Sarajevo City Hall, Sarajevo

Sarajevo City Hall, Sarajevo (must see)

Sarajevo City Hall, known as Vijecnica, is a symbol of Sarajevo and one of the most beautiful monuments from the Austro-Hungarian period. It is the seat and headquarters of the Mayor of Sarajevo and the Sarajevo City Council. The building has been used for various municipal purposes since its construction, including as a City Court and Parliament House until 1949, when it became the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina, through the late 20th century.

Construction of the City Hall began in 1891 and was completed in 1896. It was first designed by Czech architect Karel Parik. After he was removed from the job by Baron Beni Kallay, the Austrian-Hungarian architect Alexander Wittek took over. Wittek died before the construction could be completed, so Ciril Ivekovic, a Croatian architect, finished the project. The building was inspired by Spanish and Northern Africa Islamic art.

The City Hall was destroyed in 1992 during the Siege of Sarajevo. About 700 manuscripts, including unique publications, were lost. Reconstruction of the building began in 1996 and was completed in 2014. Since its reopening, the space has been used as an exhibition hall, a concert venue, and the National Library. It is now considered a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sarajevo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Sarajevo City Hall on Map

Sight Name: Sarajevo City Hall
Sight Location: Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina (See walking tours in Sarajevo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Create Your Own Walk in Sarajevo

Create Your Own Walk in Sarajevo

Creating your own self-guided walk in Sarajevo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Sarajevo Introduction Walking Tour

Sarajevo Introduction Walking Tour

Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is also the country's largest city. This historical and picturesque city is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and rests along both banks of the Miljacka River.

The city was established by the Ottoman Empire around 1461. It was named "Sarajevo," which means "the plains around the palace." The name is derived from the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Siege of Sarajevo Walking Tour

Siege of Sarajevo Walking Tour

The Siege of Sarajevo was an extended battle in the city during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1996. It is known to be the most prolonged siege of a capital city, having lasted several months longer than the early 20th century Siege of Madrid.

The Bosnian War began when Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia. The city was blockaded by the Serbs and bombarded by bombs, tanks,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Ottoman Empire Landmarks Walk

Ottoman Empire Landmarks Walk

The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, was founded in 1461 after the Ottoman Empire conquered the region. Hence, the city's history is closely intertwined with the Ottoman legacy reflected in its landmarks.

One such is the Old Bazaar, a bustling market square dating back to the 15th century. Here, one can immerse oneself in the vibrant atmosphere of traditional crafts, authentic...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles