Ok, you are first time in Sarajevo, or maybe about to visit this marvelous city for the first time, and want to know Sarajevo for beginners.

VISIT SARAJEVO will give some initial suggestion what to do, what to see, where to go, in various segments, such as: History, Attractions, Going Out, Eating Out, Nature, Sport, etc.

First, we shall start with some Historical data.

First you should know, Sarajevo is capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. City that has been founded in 15th century, by Ottomans, specifically by Isa Bey Ishaković, but some data show that this city dates even from 11th century.

Later at the time, Sarajevo was the first city in Europe to have coffee (some data implies that first European coffee was made in Sarajevo, at Shabans Inn, long before 1645 when it was brought to Venice and five years later to London, in 1650), first Public Bathroom, first University, and many, many other improvements that have arrived with Ottomans.

Ottomans have ruled Bosnia and Herzegovina for 400 years, and have left the most significant impact on Sarajevo than, which still lives today.

After the Ottomans have left Austro-Hungarian rule arrived to these areas.

It lasted from 1878 until 1918, where in the meanwhile, more precisely in 1914 one of the most unpleasant events of Sarajevo history occurred, the Assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, what was a trigger for a World War I.

Not everything was so bad for Sarajevo during the Austro-Hungarian rule. Fast growth and development started to happen in Sarajevo.

Some most important building in Sarajevo, have been built then, Cathedrals, Churches, Vijećnica (City Hall), National Theatre, roads…

One of the most important facts, is that Sarajevo had one of the first electric trams in Europe, definitely at Balkans, before it was installed at Vienna streets.

 After the assassination, and World War I, Bosnia and Herzegovina became part of Yugoslavia. During those time the most important fact is XIV Winter Olympic Games, which were held in Sarajevo, and were the best organized Games until then.

After people of Bosnia and Herzegovina voted its independence in 1992 The Siege started, as the longest Siege in modern history, siege of Sarajevo. It lasted almost 4 years, where nearly 12.000 Sarajevo people lost their life.

After the war ended in 1996, new era of Modern Sarajevo begun. The city today is the biggest and fastest developing city in the region.

Places worth seeing while in Sarajevo.

As you would know Sarajevo in know as European Jerusalem, for its temples of four world religions, Islam, Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Judaism.

So here we list down what VISIT SARAJEVO highly recommend visiting:

Religious temples

• Gazi Husref beys Mosque,

• Cathedral of Sacred Jesus Heart,

• Old Orthodox church of St. Archangel Mikhail and Gabriel,

• “Il kal Vježu” (the Old Temple). Historical attractions:

• Baščaršija Square, and Sebilj fountain,

• Vijećnica Library (City Hall)

• Tunnel of Hope,

• Yellow Bastion,

• White Bastion,

• Sarajevo roses,

• Goats Bridge,

• Latin Bridge, and Museum next to it.

Then food, we have brilliant Food.

Try these:

• Ćevapi - Ćevapčići, as a major specialty,

• Pita (all kinds),

• Klepe,

• Begova Čorba (Bey’s Stew),

• Sogan Dolma,

• Bosanski Lonac,

• Filovana Paprika,

• Sarma.

Then drinks, brilliant Drinks are being produced in Sarajevo as well.

• Water (regular water)

• Sarajevsko Beer,

• Variety of domestic Rakijas (Kruška, Šljiva, etc),

• Bosanska Kafa,

• Boza.

And in order to sweet up your meal try these:

• Baklava,

• Tufahija,

• Hrumašice,

• Halva.

Regarding Arts & Culture, check the Calendar and see what is going on in Theaters, Cinema, Galleries, etc.

For more, everything is at your disposal somewhere between VISIT SARAJEVO pages, so feel free to check it out.