center. According to the 2013 census, the settlement of Zenica itself counts 70,553 citizens and the administrative area 110,663, making it the nation's fourth-largest city.

The urban part of today's city was formed in several phases, including Neolithic, Illyrian, and the Roman Municipium of Bistua Nuova (2nd-4th century; old name of the city), with an early Christian dual basilica.