About Sarajevo
History
Sarajevo is administrative and cultural capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nested between rugged mountains of Romanija, Bjelašnica and Trebević and split by Miljacka River, Sarajevo is stretched across an area known as Sarajevo Field. There are numerous archeological findings attesting to settlements in this area dating back to the Neolithic period, as well as records that point to significant Ilyiran presence in the area. The medieval town of Hodidjed was located in the vicinity of today’s Sarajevo; however, the sheer name of the city (from Turkish saray – court and ovasi – field) indicates that Sarajevo is a creation of the Ottoman Empire.
It is generally accepted that Sarajevo is founded in the mid 15th century by the Ottoman governor of Bosnia – Isa-bey Ishakovic – to house the area's Ottoman government. Anyone strolling through Sarajevo will easily notice the city's three distinct parts each reflective of the historical period in which it was built. The initial expansion of the city occurred during the first 150 years or so of Ottoman rule. Many of the city’s architectural gems were built during this period such as Gazi Husrev Bey’s and The Emperor’s Mosques. Baščaršija – the city’s, once great, bazaar – was also constructed during the same period. By the beginning of the XVII century, Sarajevo grew into a vibrant community of artisans and an important merchant trading post, as well as one of the most significant cities in the European part of Ottoman Empire.
The city's second architectural expansion started following the Austro-Hungarian occupation in the late 19th century and lasted until the beginning of World War I in 1914. The city was modernized during this period. Austro-Hungarians established the city’s first public transportation system and the first telephone lines. Many cultural and educational institutions were founded in this period as well, including the National (Land) Museum, the First Sheriate Law High School and the National Theater. Sarajevo City Hall, Ashkenazi Synagogue, and Catholic Cathedral were also added to the expanding city. The growth of Sarajevo was interrupted on June 28, 1914 when Gavrilo Princip assassinated Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophia during their visit to Sarajevo, setting off an unfortunate chain of events that led to the start of World War I.
Following the Treaty of Versailles in 1918 that ended World War I, Sarajevo, along with Bosnia and Herzegovina, became a part of the newly-formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. It remained within the later-renamed Kingdom of Yugoslavia until the beginning of World War II, when the monarchy was abolished and, following the end of the war, the new socialist Yugoslavia was created. The general plan for development of Sarajevo was adopted in 1945, and the city that suffered tremendous losses during World War II, was not only rebuilt but considerably expanded as well. Sarajevo almost tripled in size during its third expansion occurring in the formative years of socialist Yugoslavia. By 1984, when the city hosted 14th Winter Olympic Games, Sarajevo was a modern city of around 500,000 people.
Unfortunately, the Olympic flame was to flicker for a brief period of time only. Eight years later, in 1992, Sarajevo was trapped in a siege that lasted until the end of 1995. In addition to being exposed to daily sniper and mortar fire, the inhabitants of the city suffered severe shortages of food and fuel during the nearly four-year siege. Thousands of mortars fell upon the city, killing many and severally damaging it. The only life-line was an 800-meter-long tunnel, dubbed Tunnel of Hope, through which food and other supplies were brought in. To fight back the despair, people of Sarajevo attempted to preserve some degree of normalcy. Consequently, classes were held in bomb shelters, plays were shown in basement make-shift theaters, and Sarajevo’s famed Sarajevo Film Festival was held in the besieged city in the summer of 1995.
Despite the fact that the scars of war are still very visible everywhere you look, Sarajevo’s spirit remains unbroken and the city is slowly reclaiming its shine. Explore the pages of www.sonar.ba to get acquainted with what Sarajevo offers today. But, to feel its relaxing atmosphere and a surprisingly vibrant night-life, you must visit Sarajevo in person. Its even-tempered attitude and a welcoming atmosphere will put you at ease at once. Visitors beware: There is something irresistible about Sarajevo that might entice you to stay longer than planned.
Culture of living
Coffee is a national drink of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The drink was introduced to Bosnia with the arrival of Ottomans. Traditional Bosnian coffee is prepared in special coffee pots (džezva) and served in miniature coffee cups (fildžan).
The fact that Bosnians have a name for each coffee depending on the occasion in which it is served, attests to the importance of this drink in Bosnian culture. Some types of coffees served during the day are:
Razgalica - is the first morning coffee.
Razgovoruša - is the coffee that Bosnians drink later in the morning and usually with friends and work colleagues.
Sikteruša - is served after a gathering and it is a polite way to tell the guests that it is time to leave.
Inhabitants of Sarajevo purchase fresh produce daily. Although each part of Sarajevo has its own open-air market, Navigator recommends visiting Markale, the city's most beautiful market, where you can buy fresh produce and flowers.
At the back of it is a memorial wall dedicated to citizens of Sarajevo who died in 1994, in one of the bloodiest days during the four-year siege of Sarajevo.Stroll through Gradska Tržnica (covered meat and dairy market) on Ferhadija Street! The custom is to sample food without any obligation to buy. Tržnica offers an array of domestic cheeses such as Livanjski or Travnički as well as cured meats. The sellers will be more than happy to explain the quality of their products and bargaining is welcomed.
History
Sarajevo is administrative and cultural capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nested between rugged mountains of Romanija, Bjelašnica and Trebević and split by Miljacka River, Sarajevo is stretched across an area known as Sarajevo Field. There are numerous archeological findings attesting to settlements in this area dating back to the Neolithic period, as well as records that point to significant Ilyiran presence in the area. The medieval town of Hodidjed was located in the vicinity of today’s Sarajevo; however, the sheer name of the city (from Turkish saray – court and ovasi – field) indicates that Sarajevo is a creation of the Ottoman Empire.
It is generally accepted that Sarajevo is founded in the mid 15th century by the Ottoman governor of Bosnia – Isa-bey Ishakovic – to house the area's Ottoman government. Anyone strolling through Sarajevo will easily notice the city's three distinct parts each reflective of the historical period in which it was built. The initial expansion of the city occurred during the first 150 years or so of Ottoman rule. Many of the city’s architectural gems were built during this period such as Gazi Husrev Bey’s and The Emperor’s Mosques. Baščaršija – the city’s, once great, bazaar – was also constructed during the same period. By the beginning of the XVII century, Sarajevo grew into a vibrant community of artisans and an important merchant trading post, as well as one of the most significant cities in the European part of Ottoman Empire.The city's second architectural expansion started following the Austro-Hungarian occupation in the late 19th century and lasted until the beginning of World War I in 1914. The city was modernized during this period. Austro-Hungarians established the city’s first public transportation system and the first telephone lines. Many cultural and educational institutions were founded in this period as well, including the National (Land) Museum, the First Sheriate Law High School and the National Theater. Sarajevo City Hall, Ashkenazi Synagogue, and Catholic Cathedral were also added to the expanding city. The growth of Sarajevo was interrupted on June 28, 1914 when Gavrilo Princip assassinated Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophia during their visit to Sarajevo, setting off an unfortunate chain of events that led to the start of World War I.Following the Treaty of Versailles in 1918 that ended World War I, Sarajevo, along with Bosnia and Herzegovina, became a part of the newly-formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. It remained within the later-renamed Kingdom of Yugoslavia until the beginning of World War II, when the monarchy was abolished and, following the end of the war, the new socialist Yugoslavia was created. The general plan for development of Sarajevo was adopted in 1945, and the city that suffered tremendous losses during World War II, was not only rebuilt but considerably expanded as well. Sarajevo almost tripled in size during its third expansion occurring in the formative years of socialist Yugoslavia. By 1984, when the city hosted 14th Winter Olympic Games, Sarajevo was a modern city of around 500,000 people.Unfortunately, the Olympic flame was to flicker for a brief period of time only. Eight years later, in 1992, Sarajevo was trapped in a siege that lasted until the end of 1995. In addition to being exposed to daily sniper and mortar fire, the inhabitants of the city suffered severe shortages of food and fuel during the nearly four-year siege. Thousands of mortars fell upon the city, killing many and severally damaging it. The only life-line was an 800-meter-long tunnel, dubbed Tunnel of Hope, through which food and other supplies were brought in. To fight back the despair, people of Sarajevo attempted to preserve some degree of normalcy. Consequently, classes were held in bomb shelters, plays were shown in basement make-shift theaters, and Sarajevo’s famed Sarajevo Film Festival was held in the besieged city in the summer of 1995.Despite the fact that the scars of war are still very visible everywhere you look, Sarajevo’s spirit remains unbroken and the city is slowly reclaiming its shine. Explore the pages of www.sonar.ba to get acquainted with what Sarajevo offers today. But, to feel its relaxing atmosphere and a surprisingly vibrant night-life, you must visit Sarajevo in person. Its even-tempered attitude and a welcoming atmosphere will put you at ease at once. Visitors beware: There is something irresistible about Sarajevo that might entice you to stay longer than planned. Culture of living
Coffee is a national drink of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The drink was introduced to Bosnia with the arrival of Ottomans. Traditional Bosnian coffee is prepared in special coffee pots (džezva) and served in miniature coffee cups (fildžan).The fact that Bosnians have a name for each coffee depending on the occasion in which it is served, attests to the importance of this drink in Bosnian culture. Some types of coffees served during the day are:
Razgalica - is the first morning coffee.
Razgovoruša - is the coffee that Bosnians drink later in the morning and usually with friends and work colleagues.
Sikteruša - is served after a gathering and it is a polite way to tell the guests that it is time to leave.
Inhabitants of Sarajevo purchase fresh produce daily. Although each part of Sarajevo has its own open-air market, Navigator recommends visiting Markale, the city's most beautiful market, where you can buy fresh produce and flowers.
At the back of it is a memorial wall dedicated to citizens of Sarajevo who died in 1994, in one of the bloodiest days during the four-year siege of Sarajevo.Stroll through Gradska Tržnica (covered meat and dairy market) on Ferhadija Street! The custom is to sample food without any obligation to buy. Tržnica offers an array of domestic cheeses such as Livanjski or Travnički as well as cured meats. The sellers will be more than happy to explain the quality of their products and bargaining is welcomed.
