Maarten Hornstra

Did you know that the largest pyramids in the world are not in Egypt, but in a Bosnian provincial town? And that this place has special powers? At least, for a large number of people this is an undeniable truth.

In 2005, archaeologist Semir Osmanagić (alias 'the Bosnian Indiana Jones') claimed that a number of hills around the town of Visoko are pyramids, built by an advanced civilization. According to him, these hills and an underground tunnel system have healing properties. His theories and evidence are not taken seriously by the scientific world. But just as with themes such as climate change and covid, science no longer necessarily has the final word. Large numbers of 'believers' travel to Visoko to experience the wonder. The place has become a major spiritual attraction.

Since 2018 I have traveled to Visoko a number of times. It is a fascinating place: until 2005, for the population of the town the hills were just hills...  but suddenly their city appears to be located in a valley of the pyramids! The local economy has become largely dependent on tourism. People are grateful for this unexpected source of income.  Amused and a little confused they watch the tourists flock in. I was curious about these visitors. What are people fascinated by, what are they looking for? What is truth? In this series I explore this.