To understand Sarajevo you have to know its background. Sarajevo was founded by the Ottomans in the XV century, so for almost 4oo years Sarajevo was part of the Ottoman empire. This can be seen in its architecture, religion, food and traditions.
Down bellow we share top five places to visit in Sarajevo as well as recommended places to stay with its most renown brand in Congress Tourism, Congress & Termal Spa Resort Hills Sarajevo.
1. Bascarsija
The name Bascarsija derived from the Turkish words ”Bash” meaning ”head” or, in this case , ”main” and ”carshi” meaning ”crossroads” or ”commercial street”. Bascarsija was originally used for the central square (presently Bashcarsja Square) in the historic center of Sarajevo, but was adopted over time for the entire Otoman-era section of the city. The area encompasses the Old Orthodox Church, Gazi Hus rev -bey’s mosque, a madrassa (Islamic religious school) and library, as well as the Clock Tower, the Old Synagogue, Bursa and Gazi Hus rev-bey’s bezistans, Sarajevo City Hall and numerous other historic and cultural landmarks. The entire area is designated a historic monument and is under the protection of the state. One of the most iconic attractions in Bascarsija is Sebilj – a kiosk shaped wood and stone fountain, built in 1913 from the design of Alexander Wittek. The 16th-century Clock Tower, which stands 30 meters tall, is located in Bascarsija, Sarajevo’s ancient district. It is thought to be the only clock tower in the world that maintains lunar time, allowing local Muslims to announce their prayers according to the movement of the Sun and Moon, and striking midnight at sunset. As the duration of the day changes, it is the clock keeper’s obligation to reset the clock on a regular basis. In the past an observatory of sorts located in the courtyard of the Gazi-Husrev-bey Mosque was used to make the delicate astronomical measurements required to keep time with the turning of celestial bodies. The current clockwork mechanism was brought from London in 1875 by Sarajevo merchants Hasimaga Glogjo and Mehaga Kapetanovic, while the hands and numbers on all four clock faces were gold-plated by Abdula Kasumagic, a renowned local clockmaker who served for a time as the clock keeper.
Typical Bosnian coffee and is not to be mistaken by the Turkish coffee because Bosnians will not like it. Copper pot is called ”djezva”
Sarajevo meeting of cultures is the name of a marker on Ferhadija Street, not far from Gazi Husrev -bey’s Bezistan, where the vertices of the city’s Austro-Hungarian section give way to Ottoman-era Bashcarsija. Sarajevo is often described a place where East and West meet -both because of its geographic location and because it was shaped by both the Islamic Ottoman Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The city’s historic transition from western Ottoman into south eastern Austro-Hungarian province is preserved in its architecture and is most visible on the site where the Sarajevo Meeting of cultures marker is installed.
2. Morica Han
Morica Han is the only preserved caravansary in Sarajevo, built in the Ottoman period to welcome travelling merchants and their caravans. It was a preferred meeting place of the city’s elders and traders – so much so that its name entered traditional Bosnian songs called sevdalinka. Hans like roadside inns in the past are commonly named after their donors, and this is true of Morica Han, which was named after Mustafa-aga Moric, the son of one of the two famed Moric brothers, Ibrahim-aga Moric. Nowadays, it houses several cafés and shops, as well as a restaurant serving traditional Bosnian food and Bosnian coffee.
3. Old Bezisten
Covered market or better known as Old Bezisten is one of the properties that belonged to Gazi Hus rev Bey’s perpetual endowment. During the Ottoman era, the shops inside the building sold various textiles, while the street-facing shops were used for the crafting and sale of gold and silver jewelry. The Bezisten has four entrances, two from the side of the mosque and one each from Ferhadija and ,,Zelenih Beretki,, street.
4. Vrelo Bosne – Springs of Bosnia river
The springs of the Bosnia river is a natural monument on the outskirts of Sarajevo, just 15 minutes’ drive from the city center. The Bosnia river emerges in the suburb of Ilidza mountain at the foot of the Igman mountain, and veins itself before broadening again, forming small lakes populated by fish and swans with verdant mini islands in their center and surrounded by lush vegetation. The local temperature in the summer can be several degrees lower than that of the city center, which is one of the reasons the spring of the Bosnia river has been a favorite picnic spot of Sarajevo for over a century. It features a well maintained picnic area that offers amenities such as benches, free barbecue facilities, playgrounds for children and a restaurant famed for its freshly caught grilled trout. The spring can be reached on foot or by horse-drawn carriage via the tree lined, 3.5 km meter long Grand Promenade. The tradition of using horse-drawn carriages on this site dates back to 1895 and is one of the most popular of Sarajevo’s attractions.
5. The Sarajevo war Tunnel
This underground tunnel was Sarajevo’s’s only link with the outside world from July 1993 until February 1996, when the 44-month Siege of Sarajevo ended. Over the course of six months, the tunnel was dug using only picks and shovels, with improvised candles made from tins filled with cooking oil as the excavator’s only source of light. The work was completed on 30th July 1993 and the besieged city was connected with the outside world by the 800 meters long, 1 meter wide and 15 meters high tunnel. Everything ran or was transported through it, including electricity cables, phone lines, fuel food etc. After the war, a section of the tunnel was converted into a museum, which also exhibits numerous items used by Sarajevo people during the longest siege of a city in modern history.
Sarajevo Travel Tips
– Getting around on foot in Sarajevo is easy. You will need to use public transport to travel to other parts of Sarajevo.
– Sarajevo has a dense public transport network. Trams and trolleybuses will take you through the city up and down the river flow, while buses and minibuses will take you across. The visitors arriving in Sarajevo can buy tickets at kiosks around stations or at the driver. Tickets must be validated on board.
– Autorent Sarajevo is the most reliable rent-a-car company that guarantee the best quality and safe travel. It is the most convenient way to reach further parts of the city or other parts of the country.
– Visitors can keep their water bottles for refill at one of the many water fountains in the city. Water from fountains is drinkable, and according to the people of Sarajevo, it is the best water ever. Sarajevo is surrounded by natural springs, and the water is rich in calcium.
Our Favorite Bosnian Tour
The mountains around Sarajevo offer stunning landscapes and numerous opportunities for day adventures. Romanian mountain is located in northeast Sarajevo just 25 km away. It’s highest peak, Lupoglav stands at 1652 m.a.s.l. On its plateau, 27 Illyrian settlement s have been found. On its slopes lies the Orlovaca Cave, with 2500 metres of explored underground canals, making it unique in the region.
Via Ferrara ”Sokolov put” located on this mountain features a 350-metres secure steel path and two suspension bridges. It is located at the Cervene Stjene, where you can test whether you’re up for a more serious adventure or if that’s your limit.
Kelley_B, Sep 2024
Lukomir Highland Village Hike
” One of the best Tours I had. The Tour Guide was extremely knowledgable sharing interesting stories and information on everything from Bosnia’s history to culture to plethora of available wild fruits for us to try”
Read more about Lukomir Highland Village Hike
Booking in Hotel Hills Sarajevo – the pearl of Congress Tourism
Sarajevo’s Hollywood and Hills hotels are among the most modern and well-known in this part of Europe. 4 and 5* categories operate as part of the Mrkulic Company. Both hotels are unique in BiH and in the region. Hotel Hills has 330 accommodation units (deluxe rooms and suites), restaurants, a Sky bar with a beautiful view of the surroundings, a complex of indoor and outdoor pools, wellness and spa centers, 13 different wellness spa/contents, a children’s playground on a magical 2000 square meters, congress center for organizing various seminars, conferences, congresses and corporate annual parties. In addition to all of the above, Hotel Hills is the only hotel in BiH that can boast of a convention center within the hotel, where various events can be organized: fairs, congresses for up to 4,500 people, concerts, plays, sports competitions within the Hills arena and other events that require a more complex organization for a few thousand people.
Superior accommodation, conference facilities, professional service with a dash of personality and a wide range of contents are what Hotel Hills and Hotel Hollywood Sarajevo guarantee.
In addition to the accommodation units in the Hills hotel, the Hollywood hotel has 470 deluxe rooms and suites, which are significant capacities for the organization of smaller as well as larger conferences. In addition to the 17 congress halls at the Hills Hotel and 20 halls at the Hollywood Hotel, there is also all the technical equipment that the hotel has for the smooth organization of events, starting from basic technical equipment such as a projector, screen, laptop all the way to a high-resolution led screen of a professional sound stage, lighting and similar with technically educated staff. In this way, hotel clients can very easily organize congresses, seminars, trainings without wasting valuable time in searching for the necessary technical equipment.
There are, of course, restaurants with national and international cuisine and the Sky Bar with a beautiful view of Sarajevo, which guests most often choose for festive dinners and parties.
Different capacities are the reason for the first arrival of guests in these two excellent hotels, because this offer can hardly be found in other hotels in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Another reason for returning is the commitment of the management team to make guests feel welcome. That is why the list of hotel foreign guests from the entire region is at an enviable level in both hotels.
Hotel Hills is the host of many business events, such as the SBF Sarajevo Business Forum and the SEF Sarajevo Energy Forum. The hotels have excellent cooperation with agencies from all over Europe and the world, as well as with international organizations that choose the best locations for their destinations. Hotels also cooperate with umbrella houses of various sports like the football federations of France, Italy, Macedonia, the Netherlands, and Northern Ireland.
Great location – friendly staff – Excellent stay – Booking hotel in Sarajevo by Trivago
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🌐 HOTELS IN SARAJEVO BY TRIVAGO
Don’t miss while in Sarajevo
Svrzo’s House – Glodjina 8, Old Town
This is the house of a rich Bosnian muslim merchant from the 18th century which is well preserved and turned into a museum . With a mere look at the house and its interior, you will get insight in way of life and understand some of the current habits of the people of Sarajevo.
The National Museum of Bosnia and Hercegovina
The National Museum of Bosnia and Hercegovina is always a good idea. If you get tired after 11 departments and Sarajevo Hagaddah,there is a botanical garden in the middle. This is the perfect place to explore the past around you and enjoy here and now.
Despic’s House, Despiceva 2, Old Town
Despic House is the house of a rich Bosnian ortodox merchant from the 17 th century which is well preserved and turned into a museum. This is the place where the first classical play was held in Sarajevo.
Visit Sarajevo’s places of worship. Most of the churches, cathedrals and mosques are free to visit. Refill your batteries in tranquil gardens and halls. Everybody is welcome, just do not forget the dress code. In case you are not sure about it, ask the insider.
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