There is evidence of some settlements in the region dating back to the Bronze Age, the true history of Travnik begins during the first few centuries AD. Numerous indications prove the Roman presence in the region, including graves, forts, the remains of various other structures, early Christian basilicas, etc. In the city itself, Roman coins and plaques have been found. In the Middle Ages the area is first mentioned by Bela IV of Hungary in 1244. The city itself is first mentioned by the Ottomans during their conquest of nearby Jajce. At that time much of the local population converted to Islam. The city quickly grew into one of the more important settlements in the region, as authorities constructed mosques, marketplaces, and various infrastructure. During 1699 when Sarajevo was set afire by soldiers of Field-Marshal Prince Eugene of Savoy, Travnik became the capital of the Ottoman province of Bosnia and residence of the Bosnian viziers. The city became an important center of government in the whole Western frontier of the empire, and consulates were established by the governments of France and Austria-Hungary. The period of Austrian occupation brought westernization and industry to Travnik, but also a reduction of importance. A large fire started by a spark from a locomotive in September 1903 destroyed most of the towns buildings and homes, leaving only some hamlets and the fortress untouched. The cleanup and rebuilding took several years. From 1929 to 1941, Travnik was part of the Drina Banovina of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During the Bosnian War, the town mostly escaped damage from conflict with Serbian forces, hosting refugees from nearby Jajce, but the area experienced fighting between local Bosnian and Croat fractions before the Washington Agreement was signed.