The summer house Hadzihalilovica villa in Sarajevo settlement of Dobrinja was originally built in the 20’s of the 19th century. Only foundations and the shape of the house remained the same from old buildings, since it was destroyed to the ground in the last war. This is an object of cultural significance for the Municipality of Novi Grad.
The object was built by a reputable Sarajevo family Hadzihalilovic at a time of agricultural reform of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia destroyed all large farming households. The villa was kept and maintained through three generations as the center for meeting of the families, and became famous for its oriental library.
At the time when the house was built, life was going according to the cycles of the seasons. People would spend winters in the city and the bazaar, and in the spring landowners would go to their properties that were located in the vicinity of the city. These houses were built in order to make life of the family, workers and guests more comfortable and for them to feel like home.
Hadzihalilovica villa was constructed in the village of Dobrinja which was named after the river that was coming from the southern slopes of Trebevic Mountain. At the time of the Austro-Hungarian rule, the narrow-gauge railroad was passing by there as well.
The object is placed on the area of 220 m2 (ground and first floor), with two reception rooms and two dining rooms, a kitchen, bathroom, storage room and a stairway that connects the ground and first floor on the inner side. It has a lot of light from the south and has a small balcony that is made in oriental style. There was summerhouse as well that has been restored.
Unfortunately, the first line passed through Dobrinja during the war and the building was completely destroyed. It was declining for years, after which the municipality of Novi Grad bought it and started with its restoration in 2007. It was opened the next year.
“The library fund was completely destroyed in the war and we did not managed to renew it yet, but we will try to do it in the future, and the library should be located in the basement. Object kept the dimensions of the old house, as well as the basement and the form, but it is renovated in modern way. Also, we should emphasize the woodwork that is placed in all parts, and we tried to replace the rest with the furniture that was handmade in the style of that period,” said Ramiz Durakovic, Director of Lokom Ltd. Sarajevo that is managing the place.
There is well maintained garden with authentic horticultural crops and flowers, around the building and it has fountain as well. The space is designed for cultural events. It should be noted that the interior space is temporarily transformed into office space.
This object is intended for maintaining the cultural events of the literary, artistic and musical creativity, for protocol meetings, business meetings, promotions, tourist manifestations, presentations and similar events that are important for the municipality, the City and Canton of Sarajevo. It is often visited by the students from the municipality where they can learn more about the history and the purpose of houses like this.
Hadzihalilovica villa is residential facility registered as architectural heritage on the territory of Canton Sarajevo and immovable property inheritance in the documentation of the Cantonal Institute for the protection of cultural, historical and natural heritage in Sarajevo, according to the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage of Canton Sarajevo.
(Source: M. N./Klix.ba)
