Sarajevo Architecture

Baščaršija is Sarajevo’s old bazaar and the historical and cultural center of the capital city. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

aka Havadza Durak Mosque is located on the main Bascarsija Square.

• Style: Islamic architecture
• Built: before 1528
• Address: VC5J+MF8, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

It underwent significant reconstruction following damage during the war from 1992 to 1995. The mosque was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2006.

The Sebilj Fountain is an Ottoman-style wooden fountain located in the center of Baščaršija Square.

• Architect: Mehmed Pasha Kukavica
• Style: Ottoman
• Built: 1753 (originally)
• Address: Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

In 1891, the fountain was moved several meters to its current position.

The Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque aka Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque aka Bey’s Mosque is located in the center of Baščaršija.

• Architect: Acem Ali
• Style: Ottoman
• Built: 1530
• Address: Sarači 8, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

It is the largest mosque in Sarajevo and is considered the most important architectural monument from the Ottoman Period in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Gazi Husrev Bey’s Sadrvan (Gazi Husrev Bey’s Šadrvan), a large covered public water fountain, is located in the center of the courtyard in front of Gazi Husrev Bey’s Mosque.

• Built: originally 1530; rebuilt 1893
• Address: Sarači 8, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

It has been reconstructed numerous times since it was initially built. The current fountain was built in 1893; however, it underwent significant repairs in 1997 and 2002.

Sarajevo’s Old Clock Tower is 30 meters tall.

• Built: originally 16th century; rebuilt 1697 and 1762
• Address: VC5H+MCM, Mudželeti Veliki, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The tower’s clock is the only public clock in the world that keeps lunar time to indicate the times for Muslims to perform five daily prayers.

Gazi Husrev Bey’s Bezistan (aka Old Bezistan and Great Bezistan), presumably built around 1540, is a covered bazaar in the Baščaršija.

In addition to the Havadža Durak Mosque and Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque in Baščaršija, there are multiple other mosques in Sarajevo.

Ferhadija Mosque aka Ferhat Pasha Mosque

• Style: Ottoman
• Built: 16th century
• Address: Ferhadija, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Kalin hadži Alijina mosque aka Čejirdžik mosque 

• Built: 1535; destroyed 1947
• Address: corner of Branilaca Sarajevo and Kulović streets

Ali Pasha’s Mosque is considered one of the most important mosques in Bosnia to be built in the classical Ottoman style.

• Style: Ottoman
• Built: 1560 or 1561
• Address: VC57+635, Hamze Hume, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Sacred Heart Cathedral aka Sarajevo Cathedral) is the largest Catholic church in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• Architect: Josip Vancaš
• Style: Neo-Gothic with Romanesque towers
• Built: 1884 to 1889
• Address: Trg Fra Grge Martića 2, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

There is a statue of Pope John Paul II in front of the church. He visited Sarajevo in 1997, soon after the war had ended, to send a message of peace and tolerance from the Bosnian capital.

The Congregational Church of the Holy Mother aka Cathedral Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos aka Saborna Church is the largest Orthodox church in Sarajevo and one of the largest in the Balkans.

• Architect: Andrey Damyanov
• Style: Baroque
• Built: 1863 to 1874
• Address: Zelenih beretki 1, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

• Architect: Karel Pařík
• Style: Romanesque Revival
• Built: 1939
• Address: VC44+GQ5, Fra Anđela Zvizdovića, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The City Hall (Vijećnica) was the most expensive architectural project in the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time it was completed.

• Architect: Karel Pařík, Ćiril Iveković, Alexander Wittek
• Style: pseudo-Moorish
• Built: completed 1896
• Address: VC5M+H98, Obala Kulina bana, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The blending of Eastern and Western architectural styles is as a symbol of the meeting of world civilizations.

During the siege of Sarajevo, the building was set on fire resulting in extensive damage. The reconstruction started in 1996 and City Hall was officially re-opened on May 9, 2014.

Eternal Flame (Vječna vatra)

• Architect: Juraj Neidhardt
• Built: 1946
• Address: VC5C+GPH, Ferhadija, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

• Architect: Josip Vancaš
• Style: Neoclassical
• Address: Obala Kulina bana 8, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

University of Sarajevo Faculty of Law aka Sarajevo Law School

• Built: 1850s
• Address: Obala Kulina bana 7, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Šeher Ćehaja Bridge aka Mayor’s Bridge

• Year Built: c. 1585 or 1586
• Address: VC5M+GJ3, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

aka Careva Ćuprija

• Address: VC5J+672 Konak, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Latin Bridge crosses the Miljacka near the City Hall.

• Style: Ottoman
• Built: 1798 to 1799
• Address: BA, Obala Kulina Bana bb, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, which ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I, occurred on the northern end of the bridge in 1914.

Most Čobanija

• Built: 1888
• Address: 71000, Čobanija, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

aka Loop Brucke aka Festina Lente

• Architect: Adnan Alagić, Amila Hrustić and Bojana Kanlić
• Built: opened August 22, 2012
• Address: VC49+G2H, Miljacka,, Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

aka Skenderija Bridge

• Architect: Gustave Eiffel (unconfirmed)
• Built: 1893
• Address: VC47+FMH, Obala Kulina bana, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The bridge was reconstructed in 2004.

Ferhadija Street is a beautiful pedestrian-only space in Sarajevo. It is one of the most famous streets in the city, attracting tourists from all over the world who enjoy strolling along peacefully, admiring the architecture, and enjoying delicious food at some of Sarajevo’s best restaurants.

The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina was established in 1888 during Austro-Hungarian rule.

Address: Zmaja od Bosne 3, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Austro-Hungarian influence is evident in Sarajevo’s architectural landscape, showcasing a blend of styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable examples include the City Hall and the National Museum, reflecting the elegance and grandeur of this period. These buildings stand out amidst the city’s diverse architectural heritage, offering a glimpse into Sarajevo’s rich history and cultural evolution. The meticulous attention to detail and ornate designs make these structures a must-see for architecture enthusiasts visiting the city.

Sarajevo architecture boasts a unique blend of styles, with a particular focus on Yugoslavian architecture from the brutalist era. The city showcases impressive examples of socialist architecture from the 1970s, reflecting the historical context of that period. Walking through Sarajevo, visitors can witness the contrast between brutalist structures and Ottoman neighborhoods, creating a captivating architectural tapestry that tells the story of the city’s past.

The Siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War had a profound impact on the city’s architectural landscape. The conflict led to significant destruction of buildings, impacting the architectural heritage of the region. The siege resulted in a mix of old structures being destroyed and new buildings sprouting up in recent years. This blend of historical preservation and modern reconstruction reflects the resilience and adaptability of Sarajevo’s architectural evolution.

In the future, Sarajevo’s architecture is poised for a blend of tradition and modernity. With a focus on preserving its rich Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian heritage while embracing contemporary design trends, the city is set to become a unique melting pot of architectural styles. Innovative urban planning initiatives and a growing emphasis on sustainable development are expected to shape Sarajevo’s skyline. The integration of new technologies and a commitment to preserving historical landmarks will ensure a harmonious coexistence of the old and the new.

The Bosnian architectural style is a specific expression that emerged at the beginning of the 20th century. It evolved from the traditional architecture of the Vienna Secession and from the awareness of the fact that the work originated in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sarajevo became known for its large marketplace and numerous mosques, which by the middle of the 16th century numbered more than 100. At the Ottoman Empire’s peak, Sarajevo was the biggest and most important city in the Balkans after Istanbul.

The biggest ethnic group in Sarajevo is the Bosniaks, who, with more than 230,000 people, make up 77.4% of the city’s population. They are followed by the Croats, with a population of 14,000 (5% of the population), and the Serbs, of which there are some 10,000 (3% of the population).

Zaha Hadid was an architect known for her radical deconstructivist designs. She was the first woman awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004.