Baščaršija - What to see

Bascarsija was founded in 1462, when Isa-bey Ishakovic built an inn and number of shops. In that period, majority population lived around Emperor's mosque, which is located on the otherside of Miljacka river, so, Isa-bey Ishakovic built a bridge over the river in order to span main Sarajevan settlement with economic centre of the city. Sixteenth century was the best period in the history of Bascarsija. Great number of craftsmen had been associating in guilds, thus then Bascarsija had been partitioned in streets with similar craft shops. Therefore, the streets were named as Saraci (Saddlers), Kovaci (Blacksmiths), Kazandziluk (Coppersmiths), etc. According to some assessments, there were 12,000 shops in this period. Next century could have been disastrous for this old part of the city.Huge earthquake struck Sarajevo in 1640, and later in 1644 and 1656, it was affected by fires. Half a century later, in 1697, Eugene of Savoy fired and plundered entire city, when only several buildings remained untouched.

Sarajevo was real metropolis in 1660 and the second most important city in Ottoman Empire.Over 80,000 people lived in Sarajevo, and two centuries later, Zagreb and Belgrade had just around 15,000 inhabitants each.

Range of accidents and events were reasons for cessation of development of Sarajevo and Bascarsija. By Austria-Hungary arrival, foreign architects wanted to make European city from Sarajevo. They succeeded in this idea after fire that struck everything but the part of Bascarsija which still exists. Thus the border between the old and „modern“part of the city emerged at the end of Ferhadija Street.

Baščarija means: Main bazzar
Position: Old town
Old Town tour: 14,99 €/person
Minimum booking: Three person

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Baščaršija What to visit in Sarajevo

Sarajevo was real metropolis in 1660 and the second most important city in Ottoman Empire.Over 80,000 people lived in Sarajevo, and two centuries later, Zagreb and Belgrade had just around 15,000 inhabitants each.

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