The weather was cold, indicating that winter is approaching, when we arrived in Sarajevo last night. We checked in to Hotel Holiday, situated at the heart of the city center, for a 2-night stay. We relaxed a little after switching accommodations every day.
We walked in the town at noon to the nearby shopping malls, in addition to joining the scheduled Sarajevo city tour in the morning and visiting Vrelo Bosne in the evening. Luckily the weather was lovely when the walking tour started around 9 am.
The Miljacka River houses most of the city tour's attractions. We walked starting from Baščaršija Street until the end of Ferhadiye Street. The tour began at the Sarajevo City Hall and continued along the old bazaar until we stopped at Baščaršija Mosque. Along the small alley, there were many stalls selling Turkish eateries and souvenirs. Sebilj, an 18th-century wooden fountain still in use, will help you identify the area.
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| The Hotel Holiday is part of the Europe Group of Hotels. |
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| Based on the architecture, I surmise that the hotel dates back to the 80s or 90s. |
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| Here is a list of attractions and eateries in Sarajevo. |
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| The Miljacka River |
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| Sarajevo City Hall |
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| Blood marks were used to symbolize the misery of war. |
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| Baščaršija Mosque |
Heading out the old street, we crossed the Emperor's Bridge, built at the behest of the founder of Sarajevo—Isa Bey Ishaković—to connect Careva mahala on the left side of the Miljacka River with Kolobara Han on the right. The Emperor's mosque is located just in front of the bridge.
Further to the west, we continued to cross another landmark bridge called the Latin Bridge. Someone told me that this was the site of an assassination in 1914. Passing through the Sarajevo Museum, we stopped at Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. The mosque was our meetup place as Mr. Akin gave us spare time before ending the city tour.
Before that, he continued to show yet another mix of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslavian influences: Gazi Husrev-beg's Bezistan. It was a small shopping complex where we bought some souvenirs. We continued to walk to the end of Ferhadiye, where Vječna vatra was located. It was a memorial for military and civilian victims of World War II.
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| Later, we popped in to the Sacred Heart Cathedral |
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| The Vječna vatra ... |
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| ... also known as the Eternal Flame |
After the Eternal Flame, we were given about two hours on our own. We took the chance to visit Saray Market and Sacred Heart Cathedral. Several museums caught my interest when exploring Sarajevo city. We visited the Museum of Crime Against Humanity and Genocide, exhibiting the very darkest aspects of the Balkan wars in Bosnia in 1992-1995.
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| Pasar yang cantik dan bersih |
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| Dalam pasar |
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| The cathedral |
Stopped for Balkan tidbits and souvenirs along the old town street. The
Gazi Husrev-beg's Bezistan, an Ottoman-style central market, housed stalls selling fabric souvenirs and whatnot.
Brusa Bezistan was yet another museum we visited and paid 10 KM as the entrance fee. It was located near
Sebilj.
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| Strolled along the Turkish Bazaar |
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| He was looking souvenirs for his besties |
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| The Sarajevo City model |
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| Sebilj water fountain |
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| We bought several Turkish delights. |
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| Kofta with bread for the lunch |
After the Sarajevo city tour, we went to Vrelo Bosne, which is around 13 km from the hotel. It was a public park featuring the system of numerous springs of the River Bosna at the foothills of Mount Igman. We loved its serenity and calm atmosphere.
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| The water so clear |
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| Feeding the geese |
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