Sarajevo is a city unlike any other, where East meets West in a blend of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Slavic influences that shape its streets, architecture, and culture. Walking through the city felt like stepping into different time periods all at once, from the cobbled alleyways of Baščaršija, the old bazaar filled with shops selling copperware and traditional sweets, to the grand European-style buildings left behind by the Austro-Hungarian era. The city has a deep and complex history, having endured Ottoman rule, Austro-Hungarian control, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand that sparked World War I, and the devastating siege of the 1990s. Reminders of its past were everywhere, from the scars of bullet holes on some buildings to the striking contrast between historic mosques, Orthodox churches, and Catholic cathedrals standing side by side. We walked along the Miljacka River and crossed the famous Latin Bridge, where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, and admired the stunning Vijecnica, Sarajevo’s old city hall, which was beautifully restored after being destroyed in the war. The combination of history and culture made Sarajevo a fascinating place to explore, and it’s a city that leaves a lasting impression.
