european-rafting-championship-2015/?lang=en |access-date=2021-01-18 |language=Serbian |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122183518/https://raftingklubkanjon.com/2015/05/banjaluka-is-ready-for-the-european-rafting-championship-2015/?lang=en |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Srdić |first=Sanja |title=Banjaluka svjetski rafting centar |date=17 May 2009 |url=https://www.dw.com/bs/banjaluka-svjetski-rafting-centar/a-4259530 |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=DW.COM |language=bs-BA |archive-date=3 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803165024/http://www.dw.com/bs/banjaluka-svjetski-rafting-centar/a-4259530 |url-status=live }}

Banja Luka was designated European city of sport in 2018.{{Cite web |title=European Cities of Sport |url=http://aceseurope.eu/european-cities-of-sport/ |access-date=2021-01-17 |website=Aces Europe |date=September 2017 |language=en-GB |archive-date=24 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124190904/http://aceseurope.eu/european-cities-of-sport/ |url-status=live }}

File:TranzitBL.jpg

Public transportation within Banja Luka is exclusively operated by the bus services. 23 bus lines{{cite web |title=Red vožnje gradskog prevoza |url=https://www.banjaluka.rs.ba/gradjani/saobracaj/javni-prevoz/ |website=Grad Banja Luka |access-date=3 June 2024}} stretch across the city, connecting the downtown to the rest of the city and its suburbs. The oldest bus link in the city is line No 1. Taxis are also readily available. The expressway E-661 (locally known as M-16) leads north to Croatia from Banja Luka by way of Gradiška, near the Bosnian/Croatian border. A wide range of bus services are available to most neighbouring and larger towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to regional and European destinations such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, France, Italy, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Hungary and Slovakia.

File:Adria Airways - Banja Luka airport - Nov-10 v1.JPG]]

Banja Luka is a minor hub of the railway services of Željeznice Republike Srpske, which comprises one half of the railway network of Bosnia and Herzegovina.{{Cite news |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/republika-srpska-rail-investment-plan.html |title=Republika Srpska rail investment plan |work=Railway Gazette |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=1 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101041924/https://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/republika-srpska-rail-investment-plan.html |url-status=dead }} Services operate to most northern Bosnian towns, and two modern air-conditioned 'Talgo' trains run to Sarajevo every day. However, services are relatively slow and infrequent compared with neighbouring countries.

Banja Luka International Airport (IATA: BNX, ICAO: LQBK) is located {{cvt|23|km|0}} north of Banja Luka. The airport is served by Air Serbia, which operates flights to Belgrade and summer charters to Antalya and Athens, while Ryanair operates flights to Bergamo, Berlin, Brussels, Gothenburg, Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, Memmingen, Frankfurt–Hahn and Vienna. There is also Banja Luka Zalužani Airfield, a small airstrip.

File:Čajavčev neboder2.jpg

Banja Luka overwhelmingly relies on a network of buses for its public transport. The following bus lines exist in the city:

• 1 - Mađir - Ortopedija - Nova bolnica
• 3 - Centar (Vodovod) - Vrbanja - Zeleni vir
• 3B - Centar (Vodovod) - Debeljaci
• 6 - Autobuska stanica - Lauš - Saračica
• 7 - Lauš - Paprikovac - Centar - Obilićevo (TO Bema)
• 8 - Autobuska stanica - Podgora
• 9 - Česma - Centar - Desna novoselija
• 9B - Česma - Medeno polje - Centar
• 10 - Autobuska stanica - Obilićevo
• 12 - Centar - Paprikovac (vidik)
• 13 - Lazarevo - Obilićevo
• 13A - Nova bolnica - Centar - Zalužani
• 13B - Novo groblje - Lazarevo (Poslovna škola)
• 13C - Centar - Tunjice - Zalužani
• 13P - Obilićevo (Krfska ulica) - Petrićevac
• 14 - Starčevica - Centar - Starčevica
• 14B - Autobuska stanica - Borik - Starčevica
• 17 - Obilićevo - Nova bolnica
• 17A - Starčevica - Nova bolnica
• 19 - Šargovac - Centar (Vidovdanska)
• 20 - Autobuska stanica - Centar - Paprikovac (Ul. Ranka Šipke)
• 39 - Drakulić (Vrtače) - Centar
• 39A - Drakulić (avion) - Rakovačke bare - Centar

In addition to those, there are 34 suburban lines. A single-use bus ticket costs 2.3 convertible marks, while a day ticket that allows unlimited transfers costs 7.1 marks. Pensioners and citizens older than 65 enjoy free transit.{{cite news |title=Stanivuković najavio besplatan prevoz za sve penzionere u Banjaluci, evo kako da se prijavite (VIDEO) |url=https://lat.rtrs.tv/vijesti/vijest.php?id=551109 |access-date=3 June 2024 |agency=RTRS |date=9 April 2024}} The bus system faces several challenges, including the city government's debt to the private carriers{{cite news |title=Grad duguje dva miliona KM banjalučkim prevoznicima |url=https://www.capital.ba/grad-duguje-dva-miliona-km-banjaluckim-prevoznicima/ |access-date=3 June 2024 |agency=capital.ba |date=7 November 2023}} and the vehicles' advanced age.{{cite news |title=Banjalučani se voze autobusima starim 16 godina: Ne zna se ni koliko ih ima klimu |url=https://srpskainfo.com/banjalucani-se-voze-autobusima-starim-16-godina-ne-zna-se-ni-koliko-ih-ima-klimu/ |access-date=3 June 2024 |agency=srpskainfo |date=19 January 2024}}

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina}}

Banja Luka is twinned with the following cities:{{cite web |url=http://www.banjaluka.rs.ba/front/category/64/|script-title=sr:Градови партнери |access-date=2013-08-09 |work=Administrative Office of the City of Banja Luka |language=sr|trans-title=City of Banja Luka - Partner cities |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917132032/http://www.banjaluka.rs.ba/front/category/64/ |archive-date=2011-09-17}}

{{colbegin}}

• {{flagicon|SRB}} Belgrade, Serbia, since 2020{{Cite web |last=В |first=А. |title=Београд се побратимио са Бањалуком |url=http://www.politika.rs/scc/clanak/465383/Beograd-se-pobratimio-sa-Banjalukom |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=Politika Online |archive-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030185325/http://www.politika.rs/scc/clanak/465383/Beograd-se-pobratimio-sa-Banjalukom |url-status=live }}
• {{flagicon|SRB}} Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia
• {{flagicon|GRE}} Patras, Greece, since 1995{{Cite web |url=http://www.e-patras.gr/portal/web/pressoffice/367 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730030515/http://www.e-patras.gr/portal/web/pressoffice/367 |url-status=dead |title=e-patras.gr - Διεθνείς Σχέσεις |archive-date=30 July 2012}}
• {{flagicon|RUS}} Moscow, Russia, since 2003
• {{flagicon|GER}} Kaiserslautern, Germany, since 2003
• {{flagicon|UKR}} Lviv, Ukraine
• {{flagicon|SVN}} Kranj, Slovenia, since 1965
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Campobasso, Italy
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Bari, Italy
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Bitonto, Italy
• {{flagicon|ISR}} Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, Israel, since 2010
• {{flagicon|AUT}} Graz, Austria
• {{flagicon|SWE}} Västerås, Sweden, since 1969
• {{flagicon|SRB}} Zemun, Serbia
• {{flagicon|ROU}} Focșani, Romania, since 2012

{{colbegin}}

• {{flagicon|SRB}} Novi Sad, Serbia, since 2006
• {{flagicon|SRB}} Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia{{Cite web |title=Међународна сарадња |url=https://www.banjaluka.rs.ba/gradska-uprava/%d0%bc%d0%b5%d1%92%d1%83%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d1%81%d0%b0%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%b4%d1%9a%d0%b0/ |access-date=2021-07-04 |website=Град Бања Лука |language=sr-RS |archive-date=17 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317220304/https://www.banjaluka.rs.ba/gradska-uprava/%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%92%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%81%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B4%D1%9A%D0%B0/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Srna |date=2014-04-22 |title=Sporazum o saradnji Banjaluke i Kosovske Mitrovice |url=https://www.nezavisne.com/novosti/banjaluka/Sporazum-o-saradnji-Banjaluke-i-Kosovske-Mitrovice/241482 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Nezavisne novine |language=sr}}{{better source needed|date=November 2023}}{{dubious|date=November 2023}}

{{colend}}

{{colend}}

File:Monument to Petar Kočić, Banja Luka.jpg]]

File:Benes.jpg]]

File:Nikola Pejaković.jpg]]

• Gorica Aćimović, Serbian-Austrian handballer
• Srđan Babić, Serbian footballer, World U-20 champion
• Marijan Beneš, Yugoslav boxer and poet, European amateur and professional champion, Yugoslav Boxer of the 20th century{{Cite web |url=https://www.rtv.rs/sr_lat/sport/individualni-sportovi/bokserski-sampioni-izabrali-najuspesnije-(audio)_1237453.html |title=Bokserski šampioni izabrali najuspešnije (AUDIO) |access-date=6 January 2022 |archive-date=22 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222075450/https://www.rtv.rs/sr_lat/sport/individualni-sportovi/bokserski-sampioni-izabrali-najuspesnije-(audio)_1237453.html |url-status=live }}
• Mladen Bojinović, Serbian handball player, World Championship bronze medalist
• Nikola Ćaćić, Serbian tennis player
• Saša Čađo, Serbian basketball player, Olympic bronze medalist and European champion
• Adem Čejvan, Bosnian actor
• Radenko Dobraš (born 1968), Serbian basketball player
• Nela Eržišnik, Croatian actress and comedian
• Muhamed Filipović, Bosnian academic, philosopher and writer
• Slađana Golić, Serbian basketball player, Olympic and World Championships silver medalist
• Srđan Grahovac, Serbian footballer
• Anton Josipović, Yugoslav boxer, Olympic champion
• Božidar Jović, Serbian handball player
• Ivan Franjo Jukić, Bosnian writer
• Nasiha Kapidžić-Hadžić, Bosnian writer and poet
• Osman Karabegović, politician
• Milorad Karalić, Serbian handball player, Olympic champion
• Tomislav Knez, football player, Olympic champion and European Championship silver medalist
• Aleksandar Knežević, Serbian handball player, European Championship bronze medalist
• Petar Kočić, Serbian writer
• Franjo Komarica, Roman Catholic Bishop of Banja Luka
• Abid Kovačević, retired footballer
• Vladan Kovačević, footballer
• DJ Krmak, Serbian singer
• Ivan Ljubičić, Croatian tennis player, World No. 3 and Olympic bronze medalist
• Saša Lošić, Serbian singer and composer
• Darko Maletić, Serbian footballer
• Draženko Mitrović, Serbian athlete, two-time Paralympic silver medalist and European champion
• Ivan Merz, Catholic lay academic; beatified by Pope John Paul II
• Zlatan Muslimović, Bosnian footballer
• Mustafa Nadarević, actor
• Romana Panić, Serbian singer
• Nikola Pejaković, Serbian actor and musician
• Zlatko Saračević, Croatian handball player, Olympic and World champion
• Marija Šestić, Serbian singer
• Velimir Sombolac, Serbian football player and manager, Olympic champion
• Neven Subotić, Serbian footballer
• Ognjen Vranješ, Serbian footballer
• Oto Rebula, athlete
• Srđan Vujmilović, photographer
• Sredoje Zekanović, director of Bokserski klub Slavija Banja Luka, director of Yugoslavia national boxing team{{Cite web |url=https://www.nezavisne.com/novosti/banjaluka/Istaknute-istorijske-licnosti-Banjaluke-XVI-Sredoje-Zekanovic/255504 |title=Istaknute istorijske ličnosti Banjaluke (XVI): Sredoje Zekanović |date=27 July 2014 |access-date=6 January 2022 |archive-date=6 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106134431/https://www.nezavisne.com/novosti/banjaluka/Istaknute-istorijske-licnosti-Banjaluke-XVI-Sredoje-Zekanovic/255504 |url-status=live }}

{{notes

|notes =

}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Portal|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}

{{Commons category|Banja Luka}}

{{Wikisource1911Enc|Banjaluka}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{wikivoyage-inline|Banja Luka}}
• [http://www.banjaluka.rs.ba Banja Luka City homepage]
• [https://banjaluka.city Banja Luka City Travel Guide]
• [https://banjaluka.net Banja Luka News]

{{Political divisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina}}

{{List of European capitals by region}}

{{Banja Luka Municipality}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Populated places in Banja Luka

Category:Cities and towns in Republika Srpska

Category:Municipalities of Republika Srpska