One such custom is the preparation and “breaking” of the česnica – a traditional pogača (bread) which is an integral part of the Christmas dinner and takes its name from the old Slavic word, čest (part).

The česnica is typically prepared early on Christmas morning and is made from flour, milk, yeast, eggs and salt. A coin is usually placed inside and the top of the česnica is decorated with a branch from the Christmas badnjak (oak tree).

Once the česnica has been baked, it’s placed on the table with the Christmas lunch. After prayers are offered by the host, there is a ceremony where the česnica is rotated counterclockwise three times in the guests’ hands and is then broken into as many pieces as there are people seated around the table.

It is believed that whoever gets the piece of bread with the coin will have good luck all year. Once the bread has been broken, everyone exchanges holiday greetings and enjoys the rest of the meal.

If you’d like to try this delicacy, without the Christmas and family atmosphere, we recommend that you make your way to Dveri in Baščaršija (12 Prote Bakovića), and enjoy their traditional pogača, which has a taste and look that is very similar to česnica.