Most places I visit in Europe are ancient. Either being conquered by the Roman Empire, previously founded during the Hellenistic period, or perhaps even earlier. By contrast, Sarajevo is a very young city. Gazi Husrev Beg & the inception of Sarajevo in brief.
Brief History
Sarajevo was founded by the Ottoman Empire in the 1450’s and officially became a city in 1461. It was these early Ottomans that built the first mosque and laid the foundation of Old Town today.
Sarajevo’s second governor was Gazi Husrev Beg, he guided the city’s exponential grown for a period of 20 years. Much of what we see today in Bascarsija or the oldest quarters of the city, was constructed under his guidance and leadership.
Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque
Arguably the most important and valuable building is the mosque, taking centre stage right in the middle of Old Town. Built in 1531, this mosque is a beautiful representation of classical Ottoman architecture. The large white stone construction against the bright blue sky is breathtaking.
From the exterior one can admire the massive dome and minaret soaring into the sky. There is a single main entrance, a large courtyard with an elaborate wooden fountain and a small graveyard.
During the Siege of Sarajevo in the early 1990’s, the mosque was greatly damaged and was quickly repaired by funding from Saudi. The exterior remains quite the same, however the interior was stripped and repainted in 2002.
Fun Fact! The Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque was the very first mosque in the entire world to have electricity! It was connected in 1898. 💡
Gazi Husrev Beg Madrasa
In 1537 the madrasa was constructed. This was and still is to this day a school, teaching the older children of high school and college ages. From the exterior it is a very interesting building and caught my attention immediately.
Right beside it is a library also constructed in 1537 and containing some of the most important Islamic manuscripts donated by Gazi Husrev Beg himself.
Gazi Husrev Beg Taslihan
Today this structure is in ruins as it was destroyed by a massive fire in 1879 and never rebuilt. Originally though, it was a caravanserai, or inn for travelling merchants built between 1540 and 43.
This large stone structure had two stories, with the bedrooms on the second floor and merchant shops on the ground floor. In the middle was a fountain and a small mosque. Today the ruins are visible from a walkway beside a hotel, and are an active archaeological site.
Visiting the Old Town is an utterly charming experience. As you wander the through the maze of stone streets, you will see all of these beautiful buildings and more. Single story wooden shops are still trading their wares to visitors. Gazi Husrev Beg shaped Sarajevo into the city it is today, a gem.
