Welcome to Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Sarajevo
For over four hundred years, mosques, synagogues, Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches have been built and have stood side by side here.
Citizens of different nationalities and religious orientations live and work together, developing their city and their own style of togetherness regardless of conquerors and foreign rulers whose identity changed over and over again, fast or slowly, depending on the historical and geopolitical situations and the great-power interests. The river Miljacka flows through the city from east to west and is one of the city's chief geographic features. The source of the river Bosna, Vrelo Bosne is found on the city's outskirts near Ilidža and is one of the most well known natural landmarks in the country.
The city is surrounded by five major mountains. They are part of the Dinaric Alps mountain range that winds through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. The mountains are popular tourist attractions for hiking and sking. In alphabetical order they are: Bjelašnica, Igman, Jahorina, Trebević and Treskavica.
Sarajevo is located close to the geometric center of the triangularly-shaped Bosnia and Herzegovina, and covers some 142 km2(88.2 mi2) of land. The core of the city is built in the Sarajevo valley (Also translated as Sarajevo field), a small depression 500 meters above sea level nestled in between the surrounding mountains. Although much of the city itself is relatively flat, some of the outskirts and far eastern parts are hilly. Neighborhoods in the old town in particular are well known for their steep streets and landscape.
Climate
Sarajevo has a continental climate, lying between the climate zones of central Europe to the North and the Mediterranean to the South. Sarajevo experiences warm summers, with temperatures of 35 °C (95 °F) not being uncommon, and cold winters, when snow is guaranteed due to the city's high altitude. Sarajevo has three major weather stations. They are located on Bjelašnica mountain, Butmir, and in the city itself.
The warmest month of the year is July, when the average temperature is about 19 °C (66 °F), although August's average temperature is only a degree lower. The coldest month of the year is January when the average temperature is -1 °C (30 °F). The average year-round temperature is 10 °C (45 °F).
Sarajevo receives about 905 mm (36 inches) of preciptation in a year. The rainiest month is October when the city receives 89.4 mm (3.5 in) of rainfall. The dryest is February when the city gets only 61.4 mm (2.4 in) of precipitation. Average atmospheric pressure at the city's elevation is 942.3 millibars, and this varies little throughout the year.
History
Perhaps no other city represents the promise and the tragedy of the Balkans than Sarajevo. Located in the river valley of the Bosna and Neretva Rivers (at the Miljacka River), Sarajevo stands at the crossroads between Asia Minor and Central Europe. This resulted in the greatest diversity of anywhere in Southeastern Europe, the greatest potential for peaceful co-existence of cultures and also the greatest potential for turf battles.
Neolithic remains in the area indicate human habitation as early as 2400 B.C. However, like elsewhere in the region, the first recorded inhabitants were the Illyrians (the ancestors of today’s Albanians).
Roman and Goth settlements were followed by Slavs from Serbia in the 7th century. Bosnia was first mentioned by name in the Middle Ages and the area which would eventually encompass Sarajevo was known as Vhrbosna. When Hungary ruled Croatia in the early 12th century, it also extended its power to Bosnia, but not for long. Bosnia earned freedom from Hungarian control and start to develop as an independent kingdom.
Sarajevo and Bosnia essentially became the dividing line between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox faiths when the church divided between Rome and Byzantium. As a reaction to being caught between the Catholic and Orthodox worlds, an ascetic Christian cult developed in the 12th century. Known as the Bogumils, they were loosely linked to Manicheenism in their austerity and belief in the human aspects of Christ.
Through its history, Sarajevo's location made it become a melting pot of cultures and religions: Catholic from Croatia, Slavic Orthodox from Serbia, Sephardic Judaism from Southwestern Europe, and ultimately Islam from Turkey.
Its location at such a crossroads not only made Sarajevo a trading center, but also a prize to be conquered. In the 15th century, the Bosnian Kingdom was taken over by the Ottoman Empire. It was in this period that many of the Bogumils converted to Islam, possibly in exchange for military protection, keeping land or being free from feudal obligations.
These economic reasons for conversion meant that Bosnian Islam would develop in its own way distinct from Islam practiced in the Middle East and North Africa. Even today, Sarajevo represents an unusual duality - the faithful attend mosques, smoking and alcoholic drink are commonplace, and women dress in high fashion western clothing.
It was also during the Ottoman rule that Sarajevo officially came to be. Called Saraj Ovas (or Castle Field in Turkish), Sarajevo was first mentioned by name in the early 1500s. It became the first Turkish military base. The Ottoman influence and Sarajevo's unique location helped it develop into a major city for trade. The Bascarsija became one of the city's main bazaars and center for trade, culture, and Islam in Bosnia and Sarajevo was renowned for its skilled craftsmen.
In 1697, the city was burned by Prince Eugene of Savoy trying to regain the territory for Austria. Sarajevo once again became a turf to be fought over by both the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires.
In the early 19th century, Bosnian peasants revolted against control from either Empire, but were ultimately suppressed. Serbia and Montenegro supported the peasantry by declaring war against Turkey, with the assistance of Russia. By this time, Sarajevo was the effective capital of Bosnia.
After Austria-Hungary defeated the Ottoman Empire in 1878, Sarajevo was once again occupied under a different administration. Ostensibly it had some autonomy and Vienna invested heavily in industrializing the city. Although Bosnia was considered autonomous, Austria-Hungary officially annexed the area in 1908.
Sarajevo was first put on the world map in 1914 as the site where Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip assassinated the heir to the Austrian throne and precipitated World War I. Bosnians of Croatian origin tended to side with Austria-Hungary while Bosnians of Serbian origin were more sympathetic towards Princip's wish to unite with Serbia. Muslims were divided.
At war's end, Bosnia joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (what would ultimately become Yugoslavia). During World War II, it was occupied by the Croatian Ustashe state.
After World War II, Sarajevo became a regional capital of the Bosnian Republic within Socialist Yugoslavia. Although Bosnia was one of the poorer of the Yugoslav republics, Sarajevo developed into one of the most vibrant cultural and intellectual centers of the country. It showed off its mountainous beauty and hospitality as the host of the 1984 Winter Olympics. The multi-ethnic city in the most westernized socialist state was a symbol of unity. Less than a decade later, history would take Sarajevo and Bosnia on a different track.
After Bosnia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1992, Serbia with bosnians serbs help started agresion on Bosnia and Herzegovina and Capital city. Sarajevo became a temporary refuge for thousands of Muslims forced out of rural villages. But this would not last as Bosnian Serb forces, supported by the Yugoslav National Army, surrounded Sarajevo and proceeded to bomb the valley city from the hills. Within a month, the Grbavica section of Sarajevo was occupied and the rest of it was subject to shelling, sniper attacks, and starvation.
The images associated with Sarajevo from this time: bombed buildings, bullet-ridden streetcars, an Olympic stadium full of graves, ordinary citizens trying to cross a street under sniper fire or being killed while shopping for vegetables at a market. The siege of Sarajevo lasted nearly 1400 days, ending in 1996, just a few months after the Dayton Peace Accords.
The city which boasted a 1991 population of nearly 526,000 people saw over 10,000 deaths and 50,000 injuries as a direct result of war. In addition the casualties, thousands left the city altogether - emigrating elsewhere in Europe, North America, and Australia. After four years of war, Sarajevo's population had diminished to somewhere between 349,000.
SARAJEVO 1984 XIV - Olympic Winter Games
Sarajevo was quite a surprising choice for the Winter Olympics, as no Yugoslavian athlete had ever won an Olympic medal in the Winter Games.
In 1984, the Winter Games took place in a Socialist country for the first and only time. The people of Sarajevo gained high marks for their hospitality, and there was no indication of the tragic war that would engulf the city only a few years later.
Skier Jure Franko brought joy to the host nation by earning Yugoslavia’s first Winter Olympics medal: a silver in the giant slalom. Marja-Liisa Hämäläinen won all three individual cross-country races for women. In speed skating, Gaétan Boucher and Karin Enke each won two gold medals. Biathlete Eirik Kvalfoss earned a complete set of medals.
Twin brothers Phil and Steve Mahre took first and second place in the slalom. The highlight of the figure skating competitions was the free dance performance of Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean. Their interpretation of Ravel’s Bolero earned across-the-board perfect scores for artistic impression.
Sarajevo 8 February 1984. Arrival of the Olympic Flag.
One event is added to women's Nordic skiing - the 20km race, which give women a total of four races.
Friendly ski-wolf "Vucko" was a symbol of the Olympic Games.
- 49 NOCs (Nations)
- 1.272 athletes (274 women, 998 men)
- 39 events
- 10.450 volunteers
- 7.393 media (2.363 written press, 5.030 broadcasters)
Sarajevo - Accommodation
Name Hotel: "Holliday Inn" -
Recomended
Adress: Zmaja od Bosne 4
Web page: www.holiday-inn.com/sarajevo
Tel/fax: +387 33 288 000 / 663 862
"Hotel Bosnia"
Adress: Kulovića 9
Web page: www.bosniahotels.com
Tel/fax: +387 33 209 454 / 444 - 572
"Hotel Astra"
Adress: zelenih beretki 9
Web page: www.hotel-astra.com.ba
Tel/fax: +387 33 252-100 / 252-200
"Hotel Astra Garni"
Adress: Kundurdžiluk 2
Web page: www.hotel-astra.com.ba
Tel/fax: +387 33 475-100 / 209-939
"Hotel Italia"
Pofalićka 7
www.hotelitalia.ba
Tel/Fax: +387 33 650 – 450 / 231 938
"Hotel Dardanija"
Radićeva 19
www.dardanija.cjb.net
Tel/fax: +387 33 213 613 / 213 616
"Hotel Europa – Garni"
Vladislava Škarića 3
www.europa-garni.ba
Tel: +387 33 232 851 / 232 855
"Hotel Saraj"
Nevjestina 5
www.hotelsaraj.com
Tel/fax: +387 33 237 810 / 233 500
"Hotel Grand"
M. ef. Pandže 7
www.hotelgrand.com
Tel/fax: +387 33 205 444 / 205 866
"Hotel Palas"
Krivajska 1
www.palas.com.ba
Tel/fax: 387 33 655 782 / 656 767
"Hotel Belvedere"
Višnjik 2-4
www.belvedere-sa.com
Tel/fax: +387 33 262 140 / 206 470
"Hotel Halvat"
Kasima ef. Dobrače 5
www.halvat.com.ba
Tel: +387 33 237 714 / 237 715
Mobile: 061 130 093
"Omega Ambasador Hotel"
Omera Stupca19
Tel/ Fax: 277 200 / 277 249
Hotel "Orijent"
Oprkanj 6
www.villa.ba
Tel/fax: +387 33 232 702 / 441 044
The list of the pensions in Sarajevo
follows.
"Pansion Čobanija"
Čobanija 29
Tel / Fax: +387 33 441 749 / 203 937
"Halvat"
Kasima ef. Dobrače 5
www.halvat.com.ba
Tel: +387 33 237 714 / 237 715
"Meridijan"
Jaroslava Černija 3
www.meridian.ba
Tel/fax: +387 33 446 177 / 446 176
"America"
Himzarina 23
Tel: +387 33 214 445
"Hondo"
Zaima Šarca 23
Tel: +387 33 666 564
"Relax House"
Safvet bega Bašagića 36
Tel: +387 33 238 726
"Dom Faletići"
Ul. Faletići br 4
www.domfaletici.co.ba
Camping
In the wider area of Sarajevo, in the suburb of Ilidža, the camping site "Oaza" was opened recently. It is fully refurbished and it hosted the first guests in May this year.
Kamp "Oaza"
Hrasnička cesta 14
71000 Sarajevo
Tel: +387 33 636 140
We believe that there is no need for a special
introduction into the night life of Sarajevo,
particularly during the Film Festival in
Summer. Nevertheless, here is a short lost
of cafes, clubs, bars and discos that could
be good starting point to explore Sarajevo
by Night.
Sarajevo - Entertainment
BARS AND CLUBS
"Obala Meeting Point"
ADRESS:Hamdije Kreševljakovića 13
Telephone :+387 33 668-186
"Club Rock"
Kranjčevićeva bb.
+387 33 211 911
"Babaloo"
Kranjčevićeva 19
+387 33 208-595
"Brasil"
Dalmatinska 2
+387 33 666-000
"Central Café"
Štrosmajerova bb
+387 33 200-442
"City Bar"
Alipašina
+387 33 299-948
"Euronet Y caffe"
Obala Kulina Bana 2
+387 33 668-227
"Galerija"
Čemaluša 12
+387 33 210-205
"Gradska kafana"
Fra Grge Martića 4
+387 33 207-961
"Kogo"
Dalmatinska 2
+387 33 213-465
"Mama Mia"
Himze Polovine 45
+387 61 552-453
"Manhattan"
Kulovića 15
+387 33 204-498
"Metropolis"
Maršala Tita 21
+387 33 203-315
"Michelle"
Ferhadija 25
+387 33 444-484
"Opera"
Branilaca Sarajeva 25
+387 61 156-943
"Quadro"
Štrosmajerova bb
+387 33 220 356
CLUBS
"Barhana"
Džulagina Čikma 8
+387 61 365-408
"Bilijar klub 69"
Merhemića Trg bb
+387 33 66 47 85
"Boemi"
Valtera Perića 16
+387 61 374-350
"Bock"
Musala b.b.
+387 61 172 227
"Buddha bar"
Radičeva 10
+387 61 172 894
"City Pub"
Hadžiristićeva bb
+387 33 209-789
"Extreme club"
Kranjčevićeva 43
+387 33 172-794
Marquee
Obala Kulina Bana 6
"Oscar"
Merhemića trg 14
+387 33 714-680
"Pub Guinness"
Ferhadija 28
+387 61 722-260
"Rock Teatar"
Čobanija 10
"SA club"
Kranjčevićeva bb
+387 33 211 911
"Urban Loco club"
Tekija čikma bb
CASINO
"Coloseum club"
Terazije bb
+387 33 250-860
"Admiral"
Kulovića 7
+387 33 650-459
"Hot Casino"
Grbavička 5
"Pivnica"
HS
Franjevačka 15
+387 33 239-740
Sarajevo Restaurants
"Brazil"
Adress: Dalmatinska 6
Tel: +387 33 666-000
"Fellini"
Branilaca Sarajeva 5
Tel: +387 33 441-716
"Kibe"
Adress: Vrbanjuša 164
Tel: +387 33 441-936
"Staklo"
Adress: Bravadžiluk veliki 5
Tel: +387 33 538-359
"Vinoteka"
Skenderija 12
Tel: +387 33 214-996
Web page: www.vinoteka.ba
"Avlija"
Čekaluša 64a
+387 33 444-483
"Bazeni"
- Bentbaša bb
+387 33 441-240
"Bon Appetit"
Kranjčevićeva 11
+387 33 223-715
"Caballo"
Himze Polovine 37
+387 33 221-819
"Cappuccino"
Grbavička 8
+387 33 523-637
"Cedar"
Despićeva 8
+387 33 209-789
"Hot Wok Café"
Titova 12
info@hotwokcaffe.com
+387 61 171-760
"Lovac"
Petrakijna 24
+387 33 664-176
"Magnum"
Kranjčevićeva 18
+387 33 213-334
"Peppers"
Zagrabačka 4
+387 33 201-550
"Park Prinčeva"
Iza Hrida 7
+387 33 532-403
"The Club"
Titova 7
info@theclub.ba
tel: +387 33 550-550
fax: +387 33 208-288
"Via Del Corso"
Kolodvorska 11
info@viadelcorso.co.ba
+387 33 718-595
PIZZERIE
"Dandee"
Patriotske lige 25
+387 33 212-171
"Diablo"
Dr Mustafe Pintola 2
+387 33 621-998
"Galija"
Čobanija 20
+387 33 443-350
"Pizza Hot"
Ferhadija 5
+387 33 211-202
"Pomodorino"
Branilaca Sarajeva 51
+387 33 218-810
"U2"
Kulovića 13
+387 33 215-700, 217-217
NATIONAL COOKING
"Ašdžinica ASDŽ"
Veliki Čurčiluk 1
+387 33 537-503, 447-853
"Ćevabdžinica Hodžić"
Bravadžiluk 34
+387 33 532-866
"Ćevabdžinica Mrkva"
Bravadžiluk 13
+387 33 532-519
"Ćevabdžinica Željo"
Kundudžiluk 19
+387 33 447-000
"Inat kuća"
Veliki Alifakovac 1
+387 33 447-867
SARAJEVO CINEMAS
Unitic
Fra Anđela Zvizdovića 1,
+387 33 295 001
Apolo
Mis Ibrina 3
+387 33 445 201
BKC
Branilaca Sarajeva 24
+387 33 205 538
Bosna
Alipašina 19
Imperijal
Maršala Tita 56
+387 33 443 021
Obala Meeting Point
Hamdije Kreševljakovića 13
+387 33 668 186
Tesla
Obala Kulina Bana 2
+387 33 443 617
SARAJEVO THEATRES
Centar za kulturu
Jelića 1
+387 33 232 595
Kamerni teatar 55 - CHAMBER THEATER '55
Maršala Tita 54/II
+387 33 471 184
Narodno pozorište - THE NATIONAL THEATER
Obala Kulina Bana 9
+387 33 663 647
Pokretno pozorište
Husrefa Redžića 10
+387 33 219 805
Pozorište mladih - SARAJEVO YOUTH THEATER
Kulovića 8
+387 33 205 799
SARTR
Dalmatinska 2
+387 33 665 189
SARAJEVO MUSEUMS
Zemaljski Muzej BiH - BiH LAND MUSEUM
Zmaja od Bosne 3
+387 33 668 027
MUZEJ KNJIŽEVNOSTI I POZORIŠNE UMJETNOSTI
BIH /
BIH MUSEUM OF LITERATURE AND THEATER ARTS
S. M. Sarajlije 7
+387 33 471 828
Muzej grada Sarajeva - CITY OF SARAJEVO
MUSEUM
Obala Kulina bana
+387 33 533 288
Jevrejski muzej - BiH JEWISH MUSEUM
Velika avlija b.b.
+387 33 663 473
Historijski muzej BiH - BiH HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Zmaja od Bosne 5
+387 33 210 418
Despića kuća – Despic Haus
Despića b.b.
+387 33 215 534
