Sarajevo

Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the central part of the country in a valley along the Miljacka River and surrounded by the Dinaric Alps. It serves as the administrative and cultural center of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and hosts government offices, universities, and regional institutions. The city’s geography and position at a crossroads of East and West have made it a hub of trade, ideas, and cultural exchange for centuries.

Historically, Sarajevo blends Ottoman and European influences. The Baščaršija bazaar area preserves Ottoman-era mosques, hammams, and copper shops, while Austro-Hungarian rule introduced European-style public buildings, including the City Hall known as Vijećnica. The Latin Bridge marks the site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination in 1914, an event that helped trigger World War I. In 1984, Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics, with venues in nearby mountains such as Jahorina and Bjelašnica.

The city endured a prolonged siege from 1992 to 1996 during the Bosnian War, becoming a symbol of urban resilience. The National and University Library, housed in Vijećnica, burned in 1992, with efforts since then to restore cultural institutions and infrastructure. Sarajevo remains a cultural center, hosting the Sarajevo Film Festival and numerous museums and theaters.

Demographically, Sarajevo is home to Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats, with Islam, Orthodoxy, and Catholicism practiced there. The commonly spoken languages are Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian. The city continues to grow as a center for education, tourism, and EU-oriented development.