Miljacka

Miljacka is a river in Bosnia and Herzegovina best known for flowing through the capital city of Sarajevo. It is a right-bank tributary of the Bosna River and has a length of about 31 kilometers. The river rises in the hills surrounding the Sarajevo region and travels generally eastward, crossing the urban landscape where it is spanned by numerous bridges.

In Sarajevo, the Miljacka has shaped the city’s layout and character, with historic sites, neighborhoods, and public spaces lining its banks. The Latin Bridge, or Latinska ćuprija, is one of the most famous crossings over the Miljacka and is associated with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, an event widely recognized as a catalyst for World War I. The river’s path through the city features a mix of old town scars, cultural institutions, and modern developments, making it a central element of Sarajevo’s identity.

Beyond the urban core, the Miljacka valley includes wooded and more natural stretches, where the river’s upper course has cascades and smaller streams before it broadens as it approaches the Bosna. The watershed supports local biodiversity and offers opportunities for recreation along promenades and parks that line the water.

Environmental management has focused on balancing urban use with ecological health, addressing flood risks, and improving water quality. The Miljacka remains a key hydrological and cultural feature of Sarajevo, contributing to the city’s scenery, history, and everyday life.