IPPNW Balkan Meeting Sarajevo 24-26 April 2020 BoHeMSA SARAJEVO The heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the HISTORY capital Sarajevo, best known for its centu- ries-old tradition of hospitality. This vibrant Sarajevo is the administrative and cultural city can penetrate as deep into the traveler’s capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Situated soul as it does for residents. Sarajevo is a city at the far southern end of the Dinaric Alps, where even strangers can feel at home. it lies between the mountains of Romanija, Bjelašnica, Igman and Trebević, and through With a population of about 400,000 Sarajevo it flows the narrow, shallow Miljacka River, makes full use of its abundance of bustling which rises close to Pale, five miles due east cafés, local eateries and handicraft shops. of the city. The city’s breathtaking backdrop of seem- ingly endless hills and towering mountains First Settlements have in a sense always isolated the city, cre- ating a timeless world, which despite its se- Sarajevo is stretched across an area known clusion has always kept its doors open to the as Sarajevo Field, and there are numerous rest of the world. archeological findings attesting to settle- ments in this area dating back to the Neo- This city’s long-standing tradition of multi- lithic period, as well as records that point to ethnicity enables it to thrive in its diversity. a significant Illyrian presence in the area. A Indeed, few places on Earth fea- ture an primary Neolithic site was found at Butmir, Orthodox and a Catholic church, a mosque outside Sarajevo. Illyrian tribes flourished and a synagogue within easy walk- ing in the region from about 1,000 BC until their distance of each other, which termed Sa- final conquest by the Romans around 9AD. rajevo as European Jerusalem. The Ottomans If there is any city in Europe that effortless- ly straddles east and west, it is Sarajevo. A Sarajevo was founded in the 15th century walk through Sarajevo is a walk through its by the Ottoman governor of Bosnia - Isa-bey past. From the oriental Ottoman quarters Ishakovic. The actual name of the city comes lined with sweet shops, cafe’s and handi- from the Turkish words saray and ovasi, craft workshops, to the administrative and meaning “court” and “field” respectively. cultural center of Austro-Hungarian times, The initial expansion of the city occurred Sarajevo encompasses the very best of both during the first 150 years or so of Ottoman worlds. rule. Many of the city’s architectural gems were built during this period, such as Gazi Husrev Bey’s and The Emperor’s Mosques. Baščaršija - the city’s once-great bazaar - was also constructed during the same period. By the beginning of the 17th century, Sarajevo grew into a vibrant community of artisans and an important merchant trading post, as BoHeMSA LC Guide: Sarajevo 2 well as one of the most significant cities in Sarajevo developed a reputation as some- the European part of the Ottoman Empire. thing of a cultural center, a party town, and In 1697 Sarajevo was attacked and burnt by acquired the rather clichéd adjective that is Prince Eugene of Savoy, the final of series of so often used to describe it: cosmopolitan. unremitting attacks by the Hapsburgs and But it was a tougher, fiercely independent the Venetians. and gutsier series of characteristics that was to carry it through the years of the 1992- Austro-Hungarian 1995 war. The city’s second architectural expansion War started following the Austro-Hungarian oc- cupation in the late 19th century and lasted The Siege of Sarajevo was the longest siege until the beginning of World War I in 1914. of a capital city in the history of modern Austro-Hungarians established the city’s warfare. Sarajevo was besieged by the Army first public transportation system and the of Republika Srpska from 5 April 1992 to 29 first telephone lines. Many cultural and ed- February 1996 (1,425 days) during the Bos- ucational institutions were founded in this nian War. period as well. The National (Land) Museum, the First Sharia Law High School and the Na- A total of 11,541 people were killed during tional Theatre. Sarajevo City Hall, Ashkenazi the siege, including 1,601 children. Synagogue, and Catholic Cathedral were also Sarajevo today added to the expanding city. Austro-Hungar- ian occupation of Sarajevo was interrupt- Most of Sarajevo’s national and cultural ed on June 28, 1914 when Gavrilo Princip monuments have now been repaired or re- assassinated Austro-Hungarian Archduke constructed. It is once again the center of Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophia during political, cultural and spiritual life and its their visit to Sarajevo, setting off the chain tradition of hospitality has not diminished. of events that led to the start of World War I. Wars, conflicts and the longest city siege in the history of modern warfare left their Kingdom of Yugoslavia trace, but did not destroy the welcoming Following the Treaty of Versailles in 1918 spirit of Sarajevo. that ended World War I, Sarajevo, along with Today, in a new-old cover, the city welcomes Bosnia and Herzegovina, became a part of visitors from all over the world. It is the ul- the newly-formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, timate sight for eyes and the best haven to and a soul. Recently, the world’s leading travel Slovenes. It remained within the later-re- magazines and sites such as Lonely Planet, named Kingdom of Yugoslavia until the be- National Geographic Traveler and many oth- ginning of World War II, when the monar- ers recommend Sarajevo as one of the most chy was abolished and, following the end of exciting tourist destinations in the world. the war, the new socialist Yugoslavia was created. Yugoslavia and Socialism In 1943 Josip Broz Tito established the basis of the post-war Yugoslavia, of which Bosnia would be one of six republics. Sarajevo was not only rebuilt but considerably expanded as well. It almost tripled in size during its third expansion which took place during the formative years of socialist Yugoslavia. By 1984, when the city hosted the 14th Win- ter Olympic Games, Sarajevo was a modern capital city of around 500,000 people. It was during this period of Yugoslavia that BoHeMSA LC Guide: Sarajevo 3 BASIC INFORMATION How much does stuff cost? Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina Area: 141,5 km² Altitude: 500 m above sea level Price Level Climate: Mild continental climate Loaf of white bread 1,00 KM Population: cca. 438.000 citizens (291.000 citizens in four City of Sarajevo municipali- Snickers bar 1,30 KM ties; 2013) Liter of vodka 18 KM Population ethnic diversity: Bosniaks, Croats, Serbs, Jews and other ethnic groups Can of local beer (0,5 liter) 1,50 KM Time Zone – European Time Zone (GMT +1) Power Supply – The electric supply is 220V Big Mac 4,80 KM with 50Hz frequency Pack of Marlboros 4,80 KM Water – It is safe to drink tap water in Sarajevo Public transport ticket 1,80 KM Money • The Bosnian currency is the Convertible Postal services Mark (BAM or KM). • Postal services are provided by the state- • Foreign currencies should be exchanged owned company JP BH Posta d.o.o.., which to the official local currency Convertible has post outlets all over the city: (www.bhp. Mark. ba/en/) • You can change money at banks or any • Telephone service – Telephone cards for post office. The differences in exchange the public pay phones are available at all rates are negligible. newsstands and post offices. • You can find ATMs of the major banks • Mobile telephone service – The following present in the country all over the city. Cards three operators provide mobile telephone widely acceptable in Sarajevo are VISA, VISA service in Sarajevo: BH Mobile (061, 062), Electron, MasterCard, Maestro, Diners Club Eronet (063) and m:tel (065, 066). and American Express. You can buy almost • Internet – Internet connections and Wi- all goods and services with credit cards. Fi are available in most hotels and cafés You will need cash for green markets, some throughout the city. small shops and bars, kiosks, parking fees and taxis. Working hours Monday - Friday Saturday Sunday Banks 8:30 – 20:00 9:00 – 13:00 Closed Post Offices 9:00 – 16:00 9:00 – 15:00 Closed Main Post office 7:00 – 20:00 7:00 – 20:00 7:00 – 20:00 Grocery Stores and Shopping Mall 8:00 – 22:00 8:00 – 22: 00 8:00 – 21:00 Market Place 7:00 – 16:00 7:00 – 16:00 7:00 – 16:00 BoHeMSA LC Guide: Sarajevo 4 Important phone numbers Public transportation • Sarajevo is well connected with differ- ent means of public transportation. Tram Area code +387 33 and trolleybus tickets are available at kiosks Police 122 (single fare 1,60 KM) or in a tram/trolleybus (single fare 1,80 KM). Fire 123 • Please note that you must punch a ticket Emergency 124 as you get in a vehicle. 033 297 000 University Clinical Center Sarajevo • Bus and mini-bus tickets are available in 033 278 000 a vehicle at a price of 1.60 KM. General Hospital „Prim dr. Abdulah 033 285 100 Nakaš“ • For more information, visit www.gras. co.ba. Dental Clinic 033 214 249 033 272 300 24-hour Pharmacy Baščaršija 033 272 301 BIHAMK- Road Assistance 1282 Tourist information Telephone Information 1182 • The main tourist information center in International Airport Sarajevo 033 289 100 Sarajevo region is located in the center not 033 213 100 far from the Catholic cathedral (tel: 033 238 Bus Station Sarajevo 886; fax: 033 238 885; email: tour.off@bih.