In the night from the 25th on 26th of August 1992, the Sarajevo City Hall was bombed by the forces of JNA and the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS). Two million books were engulfed in flames as well as 300 manuscripts of inestimable value. One of the most beautiful and the most representative buildings from the Austro-Hungarian period was burnt to the ground. In just several hours, flames swallowed the national treasure of the National and University Library of BiH, which has been available to citizens for almost half a century.
Firefighters have unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the fire, citizens have taken out books and tried to save what has been an inseparable part of the culture of the people of BiH throughout the history. The renovation lasted for 18 years.
The restored City Hall was officially opened on the 9th of May 2014 on the Day of Victory over Fascism, and thousands of tourists and people visit the City Hall and admired her inner and outer beauty.
(Source: nap.ba)
