Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo

The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBBH) stands as a striking landmark of both financial importance and architectural heritage in the heart of the city. Housed in the elegant former State Mortgage Bank building-completed in 1931 and designed by the Serbian modernist architect Milan Zlokovic-its imposing façade is flanked by two monumental bronze figures, reliefs, and sculptural ornamentation that reflect the era’s design sensibilities. For tourists exploring Sarajevo, the bank’s exterior is a fine example of early 20th‑century Balkan and Austro‑Hungarian urban architecture.

Established by law on 20 June 1997, the Central Bank formally began operations on 11 August 1997 as a cornerstone of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s post‑war economic reconstruction. Operating under a currency‑board arrangement, it issues the national currency, the Bosnia & Herzegovina convertible mark (BAM), anchored to the euro at a fixed rate, with full foreign exchange backing that ensures monetary stability-a vital function in the country’s fragile recovery phase.

Though the Central Bank isn’t open to guided tours, its role in Sarajevo’s urban and economic landscape makes it an instructive stop when wandering downtown. Its location on busy Marshal Tito Street places it near other historical and cultural highlights, like Bascarsija, Sarajevo’s old bazaar quarter, or scenic promenades along the Miljacka River. Observing the building from the outside offers insight into Sarajevo’s layered history-from Austro-Hungarian rule, Yugoslavia’s mid‑century modernism, to its post-Dayton institutions.

While in the neighborhood, take a moment to admire the bank’s façade, imagine the mid‑century vision it represents, and pair it with visits to nearby cafés, museums, and tram‑lined thoroughfares to get a deeper feel for Sarajevo’s evolving story.