BANJA LUKA

also spelled Banjaluka city, northeast Bosnia and Hercegovina, on the Vrbas River at its confluence with the Vrbanja. Under the Turks, Banja Luka (Baths of St. Luke) was an important military centre and the original location (15831639) of the seat of the Bosnian pasalik (territory governed by a pasha). Commercial growth declined following fires and plagues in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the 19th century Banja Luka played an important part in the uprisings of the Bosnians against Turkey, as well as in the revolts of the Serbs. Again, during World War II, the city and district were a resistance centre while part of the Axis-created country of Croatia. Since 1945 a new industrial section of the city has been developed. Industries include fruit and vegetable canning, tobacco processing, brewing, and the manufacture of machine tools, electrical appliances, clothing, pulp and paper, and synthetic fibres. It has road connections with Zagreb and with Jajce and Sarajevo. There are many Turkish mosques, notably the beautiful Ferhadija, or Ferhad-Pasha Mosque, built in 1583. Pop. (1981) 123,937.