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GEOGRAPHY Sarajevo Canton is comprised of 9 municipalities, Stari Grad, Centar, Novo Sarajevo, Novi Grad, Ilidža, Vogošća, Hadžići, Ilijaš and Trnovo.Its territory is 1,277 km2, and according to the data collected in the year of 2000, it has a population of 390,534. Sarajevo is located in the ravine between Pannonian Valley on the north and the Mediterranean on the south, connected with two important motorways (Zagreb-Beograd Highway and Adriatic Motorway) what gives it a favorable macro-geo-transportational position.
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CULTURAL HERITAGE Sarajevo is the Capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina that is on the crossroads between the Western and the Eastern cultures. The town appeared on the place of ancient settlements, dating from the Neolithic and Roman period, and became an important trade center on the Balkans as early the 15th century. During its modern life, it opens the new horizons and finds new sources of light, what is interrupted neither by mountain chains that surround it, nor by other obstacles brought on to it by time and events.Old Sarajevo Trade Center - Baščaršija The word "Baš-čaršija" literally meant "the main market" and marked the space of the market around Sebilj fountain, while, later on, its name was used to mark the whole space of today's Baščaršija. It was formed mid 15th century, as a trade center of the new oriental type settlement, in which the urban skeleton is formed of the facilities built with the funds from Isa-Bey's Endowment. Baščaršija was built as a reflection of Arabic «suk», a row of wide squares connected by a network of small streets. Baščaršija is not only the old center of Sarajevo, but also unusually attractive living complex with preserved features of the past - narrow streets with old trades, drinking fountains, mosques and shops. Through the liveliness of the passers-by and tourists, flight of pigeons and colors of oriental bazaars, Sarajevo pulsates with both the past and the modern life. The new and the modern once again becomes the characteristic feature of Sarajevo, that gives it a special ambiance, created by a combination of decorative architecture and legacy of ancient epochs and brave conceptions of modern builders. The domes of many buildings from the Ottoman period, about 100 mosques and minarets, as well as the domes of Orthodox and Jewish temples, and belfries of Catholic cathedrals from Austro-Hungarian period, make sense in a special harmony that they create. Some of the most important landmarks in the architecture of those periods are: Ali-Pasha's Masque - Built in 1561, next to the tomb of Bosnian Sandžak-Bey, i.e. the ruler of Bosnian district, Ali-Pasha, who was born in Sarajevsko Polje. He died in Sarajevo in 1557, and before he died, on his deathbed, he had had his testament written, ordering a mosque to be built next to his tomb, as his endowment, what was later done. Czar's Mosque - Another beauty in the range of impressive monuments and today's spiritual centers is Czar's Mosque. Its construction was ordered by Sultan Suleiman The Magnificent , in 1560. The Old Orthodox Church on Varoš - This church was first mentioned in 1539, but according to on its architecture, it may have been built as early as mid 15th century. It is certainly among the oldest sacral buildings in this area. Its greatest value is in the collection of icons and old books, that are kept in its treasury. The Old Jewish Temple - It was built by the order of Rumelian Begler-Bey Sijavuš-Pasha, in 1581, together with Velika Avlija, "the big garden", a quarter purposely built as residential zone for the Jews of Sarajevo. The Synagogue took its today's form after reconstruction in 1821. Botanical Garden - It is placed in the center of the town, within the National Museum facilities. It is the only facility of this type in Sarajevo. It was founded in 1913, by a well-known botanist Karlo Maly. The garden contains very valuable collections of endemic species, tertiary remains and floristic rarities. This is the place where you can find numerous exotic tree species, such as Japanese Cherry (Prunus serrulata), Sequoia, Ginkgho Biloba, and others, all on one place. Especially attractive is the fountain in the central part of the garden, surrounded by vegetation that contributes the impression of a romantic floral garden that it gives its visitors. Brusa-Bezistan - it was built in 1551, by Rustem-Pasha Vizier, who, besides his political function, was also active in production of silk in Brusa. This very silk that was sold in it was used to name it Brusa-Bezistan. The roof of the Bezistan is formed of six large and two small domes, and within it there were two small rooms, used to treasure the archive of the Sarajevo traders. This Bezistan has kept its original purpose - it is a shopping mall. The House of Despić Family - This residential building has been the symbol of the beginning of the organization of life of urban Serb families form Sarajevo, which has not existed before. This house is a museum today, and it is a testimonial of a different, confident familiar life. Alifakovcu Cemetery -Bosnian, Bogomilian, Orthodox, Catholic and Muslium necropolises and graveyards are scattered on every step of the country. Bosnian graveyards are beautiful, mysterious and sublime. This one, on the Alifakovac hill, above Alifakovac, a Sarajevo settlement, is one of the most beautiful pieces of memorial architecture and stonemasonry. Panjina kula on Sedrenik is an old summer villa, belonging to Panja family, built in early 18th century. Through family relations, this building was inherited by Kumašin family in thq 19th century, so it is also called Kumašinova Kula. Architectural design is similar to stone towers of Bosnian feudalists. Architecturally the most interesting part of this building is the third (last) story, that is leaning on the consoles, and goes beyond the second story on all four sides. It is located on the northern slope of Sarajevo ravine, on the locality that is now called Panjina Kula. It has been under protection of state authorities since 1951. Bijela Tabija presents the prominent of the fortress around the old part of the town, that dominates over the natural city gates. The oldest parts of it still preserve the valuable pieces of stonemasonry, while the upper part of it was built of large stone blocks in Austro-Hungarian period. Tombstone Necropolis in Šabići Village - Šabići village, in Trnovo municipality, on the eastern slopes of Bjelašnica Mountain, hides a necropolis of 58 medieval «stećak» tombstones. The decorations on the tombstones are usually engraved ribbons, profiled convexities below the gable of the stones, convex crescents and canes. The necropolis has been gradually decomposed during and after the war, so some of the tombstones have been removed from their place, broken or damaged. Morića Han - Inns, so called caravan-sarays, were built for the needs of great centers and traders that came from distant lands. One of those is Gazi Husrev-Bey's Morića Han, built in the early 16th century, according to all the rules of that time: large square court in the middle and storages and stables in the ground-floor. It was burned in 1957and reconstructed in the 1970-ies. The "Roman" Bridge - In symbolic terms, Kozija ćuprija, "the goat's bridge", is the eastern, and the "Roman" Bridge, the western gate of Sarajevo. This bridge on Bosna River is heritage of the Otoman empire. It was built between 1530 and 1550, and until today it has preserved its original form. The construction of the bridge has been reinforced by ornamented stones from the Roman period, thus it was named the "Roman" Bridge. Višegradska Kapi-Kula - Višegrad's Tower-gate is the compound part of the fortress, comprised of walls, tabija-towers, tower-gates and gates, built on the initiative of Ahmed-Pasha, Bosnian governor, between 1729 and 1739. The Bosniac Institute - Adil Zulfikarpašić Foundation is a cultural, scientific and educational institution that is active in promotion, development and studying of history, culture, cultural heritage, literature, religion and arts. The Library of the Bosniac Institute has over 80,000 units, a comprehensive collection of art works, collection of several very valuable oriental manuscripts, multi-medial publications, photographs, etc. The Museum of the Town of Sarajevo, Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jewish Museum, Museum of Literature, Modern Arts Museum and National Museum represent a vast cultural heritage of this Canton.
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NATURAL RESOURCES Alley in Ilidža, the attractive walking lane from the spa to the Spring of Bosna River, made of plane and chestnut trees, and 3.5 km long, represent the most beautiful line of trees in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This green "tunnel" has always represented a tourist landmark and a park of nature.Cave in Bijambare is located between Nišići and Krivajevići villages, in Ilijaš municipality, off the Sarajevo-Olovo road. It is about 2 km down the mountain road through beautiful coniferous forest. Next to the mountain hut "Bijambare" (on the altitude os 950 m) there is a significant natural rarity, Bijambare Cave, part of which is open for visitors. Bijambare Cave is comprised of two potholing halls, Upper Cave and Central Cave, comprised of four halls abounding in stalactites and stalagmites. The fourth hall, that is the largest one, is full of stalagtites, and the floor is covered by stalagmites of various sizes and shapes. By its decorations, size and shape, this hall is one of the most beautiful in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is also the mountain spring Bradić, with a lake and watermill, and spring Bjelila, that runs through the forests of Bijambare. This whole area, together with the caves, is one of few locations that all nature lovers, including those who appreciate caves, silence of forests and crystal clean waters, love. Skakavac Waterfall is located 12 km north of Sarajevo, near to Nahorevo village. They are ones of the tallest and the most beautiful waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and are a real delight for all tourists. The waterfalls are 98 m high, and are positioned in a landscape of exceptional beauty. The surroundings are among the most heterogeneous ones in the region dominated by spruce, fir and beech forest, with spruce on prominent slopes. Shallow carbonated soil, next to the waterfall, is the perfect ground for thermofilous forests and black hornbeam, reed and black ash bushes. Especially interesting is the vegetation on the rocks surrounding the waterfall, full of endemic and relic species. Skakavac Waterfall, that is unique by many features, represents one of the most interesting tourist landmarks in the outskirts of Sarajevo.
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