Although settlements in the area stretches back to prehistoric times, the town with the name Gornji Vakuf arose in the 16th century in the location of the existing settlement called Česta. The name Gornji Vakuf refers to the fact that the town was established as a waqf by Bosniaknobility. Mehmed-beg Stočanin, a famous Bosniak bey, is the founder of Gornji Vakuf. This town has a typical Bosnian čaršija, which is common within Central Bosnia.
Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje was made infamous as one of the first towns to suffer from the Croat–Bosniak War during the Bosnian War - as a critical node - was vital for UNPROFOR to hold to enable UNHCR supplies to move into the country. It was held by B Company, of Group 1 CHESHIRE from the British Army, which was under command of UNPROFOR. In the early months of 1993, the company lost Lance corporalWayne Edwards, who was shot by an unknown sniper as they were crossing a bridge in armored personnel carriers. The gunman is still unknown to this day. Prior to the war, Gornji Vakuf had a population of about 10,000 Croats and 14,000 Bosniaks. On the 11th of January, 1993, the first clashes between the Croatian Defence Council and the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina took place. There are conflicting reports as to how the fighting started and what caused it; a bomb placed in a Muslim owned hotel used as a headquarters by ARBiH or an all-out attack by ARBiH forces on HVO positions. The HVO had around 300 forces in the town and 2,000 in the surrounding area, while the ARBiH deployed several brigades of its 3rd Corps which was operating within the area. A front line was established through the center of town. HVO artillery fired from several positions on the hills to the southeast of ARBiH forces in Gornji Vakuf after their demands for surrender were rejected until a ceasefire was arranged. On the 1st of August, 1993, the ARBiH launched an offensive on the HVO in Gornji Vakuf, and won control over most of the town by the following day. The HVO retained control over a Croat neighborhood in the southwest and the ARBiH, lacking necessary reinforcements, could not continue its offensive. The name of the Croat-held part was later changed to Uskoplje. The HVO attempted a counterattack from its positions to the southwest of the town on the 5 of August, however infantry and mortar units in the ARBiH were able to repel the attack. Another attack by the HVO started in September, reinforced with tanks and heavy artillery, but it was also unsuccessful. The Washington peace agreement signed by both warring parties in 1994, which subsequently put an end to military operations for either side to take control of the city, and a year later would come the end of the war.
Contemporary
As the Dayton Agreement was signed in 1995, the post-war city suffered much damage, but was able to financially restabilize itself utilizing the tourism sector over the years. Relations between Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs have been well since then, and the local populace is known for some of its picturesque views of the country.
Settlements
Demographics
1971
19,344 total
Bosniaks - 10,482
Croats - 8,605
Serbs - 141
Yugoslavs - 18
others - 98
1991
In the census of 1991, the municipality of Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje had 25,130 inhabitants: 56.05% Bosniaks, 42.61% Croats, 0.60% Yugoslavs, 0.42% Serbs and 0.31% others. The town itself had 5,349 residents, of which 61% Bosniaks, 34% Croats, 2% Yugoslavs, 1% Serbs and 1% others.
