Morica han was built back in the year of 1551 and it burned many times, just like the other buildings in Sarajevo, but it was renovated. Last time, it was renovated in 1974 and the upper floors were always intended for shops and mini-bazaars like those in Gazi Husrev-bey’s Bezistan. However, as Senaid Zajimovic, director of the Waqf Directorate of the IC BiH said, they never fully came to life.
“In the lower part of Morica han is placed a business part, however, the upper floor is especially interesting to us, because according to the current tourist offer, Bascarsija is still missing the hotel space although several hotels have been built in the recent period. That is still insufficient, and we are missing hotel accommodation and high-quality space,” he stated.
The Waqf Directorate of the IC BiH provided funds for the revitalization of Morica han in the total amount of 6.5 million BAM.
The General Directorate of the Waqf of the Republic of Turkey stated that they are currently realizing 15 projects, besides the revitalization of Morica han in BiH, which will benefit both Turkey and our country.
Zajimovic stated that the current state of Morica han is not representative, and that current catering facilities are not visited enough. They want to make it more attractive with a lot of greenery and open space.
After the signing of protocol, the period of at least six months will be needed for the preparation of the main project, as well as for obtaining all the necessary permits. All required works should start by the end of this year.
(Source: A. B./Klix.ba)
