Attraction of the city of Sarajevo from the 17th century – The house of Alija Djerzelez, was ceded to the city of Istanbul on use for a period of 5 years, without any compensation.
Prime Minister of Canton Sarajevo Elmedin Konakovic signed an agreement with the director of the Department of Real Estate of the city of Istanbul Yasar Parlak, according to which the Government of Canton Sarajevo officially ceded the house of Alija Djerzelez, with all its ancillary premises, to the administration of the City of Istanbul without compensation for 5 years. The signing was attended by the councilor and adviser of the Mayor of Istanbul, Ismail Hakki Turunc.
The house of Alija Djerzelez in Sagrdzije Street represents the type of rich esnaf house and it is probably the oldest house in Sarajevo. According to the legend, this is the house where Alija Djerzelez, the hero of Krajina battlefield and character from epic poetry, once lived.
“I am particularly pleased that all our agreements are implemented. The Government of Canton Sarajevo reached a conclusion in early February that gave on the use the pearl of Ottoman culture – house of Alija Djerzelez to your city, and we have completed all the procedures in accordance with the law until today,” said Konakovic on this occasion and stated that he is happy that this cultural facility with historical value will be useful to the city of Istanbul.
“BiH and Sarajevo have a special importance for us and, regardless of the number of projects that we are doing around the world, you are always on the first place for us,” said Turunc and announced the forthcoming visit of the Mayor of Istanbul to Sarajevo.
Until today, no accurate data was found on the founder and builder of the complex, but it is known that 200 years ago the owners of the house were the family Cejvan and the object was in their possession until recently. It was built as a one-floor house, with simple floor plans, with all the elements that characterize the residential architecture of the Ottoman time, including traditional materials – stone, unbaked brick, wood and wrought iron.
(Source: Radiosarajevo.ba)
