Museums and galleries in Sarajevo

Museums and galleries in Sarajevo

1. See

   Brusa Bezistan

   Small museum in a 1551 Ottoman silk shop, tracing Sarajevo's development from prehistory through Roman, Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and modern times. Its centrepiece is a model of the Old Town on the ground floor, made by Husein Karišik on the first floor there is a famous blue garment with golden threads and fine yataghan (short Turkish sword).

   Mon-Sat 10:00–16:00·3 KM

2. See

   Despić House

   Despića kuća

   A dependency of the Sarajevo City Museum, constructed in several stages during different periods, the oldest parts dating back to the 17th century. The property belonged to the wealthy Serb Orthodox Christian Despić family, which donated the house to the city, which turned it into the Museum of Literature and the Performing Arts. It gained fame as the venue for the city's first theater performances, so it may be regarded as the precursor of modern theater. Together with Svrzo's House, the Despić House presents visitors with the lifestyle of wealthy merchant families that contributed to Sarajevo's growth and prosperity.

   Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-15:00

3. See

   Gallery 11/07/95

   A small but compelling exhibition about the Srebrenica Massacre of July 1995, when 8,372 people were killed. Events are described from the perspective of investigative journalists visiting the site of the genocide. The audio guide is highly recommended as there are no signs. Allow at least 60-90 minutes. Two screenings are shown which also last around half an hour combined. Watching the complete day-to-day (military) history of the events on the computers takes at least 1h on its own. The photos, video footage and personal testimonies are shocking; visitor discretion is advised especially with youngsters.

   Daily 09:00-22:00·15 KM, audio guide 5 KM

4. See

   Gazi Husrev-beg's Mosque

   Begova dzamija

   Beautiful medieval mosque at the heart of Old Town. Non-Muslims welcome, but dress appropriately and respect prayer times. It was built in 1530 / 1531 AD (937 AH) in what's called "classical Ottoman" or "early Istanbul" style. It was badly damaged in the 1990s wars, being targeted by the besiegers, but restored and re-opened in 2002.

   Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow·5 KM, includes library-museum next door

5. Eat

   House of Spite

   Inat Kuca

   The history of this restaurant dates back to the Austro-Hungarian occupation, when Sarajevo underwent large scale infrastructure projects which resulted in the post office, the National Museum, the Faculty of Law and many others. When the City Hall was to be constructed however, the Austro-Hungarians faced the stubbornness of an old Bosnian man named Benderija who lived in a house in that location. He refused to have his house demolished for the construction of the City Hall, and only after long negotiations he agreed to give up his property under 2 conditions: he wanted a bag of golden coins as compensation, and the house had to be moved brick by brick to the other side of the river. Since then, the building is known as the house of spite, and a symbol of Bosnian stubbornness and resistance against the government. In 1997, the house was converted to a lovely restaurant selling hearty stew-like meals and Bosnian specialities. A terrace offers a view over the river and the Sarajevo City Hall which it replaces. The house is decorated in oriental style, and worth visiting for the ambient alone.

   Open now · closes 11 pm·6-20 KM (Aug 2017)

6. See

   Jewish Museum

   Muzej Jevreja

   This is housed in the Old Temple (Il kal vjezu) or Grand Temple (Il kal Grandi) built in 1581 for the Sephardic settlers. It's a three-nave building with the front area used for preaching and the upper floors for the women's section. It's mostly a story of harmony and prosperity, but the third floor relates events of 1941-45. The building was badly damaged then and in the 1990s civil wars but has been well restored.

   Mon-Fri 10:00-16:00, Sun 10:00-15:00·KM 3

7. See

   Museum of Alija Izetbegović

   Muzej Alija Izetbegović

   Small museum within the Ploča and Širokac gates of Vratnik, dedicated to Alija Izetbegović, first president of the independent Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He served 1992-2000, much of that time only nominally as he was besieged in Sarajevo in the early years, and overshadowed by the EU High Representative after the war. The museum has a library of Alija's work and a few personal items. The first floor exhibits his life, the passage between Ploča Gate and Širokac Gate exhibits his role as commander of the army. See also his tomb in nearby Kovači cemetery.

   Apr-Sept Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-15:00; Oct-Mar Mon-Fri 10:00-16:00, Sat 10:00-15:00

8. See

   Museum of Literature & Performing Arts

   Muzej književnosti i pozorišne umjetnosti

   A small museum dedicated to the importance of literature and expressive arts in Sarajevo, with attention to prominent local writers and poets. Worth a visit to those interested in arts and literature.

   Mon-Fri 8:00-19:00; Sat 12:00-20:00·3 KM

9. See

   Museum of crimes against humanity and genocide 1992-1995

   Muzej zločina protiv čovječnosti i genocida 1992-1995

   Small but important museum about the genocide during the Bosnian Civil War of 1992-95. The human side of the conflict is portrayed with shocking pictures, personal testimonies and video. Complementary to the 11/7/95 Gallery, which focuses on the Srebrenica Massacre in particular. Warning: the photographs and video may, indeed should, be shocking. Parental advisory and visitor discretion is advised.

   Open now · closes 10 pm·12 KM

10. See

    Museum of the 105th Motorized Brigade

    Muzej 105. motorizovane brigade

    A memorial dedicated to the 105th Motorized Brigade of the Bosnian Army, which took part in the defense of Sarajevo during the 1992-95 siege of the city. Since 1993, over 7,000 members have passed through the brigade, of which 312 were killed in action and more than 2,000 were wounded. The museum is housed in a renovated fortified tower at Pointy Rock.

    T-Fri 12:00-22:00; Sat-Sun 10:00-22:00

11. See

    National Gallery

    Umjetnička galerija

    Established in 1946 after the Second World War, the National Gallery contains over 6,000 pieces of art, with a focus on works of Bosnian interest. Interestingly, the gallery remained open and held exhibitions during the Siege of Sarajevo. It was closed in 2011 and reopened to the public in 2012. The permanent exhibition, Intimacies of Space, highlights Bosnian life from all angles.

    Mon-Sat 10:00-20:00

12. See

    National Museum

    Zemaljski muzej

    Static displays of the natural and human history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including an exhibition of traditional Turkish-style homes of Sarajevo prevalent in the nineteenth century, an extensive collection of insects and stuffed mammals and a large geology section with samples from around the world and a number of meteorites. The museum also offers access to the botanical garden in the middle of the four main buildings: (1) archaeology from the Roman period up to the nineteenth century, (2) Library, (3) Ethnology and (4) Natural sciences.

    Tue-Sun·6 KM

13. See

    Olympic Museum

    Olimpijski muzej

    A museum aimed at the preservation of the memories of the organization of the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. From 1984 to 1992, the museum was located in the city centre, in a mansion owned by Nikola Mandić, former Sarajevo citizen and later president of Croatia during the Nazi occupation in WWII. Declared an enemy of the state at the end of the war, Nikola Mandić lost his life and property, and the mansion was donated to the museum by the Sarajevo city council. At the start of the 1992-95 Civil War, the building was shelled by Serb forces and damaged beyond repair. A significant part of the museums collection went up in flames. The remaining collection was salvaged and transferred to the Zetra Olmypic Complex, and in 2004 the new museum at its current location was opened to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 1984 Olympic Games.

    Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00

14. Eat

    Sarajevo Brewery

    Sarajevska pivara

    A large bar and restaurant near the Latin Bridge. Serves 'western' food, only so-so quality and amount for the price, plus a variety of beers brewed on the premises. Sometimes smoky and lacking ventilation, quality of service variable. The brewery also has a souvenir shop / museum.

    Daily 10:00-01:00

15. See

    Sarajevo Museum 1878–1918

    Muzej Sarajevo 1878–1918

    A small museum dedicated to the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Sarajevo, which started with the Berlin Congress in 1878 and ended with World War I in 1918. The exhibition portrays life in the Austro-Hungarian era from different perspectives and themes. The time line ends with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in front of the building. The few artifacts and photographs include wax figures of the Archduke and his wife, and what are claimed to be the clothes and gun of the assassin. Tasteless photo opportunity with a replica of the car in which the Archduke was assisinated outside costs 1 KM. The location itself is far more notable.

    Mon-Sat 10:00-16:00·4 KM

16. See

    Svrzo's House

    Svrzina kuća

    Part of the Sarajevo City Museum, Svrzo's House shows the living conditions of a Muslim family at the end of the 17th century. The house was built by the eminent Sarajevo family Glođo during the Ottoman occupation of the city, but ownership was transferred to the Svrzo family since the Glođo family had no male successors. The interior is divided in two sections: the public part (selamuk) and the family part (haremluk), which in turn is split in the traditionally separated living quarters for men, women and servants. Despite being constructed entirely of wood, the building was surprisingly well preserved until the Siege of Sarajevo during which it sustained heavy damage. It was rebuilt after the siege and reopened in 1997, and renovated again in 2005.

    Mon-Fr 10:00-16:00, Sat 10:00-15:00·3 KM

17. See

    Tunnel of Hope

    Tunel Spasa

    Sarajevo was besieged and bombarded from 1992, and by 1993 the blockade was total. Serb forces seized the airport, but handed it over to UN peacekeeping forces to avert international intervention. The UN used the airport to bring in humanitarian aid, but wouldn't allow any military support to the city's defenders, and they severed the city from Bosnian-controlled areas to the south. A secret tunnel was therefore dug between Dobrinja just north of the airport to Butmir just south: 340 m of true tunnel, plus covered trenches either side, totalling over 800 m. It enabled arms, munitions, oil and food to be brought into the city, and served as an evacuation route for officials and civilians. Later it was equipped with rail tracks, an oil pipe and electricity and telecoms cables. A museum has been built over the Butmir entrance, with 20 m of tunnel accessible to visitors, plus displays on the siege. City tours often include this museum.

    Apr-Oct daily 09:00-17:00, Nov-Mar daily 09:00-16:00·15 KM. 5 KM for students. Additional charge for an audio guide delivered via your smartphone

18. See

    War Childhood Museum

    Muzej ratnog djetinjstva

    Opened in 2017, the museum has personal belongings on display that illustrate the experience of a childhood during the Siege of Sarajevo. An audio guide reveals the stories behind the items, complementing the exhibits with additional pictures, audio and video. Video testimonies of inhabitants who grew up during the war are also shown throughout the visit. Only around 50 are in the permanent collection at any time, but the book War Childhood offers a compilation of them all. The book is for sale in the museum or can be consulted for free in the library section.

    Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow·10 KM. 8 KM for students

19. See Not mapped

    Bosnian Historical Museum

    Historijski muzej

    The museum was founded 70 years ago, but heavily damaged by shelling during the war and still in a perpetual state of disrepair. The exhibitions primarily focus on the war, but the presentation of the artifacts is outdated, and the museum lacks content overall. Some of the displays are worth a visit, at least if you are able to cope with the graphic pictures. The 11/7/95 Gallery and War Childhood Museum offer similar content for a much better value.

    Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow·5 KM

20. See Not mapped

    Gazi Husrev-Bey's Library Museum

    Muzej Gazi Husrev-begove biblioteke

    In a modern building opened in 2014, the museum has a collection of over 1,200 items, displaying Islamic calligraphy, time-keeping and everyday objects of Muslim life. It's within the library which holds some 100,000 historic manuscripts, printed books, periodicals and archive documents, but these are only accessible to registered users.

    Mon-Fri 09:00-19:00, Sun 10:00-19:00·5 KM, includes mosque

21. See Not mapped

    Hanikah

    Gazi Husrev-begova Hanikah

    A khanaqah is a Sufi lodge or centre for the study of Islamic mysticism. This one is a 1998 replica of the original built in 1531 with 14 study rooms, a simahana (room used for Dervish religious ritual), mihrab niche to indicate the direction of Mecca, and a šadrvan fountain in the inner courtyard. It's nowadays an art gallery.

    Mon-Sat 09:00-20:00

22. Buy Not mapped

    Isfahan Gallery

    Persian carpet seller inside the Morića Inn. The handcrafted carpets are pricey, but the setting inside the reconstructed inn is worth a visit.

23. See Not mapped

    Modern Art Museum

    Ars Aevi

    Museum for contemporary art, formed during the war as a "resistance of culture". It has 130 works by notable artists such as Italian painter and art theorist Michelangelo Pistoletto, Greek artist Jannis Kounellis, German performance artist and sculptor Joseph Beuys, and US conceptual artist Joseph Kosuth. Tatty concrete building, they hope for a new museum building by Renzo Piano someday.

    Daily 10:00-18:00

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Sarajevo (CC BY-SA 4.0).