Sarajevo City Museum, Sarajevo

Sarajevo City Museum isn’t a single building-it’s a collection of evocative historic sites spread through the Old Town, each illuminating a different chapter of the city’s story. Founded in 1949, the museum operates five annexes, all housed in preserved landmarks, and is located within easy walking distance of Bascarsija.

Start at the Museum Sarajevo 1878–1918, beside the Latin Bridge, where exhibits trace Austro-Hungarian rule and the event that echoed around the world: the June 28, 1914, assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Standing here connects the streets of Sarajevo to the opening pages of the First World War, with thoughtful displays that set the scene and its consequences.

Then step into domestic life from earlier centuries at Svrzo’s House, a beautifully preserved Ottoman-era residence with separate family quarters wrapped around quiet courtyards. Nearby, Despić House reveals the world of a prominent Orthodox merchant family-credited with hosting some of the city’s first theater performances-while Brusa Bezistan evokes Sarajevo’s bustling market past. Together, they turn the neighborhood into a living open-air gallery.

Round out your visit at the Jewish Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, set inside the Old Synagogue (1581). Its moving displays span more than four centuries of Jewish life in the city, underscoring Sarajevo’s layered, multi-faith heritage. With the annexes clustered in the historic center, you can comfortably combine two or three sites in a half-day stroll-perfect for weaving culture into your sightseeing. Check the museum’s official pages for current hours and any temporary exhibitions.