So off walking I went to learn more about this city and these resourceful people. Sarejevo has quite a colourful history. First inhabited by the Ottomans way back between 1500 and 1873. There are one or two relics from this time including the Caravan Sabri. This type of accommodation was used by the tradersfor a 3 night stay for free with the intent of additional trading, socialisation and news. No Facebook or blogs back then. Interestingly I believe that's the origin of the saying family and fish go off after 3 days. In Muslim culture a visitor is given hospitality for 3 days.
The first "flushing" public toilet was built in this city in 1530 and remains free and flushing today. Im sure the "flush" changed over times! The WC was built before the beginning of construction of the mosque across the court yard so the workers could ablaut before prayer.
Next rulers were the Austro Hungarians. Grand Duke Franz Joseph was murdered here, beginning World War 1. I travelled the same route as the ill fated Grand Duke and turned the corner off the Latin Bridge where the infamous incident occurred.
The next conflict of course was the Sarejavo Seige. There is evidence of this battle around the city, although the city has quickly rebuilt itself with a great deal of help and donations from countries around the world. The most recent addition has been 4 more trams from Amsterdam.
Sarejavo is a narrow long city, so at any point as you walk around you can see the hillsides from which the Serb Army and the snippers kept up a constant shelling and shooting campaign, with one day in 1994 when 4000 mortars fell in the city. The straight streets provided easy opportunities for the snippers.
Around the roads you see Sarejavo Roses. The red resin filling in the holes from the mortars where people were killed, definitely a poignant memorial.
Despite all the difficulties, the death and destruction, the hunger, and the lack of utilities those in the city kept up life as normal as best as possible. The Serbs may have broken everything else in the city with their armaments but they didn't break the spirit of the people to resist.
2 comments:
It is marvelous that rebuilding has taken place, just a shame that the destruction occurred in the first place and especially the reason for it.
So much savage history but still much beautiful architecture being preserved. Love the Latin Bridge and the orange coloured building with crosses on top of its towers. I expect it is a Christian place of worship?
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