Sarajevo Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Sarajevo

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 construction of the governor's castle and new buildings, including the Emperor's Mosque, an enclosed marketplace, and a public bathhouse.

By the 16th century, Sarajevo was known as a place where many cultures could unite. As Jews were expelled from Spain, they were welcomed in Sarajevo. Likewise, more than 100 mosques popped up in the city to serve the area's growing Muslim population.

The Great Turkish War in 1697 led to the destruction of the city. Uprisings continued until eventually the region was occupied by Austria-Hungary in 1878. While there was still conflict in the city, it also became an area of significant industrialization as engineers and architects tested new inventions while the city was being rebuilt. For example, Sarajevo was the testing area for tramways, and the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque was the first mosque to have electricity and indoor lighting.

Sarajevo is widely known as the location of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sofie. This event, which marked the beginning of World War I, took place at the northern end of the Latin Bridge.

After the war ended, Sarajevo joined Yugoslavia. The Bosnian War for Independence took place from 1992 to 1996, after which Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from the former Yugoslavia.

Visitors to the city will see reminders of this complex history throughout Sarajevo. The Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the Cathedral of Jesus' Heart, and the historical Sarajevo Brewery show how the changes that have taken place in Sarajevo have shaped the culture and architecture of the region.

Take this self-guided tour to explore the most notable attractions in Sarajevo.