In modern Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are only three preserved ancient monasteries that date back to pre-Ottoman times. One of them is the Monastery of Saint-Bonaventure in the small ancient city of Visoko. Founded in 1340 by Franciscan monks, the first Monastery of Saint-Bonaventure was built in a picturesque place called Mili, and its modest monastery church hosted the coronations of Bosnian kings. After the arrival of the Ottoman Turks, most of the religious buildings were looted and destroyed. But the monastery managed not only to survive but also to continue its spiritual practices. Unfortunately, as a result of severe persecution, the monks were forced to leave the city at the end of the 17th century. Only a couple of centuries later could they return to their home city, left by the Ottoman rulers, buy the land near the picturesque bank of the Bosna River, and build a new Monastery of Saint-Bonaventure. This building still delights guests of Visoko.

The design of the new monastery was made by the famous architect Ivan Holtz. It included not only the religious house but also an educational institution, a gymnasium. Its construction had lasted more than 10 years until the grand opening took place in 1900, and the students of the gymnasium from Guca Gora moved to Visoko. Since then, the Monastery of Saint-Bonaventure has provided excellent classical education. At the beginning of the 20th century, the monastery was expanded with a new building, a boarding school for children from other cities. The monastery teachers are still members of the Franciscan Order, and its students can be of any religion. One half of the building is occupied by a Catholic church, and the other half – by lecture halls, a dining room, a library, and a museum with ancient artifacts ranging from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages, as well as natural exhibits, including a stuffed New Zealand kiwi bird, and an impressive ethnographic collection showing the life and traditions of the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina.