“For many visitors, Sarajevo means two things: the setting for the outbreak of WWI, and, from 1992–95, being subjected to the longest siege in the history of modern warfare. Cupped on three sides by mountains, Sarajevo is where the twin strains of Hapsburg and Ottoman architecture meet head on. Buses and trams rumble past mosques and bazaars, and minarets share the skyline with Orthodox domes and Catholic spires. This cultured and charismatic city may not be easy to reach, but it is easy to love,“ as reported by Rough Guides.
Here are six reason why, according to them, Sarajevo is the coolest city in the Balkans.
- Because the Old Bazaar is utterly enchanting
“Perched on the steep slopes of the Miljacka Valley, Baščaršija, Sarajevo’s old bazaar, is a noisy, hectic and smoky neighborhood that’s quite unlike anywhere else in the Balkans,” as stated by Rough Guides.
- Because it boasts two world class summer festivals
“Festival-wise, Sarajevo is fortunate to rate two absolute belters: throughout July, the streets of the old town rock big time during Baščaršija Nights, a month-long gathering of music – classical, rock and folk – comedy, theatre, opera and ballet – and most of it is free. Bigger, and more prestigious still, is August’s Sarajevo Film Festival, which has grown since its inception during the siege of 1995 to become the pre-eminent movie gathering in Eastern Europe,” according to Rough Guides.
- Because its architecture is the most fascinating in the Balkans
“Four centuries of eastern domination are manifest in numerous graceful monuments throughout Sarajevo. Most notably the Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque, possibly the most exquisite in the Balkans, above which looms the Sahat-kula, a handsome seventeenth-century clock tower with the hours of prayer are marked in Arabic numerals. Look out, too, for the lovely Sebilj fountain.”
“By way of contrast, the buildings along Ferhadija Street are firmly Austro-Hungarian in orientation – as are many of those lining Obala Kulina bana, an elegant riverside thoroughfare further south; the University of Sarajevo is a splendid example,” according to Rough Guides.
- Because this is where you’ll find the best cevapcici in the Balkans
“…and that’s quite a feat given the status this legendary staple has in the region. These calorific rissoles of spiced minced meat are typically served with kajmak (a thick, slightly sour cheese) or ajvar (roasted red pepper spread), and somun, a deliciously doughy flatbread,” as stated in the article.
“Take your pick from any number of outlets in Baščaršija serving these delicious morsels, but ask any local, and there’s a fair chance that they’ll point you in the direction of Ćevabdžinica Petica,” said from Rough Guides.
- …and coffee too.
“Whisper it quietly though; they don’t like to call it Turkish coffee round these parts. Bosanska kafa is the name of the game, yet to all intents and purposes, the process is the same. Presentation, however, is all-important: served on a thin metal tray, the bubbling coffee is poured from a cute copper vessel (džezva) into small tumblers (fildžan).”
- Because it has one of the most important exhibitions on the Bosnian War
“Inevitably, the city is replete with sights pertaining to the siege, and to be fair, most have been sensitively conceived. But the singularly most important exhibition is Galerija 11/7/95, which stands as a fitting memorial to the harrowing events that unfolded at Srebrenica on that eponymous day,” as stated in the article.
“The exhibition is presented in a powerfully understated way, courtesy of black and white images, interviews and audio-visual documents. It’s by no means an easy visit, but it is deserving of your time,” as stated by Rough Guides.
(Source: Radiosarajevo/Rough Guides)
