Tradition / Region: Bosnian Mythology
Alternate Names: Butkove Vila
Category: Fairy
The Myth
The Vila of Butkove Stijene is a mountain and river spirit connected to the cliffs above the Drina, near Višegrad. Like other Balkan vile, she is a powerful and dangerous supernatural being tied to wild nature, especially water and rocky heights.
During the construction of the bridge on the Drina, commissioned by Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, the master builder Mitre encountered her while testing whether the river could be crossed. As his horse reached the middle of the river, it suddenly froze, unable to move forward.
At that moment, the vila appeared and tried to drown both Mitre and his horse. However, the horse broke free and leapt back onto dry land, carrying the vila with it. Mitre drew his sword to kill her, but she stopped him by invoking a sacred bond, calling him her brother and begging for mercy.
In exchange for her life, she promised to help him build the bridge. Trusting her, Mitre released her back into the cliffs of Butkove Stijene.
But when the construction repeatedly failed—everything built during the day collapsing by night—Mitre called upon the vila for help. She answered from the rocks, explaining that she could not assist him directly because other vile forbade it. Instead, she revealed the harsh condition required for success: living humans had to be built into the structure.
Following her instruction, two people were immured within the bridge, and only then did the construction succeed.
The Vila of Butkove Stijene reflects the dual nature of vile in Balkan folklore—beautiful and knowledgeable, yet bound by harsh supernatural laws. She does not lie, but her guidance leads to sacrifice, showing that dealing with such beings always comes at a cost.
Sources
Hormann, K. (1976). Narodne pjesme muslimana u BiH – Knjiga 1. In Bosna i Hercegovina (collected 1888–1889).