I created one post, but my brain is full of many more things that I want to let you readers know about. Being on a frugal budget, means minimal spending for me. I rarely pay to visit anything, especially touristy things that would be crowded and perhaps unauthentic. Here are 5 more free things to do in Sarajevo Bosnia, that might be of interest.
Roses of Sarajevo
This is my first time visiting a country that has experienced a war in my lifetime. I have seen many things here, relating to that war, that have left me heartbroken. One of these are the roses of Sarajevo. Walking around the city, observant visitors might see the impact scars from shell fire, all over buildings and the sidewalks. Some of these have been filled in with red resin.
These particular scars are the ‘roses’. They signify a place where between 3 and 20 people were killed at that location from the impact. The largest I found was in the market near Old Town, and this one still has the spent cartridge at the centre of the crater. So incredibly sad.
Bridges of Sarajevo
There are over 20 bridges in this city, that cross the Miljacka River. They form an historical and picturesque part of Sarajevo that is foundational to the city. The most famous is Latin Bridge, where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated along with his pregnant wife in 1914. An act which marks the beginning of WWI.
Have a walk down the river bank, on either side, to see at least eight of these bridges that are near enough to the old city core. Each bridge here is labelled with an informational placard that will not only provide the name but a brief history as well.
The Old Serbian Orthodox Church
St Michael of the Archangel Church rests right near Old Town and dates back to the 6th century. It has been rebuilt many times, this latest version being from 1730. The exterior looks quite plain, but the garden and little museum are so sweet. Inside the church the dome is painted a deep blue and covered with golden stars.
Upstairs visitors will see a tiny tomb. An old legend goes that a child was strangled by his stepmother and thrown in the river. When the priest was informed, he found the child and brought him to the church where he was buried in the back yard.
Needing to expand the church, after 200 years, the child was exhumed, and when the body was uncovered, it was completely preserved and deemed a miracle. Today that little child is in the tomb up on the second floor. Pregnant woman and mothers pay homage by walking around the tomb three times and crawling under it.
The White Fortress
Built around 1550, this fort guarded the eastern entrance to the old city. Its was mainly used to house a gun crew and store ammunition’s. There is a small fee to get inside, but after doing some research I didn’t think it was worth it.
Instead, I was able to hike down beside the fort on both sides. This not only gave me a chance to view those magnificent white exterior walls, but also to see stunning views of the city and then the valley behind.
Gazi Husrev Beg’s Mosque
Located in Old Town Sarajevo, this beautiful stone mosque was built in the 16th century. It is the largest historical mosque in the country and the first in the world to receive electricity! In 1898 it was officially hooked up and set aglow.
Gazi Husrev Beg was Sarajevo’s second governor. He held office for 20 years and the city grew exponentially under his leadership and vision.
That is another five things to provide you with some ideas on your next visit to Sarajevo. Honestly, I could think of another 5 too, for there are just that many things to explore here. Check out the Old Jewish Cemetery, City Hall, the Sternenweg musical sculpture, the Yellow Fortress, Gazi Husrev Beg’s madrassa, Austro-Hungarian architecture, the markets, the neighbourhood of Ciglane…..the list is endless! Happy travels my friends.
