#TravelTips | Things To Do In Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Part 1)

This is the only country I was looking forward to in this whole trip.

Earlier post
Bosnia and Herzegovina for me...
#TravelTips | Markale Guesthouse - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

It was a much needed trip with my bestie after 2 years of hiatus from any Europe trip (the longest trip I did recently was to India during Christmas & New Year time frame), we thought I needed a break from work and she needed a trip booster before she starts her new job. Well, this excuses fit us just fine. *smile*

We managed to spend 2 days in Bosnia of which I wish we had longer but with the train problem and mudslide (landslide) from Vienna enroute Ljubljana, multiplied by domino effect, we couldn't gain back the 1.5 days that we lost. Sigh. Oh well, it's part and parcel of traveling, nothing goes as planned.

#TravelTips 1 : If you don't fancy a rush trip (like me), 4 days 3 nights or 5 days 4 nights will be ideal. A 5 days trip can take you as far as Dubrovnik in Croatia, probably spend a night there and leave your huge luggage at Sarajevo or Mostar. [My plan for my next Bosnia trip]

I did most of my Sarajevo sightseeing on foot, one of the easiest Old Town that I have ever experienced. The trick is to stay in the Old Town itself, then you can walk almost anytime, everywhere and anywhere, except to the City Centre of course. *wink*

#TravelTips 2 : You can get a walking map of the Old Town from the Guesthouse, Hostel or Hotel that you are staying. It is FREE and comes with a few version, pick one that you are comfortable with. For me, I like those with graphic, it helps me visualize.

#TravelTips 3 : Most of the important attractions would have description or history background (above sample). Take sometime to read, embrace the history and obviously snap many photos here.

From Wikipedia :
The city is famous for its traditional cultural and religious diversity, with adherents of Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism and Catholicism coexisting there for centuries. Due to this long and rich history of religious and cultural variety, Sarajevo was sometimes called the "Jerusalem of Europe" or "Jerusalem of the Balkans". It was, until recently in the 20th century, the only major European city to have a mosque, Catholic church, Orthodox church and synagogue within the same neighborhood

The Sacred Heart Cathedral.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral or Sarajevo Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Bosnia. It is also the center of Catholic worship here in Sarajevo which is located in the city's Old Town district.

Ferhadija Mosque.

This was the first mosque I saw, thrilled as it have the architecture influence of Turkey's mosques (rasa macam Istanbul Aku Datang pulak, hehehhehehee). Ferhadija Mosque or Ferhat-Pasha Mosque has one dome above the prayer area (namaz) and three small domes at the cloister, it was built in the 16th century, bearing the best of Islamic architecture during Ottoman Empire. But one thing surprises me as I walked into its courtyard….

#TravelTips 4 : They are so many mosque around Sarajevo Old Town that I suggest you snap the name of the mosques before entering, after a few mosque, you bound to get confuse.

Cemetery at mosque courtyard. 

What I saw was this.... in the mosque's courtyard. It is very normal here in Sarajevo, if you look closely, you'll see cafes on the left side of the cemetery. Try having this concept in Malaysia, imagine 'kedai mamak' next to a 'kubur', not sure who will be 'serving' you teh tariks. Confirm bangkrap punya. Hahhahahhah.....

Gazi-Husrev Beg Bezistan.

Gazi-Husrev Beg's Bezistan, built in 1551 is a covered market selling haberdashery and craftsmanship, the architecture here resembles the design of the mosques.

 Bezistan interior.

#TravelTips 5 : There is a shop selling cheap magnets towards the end on the right hand side. 3 pieces for 5KM. Other places is selling 1 piece for 2-3KM or 2 for 5KM.

Gazi Husrev-Beg Madrasah.

The Gazi Husrev-Beg Madrasah  is the oldest educational institution here and it just celebrated its 476th birthday last year. To my amazement, it is still in operation since 1537 till to date. This madrasah specializes in the teachings of Islam – whilst retaining much of the traditional curriculum taught across other Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is located across Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque.

Tower Clock (Sahat-kula).

Ottoman Empire has constructed a tower clock to remind the Muslim of 5 daily prayers time.  Tower Clock or sahat-kula is one of the highest structure in the Old Town, built in 17 century,  the clock was brought by Sarajevan traders from London during that period.

Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque.

The Gazi Husrev-bey is located in the Baščaršija neighborhood or Old Town and is the most popular mosque in the city being situated in the heart of the old town itself. I understood that during the Siege of Sarajevo, this mosque was the target of Serb’s army and was destroyed together with museums, libraries and other public main attractions.  Luckily with foreign help, restoration begin in 1996 and completed by year 2000, now it proudly standing strong in front of me.

Gazi Husrev-bey main door.

#TravelTips 6 : You can perform your solat at the patio of the mosque (carpet is provided), ablution room is located on the right side of the mosque.

Emperor's Mosque.

The Emperor's Mosque is the first mosque in Sarajevo, built in 1457 during the period when Ottoman Empire conquered of Bosnia. I was surprised to find out that originally the mosque was made of wood and that the cemetery  in the courtyard contains the graves of viziers, mullahs, muftis, sheikhs, the employees in the Emperor's Mosque, along with other prominent figures living in Sarajevo.

#TravelTips 7 : The Emporer's Mosque is located after the river bank, you will need to cross the famous Latin Bridge to get to this side.

Latin Bridge.

The famous assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by Gavrilo Princip in 1914 is what made Latin Bridge is a historic site on the River Miljacka in Sarajevo. Franz Ferdinand is heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne and it is said that this was the trigger point World War I.

 #TravelTips 8 : The Museum of the Assassination of Franz Ferdinand is located at the starting poinit of the  bridge on the Old Town side. It's located at the corner of the building (far right, partially hidden in my photo).

By the time sampai sini, memang penat giler dah, so I lepak sebelah mosque tuh makan eskrem. Tuh je nak cakap. Oh ya, air sungai clear and bersih, tetiba teringat Japan (weird dak?!?!).

Will be sharing on what lies on the other side of the river in my next entry. Till then....