Sarajevo

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is located in the valley of the Miljacka River, surrounded by the mountains of the Dinaric Alps. It is a city with a rich history and an exceptionally varied culture. Blending Oriental and Western influences, it offers visitors a unique charm and an unforgettable experience that weaves together past and present.

Sarajevo's history dates back to 1461 when it was founded by the first Bosnian governor, Ishak-beg Isaković (Ishak Bay Isaković), quickly becoming an important urban center of the Ottoman Empire in Europe. The Baščaršija district, the historic heart of the city, symbolizes Ottoman influence with its mosques, traditional bazaars, and ancient tea houses. Over the centuries, the city has also experienced a significant Austro-Hungarian influence, visible in its architecture and infrastructure. However, Sarajevo is perhaps best known for its role in the 20th century, particularly for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, an event that triggered World War I, and for the siege during the Bosnian War in the 1990s, one of the most tragic periods in its history.

Sarajevo boasts several must-see tourist attractions, starting with the old town Baščaršija, accessible from Ferhadija Street and leading to Markale Market Square and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart with the Monument to John Paul II.

The vibrant center of Sarajevo is truly Baščaršija, the Ottoman bazaar, where one can savor the essence of the city among craft shops, cafés, historic churches, and mosques, such as the ancient Orthodox Church, the Emperor's Mosque, Ali Pasha Mosque (Alipašina Mosque), and the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque from 1530, one of the most impressive in the country, adjacent to the 30-meter tall Sahat Kula Clock Tower and the Sebilj Fountain from 1753, one of Sarajevo's symbols.

Particularly interesting architecturally in the old city is also the Sarajevo City Hall, renovated in 2014, the Alifakovac district, and Kazandžiluk Street, one of the city's oldest streets with artisan shops that produce copper objects.

Not far away, there is the Latin Bridge (atinska ćuprija) on the Miljacka River, where Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in 1914, an event that marked the beginning of World War I. From here, one can continue to visit several important city museums. Near the bridge is the Sarajevo 1878-1918 Museum and the Sarajevo Tunnel (also known as the "Tunnel of Hope" because it connected the city to Sarajevo Airport during the years of siege, providing a vital connection to the outside world), which offer insights into the city's recent history, while the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina houses the Sarajevo Haggadah, one of the world's oldest Jewish manuscripts.

Strolling along the Miljacka River allows one to relax while admiring various examples of Austro-Hungarian architecture, such as the imposing building of the Academy of Fine Arts. Meanwhile, for a breathtaking view of the city, one can take the cable car to the top of Mount Trebević, from where the urban panorama set against green mountains can be observed.

About 40 km from Sarajevo, nature lovers can visit the famous Middle Bijambare Cave in the Bijambare speleological area, a protected natural site ideal for outdoor picnics, hunting, fishing, hiking, and speleological research. Or, about 25 km from Sarajevo, the Bjelasnica and Igman Mountains, which are very popular winter locations for the ski slopes of Bjelasnica that start from the highest peak (2067 meters) and end at Babin do (1266 meters).

Completing the experience of the city is the local gastronomy. Sarajevo's cuisine is a delightful example of culinary fusion. One cannot leave the city without trying čevapi, spiced meat sausages served with pita bread and onions.

 

Other typical dishes include stuffed vine leaves known as japrak, klepe (minced meat dumplings), burek (meat-filled savory pie), bosanski lonac (a traditional stew that offers a genuine taste of Bosnian cuisine), and for dessert, baklava (a legacy of the long Ottoman rule), as well as tufahija (poached stuffed apple) and hurmašice (butter cookies). Typical restaurants where one can taste traditional dishes are found along Bravadžiluk Street, a gastronomic paradise in the historic center of Baščaršija, where some of Sarajevo's most famous grocery stores are also located.

Text by Nicole Villa

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