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1, Tuneli, Sarajevo 71000
About
The Tunnel of Hope is the name given to the Sarajevo War Tunnel, which was constructed during the siege of Sarajevo in 1993. The tunnel was built underneath the airport runway and connected two territories under the control of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Dobrinja and Butmir), hence it was also called the “D-B Tunnel.” The tunnel had a length of 785.5 meters, a width of about 1 meter, and a height of around 1.5 meters, although in some parts, the height reached 1.8 meters. In official discussions between the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the UN, the tunnel was referred to as the “Nonexistent Tunnel.” The tunnel was Sarajevo's most closely guarded secret as it served as a lifeline for the city, allowing the transportation of food, weapons, cigarettes, and other supplies.
In 1994, small railway tracks were installed inside the tunnel to facilitate the movement of small carts.
During 1994, the Army of Republika Srpska learned about the tunnel, and Ratko Mladić contacted the UN-held airport, demanding that the tunnel be destroyed and closed. Subsequently, the Republika Srpska Army attempted to dig another tunnel and divert the course of the River Željeznica to flood the tunnel and render it inoperable. However, their plan was unsuccessful.
Construction of the tunnel began officially on January 29, 1993, although the idea had emerged earlier, and some preparatory work had been done. The construction took place under difficult circumstances due to strict secrecy and a lack of resources. Wood was used as the supporting structure on the Butmir side of the tunnel, while steel was used on the other side due to the shortage of wood. The excavation work faced challenges due to surface and underground water, which required the installation of pumps to redirect the water onto “no man's land.” Disposing of the excavated material was also problematic since the project was conducted in secrecy. Approximately 300 people were involved in the construction on both sides of the tunnel.
After the war and the lifting of the siege, the family house that served as the entrance to the tunnel was converted into a museum. The museum exhibits various items such as war photographs, parts of military equipment and weapons, flags, military uniforms, and more. In 2004, local planning authorities sought funds for the “complete reconstruction of the tunnel” and the “construction of museum facilities at the entrance and exit points of the tunnel.”
Visitors to the museum can still walk a section of the tunnel, approximately 20 meters long.
According to Vladimir Zubić, the deputy of the Sarajevo City Council, the purpose of the museum is to serve as a reminder “that there should never be a need for a facility like this tunnel, which provided the minimum means of survival for the inhabitants of the besieged city. The tunnel will be a place where young people can learn about a part of their recent history, and it will be proof that this part of our history will never be forgotten.”
The house and the land surrounding the entrance to the Tunnel of Hope are owned by Bajro Kolar, who also manages the museum. In a documentary about the war tunnel in Sarajevo, Kolar explains the reason for transforming his private house into a museum, stating, “We gave everything we had for the defense and liberation of Sarajevo.” Despite existing for 15 years without any government financial support, the museum remains one of the most visited locations in the Bosnian capital. Many tourist tours in Sarajevo include a visit to this museum as one of the most significant war sites in
Working hours
Working hours: April 1st - October 31st 09:00 - 17:00 (last entry at 16:30) November 1st - March 31st 09:00 - 16:00 (last entry at 15:30)
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