Sarajevo is the equivalent of Sarajevo in many languages, especially in English . Located in the Sarajevo Valley, around the Miljacka River, on the slopes of the green hills surrounding it, this Sarajevo, with a population of 600 thousand, is the capital and also the largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a city where I enjoy walking randomly on its streets.
Sarajevo is one of the most important cultural cities in the Balkans. It has a population of over 600 thousand people who are diverse in terms of religion and ethnicity. For centuries, Muslims, Christians and Jews have lived together. Orthodox and Catholic churches, mosque and synagogue are in the same area, almost side by side. This is why it is often called the Jerusalem of Europe.
Sarajevo is one of the most important cultural cities in the Balkans. Known for its spirit of cultural diversity, Sarajevo is the only European capital to boast a mosque, Orthodox church, Catholic cathedral and synagogue in one street. It is also a place where East meets West, where traditional and modern go hand in hand.
A little east and a little west, Sarajevo is a great choice for those who are looking for a route for a visa-free and affordable weekend trip. I visited this city both in winter and spring. During the winter season, when I went for the first time, I liked the city very much, where I walked street by street for 2 days.
The city, which showed its real development in this period, became the largest city established by the Ottomans in Europe with its very important public works activities. The most important turning point for Bosnians was the declaration of independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992. The siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War, which lasted until 1995, immediately after the declaration of independence, resulted in large-scale destruction and dramatic population change.
Thousands of Sarajevo lost their lives during the bombardment and clashes during the siege. It is possible to see the traces of massacre and destruction on the streets of the city even today. The traces of the war that lasted 3 years are still alive. The city is full of white tombstones of martyrdoms.
Almost everywhere you go, you can observe the ruined buildings from the war, structures adorned with bullet holes, and you can comprehend the dimensions of the war much better. After this bloody period, which is estimated to have killed more than a hundred thousand people, with the Dayton Agreement signed in December 1995, the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina was officially established.
In the nineties, Sarajevo was called the most dangerous city in the world, but now it is one of the safest and even the fastest changing cities in Europe. Visitors can wander among the historical places of worship of Muslims, Jews and Christians. Don’t just get stuck with the places on the list, wander through random streets.
These sad lands of recent history are now dominated by peace and tranquility. Sarajevo, which is the capital of the country and which contains Western and Eastern civilizations at the same time, is one of the must-see places in the Balkans.
Almost all of the buildings destroyed during the Bosnian War in Sarajevo were repaired, and some were replaced by new ones. Newly opened cafes, restaurants and shops give the city a modern and lively look. If you add to this the hospitality and gentle and tolerant nature of the people of Sarajevo, a very pleasant city emerges.
Sarajevo people seem accustomed to people coming from Turkey . You can often hear Turkish conversations on the streets. Turkish menus and signs are everywhere in Başçarşı. Balkan tour packages have an importance in this, but it makes me sad that these beautiful cities are visited in a hurry with accelerated tour packages.
