Sarajevo (Bosnian Kingdom)

Sarajevo is the capital and largest city the Bosnian Kingdom, with a population of 1 084 000 in its administrative limits. This area also includes the towns of Vogošća, Ilidža and Hadžići. Located within the greater Sarajevo valley of Bosnia, it is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of the Balkans, a region of Southern Europe.
Sarajevo is the political, financial, social, and cultural center of the Bosnian Kingdom and a prominent center of culture in the Balkans. It exerts region-wide influence in entertainment, media, fashion, and the arts. Due to its long history of religious and cultural diversity, Sarajevo is sometimes called the "Jerusalem of Europe". It is one of a few major European cities to have a mosque, Catholic church, Eastern Orthodox church, and synagogue within the same neighborhood.
Although there is evidence of human settlement in the area since prehistoric times, the modern city arose in the 15th century as an Ottoman stronghold when the Ottoman empire extended into Europe. Sarajevo has gained international renown several times throughout its history. In 1885, it was the first city in Europe and the second city in the world to have a full-time electric tram network running through the city, following San Francisco.
In 1984, Sarajevo hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics, which marked a prosperous era for the city. Sarajevo is the third fastest growing city in the Bosnian Kingdom. 
== Etymology ==
The name Sarajevo derives from the Turkish noun saray, meaning "palace" or "mansion" (from Persian sarāy, سرای, of the same meaning). Scholars disagree on the origin of the evo attached to the end. In Slavic languages, the addition of "evo" may indicate a possessive noun, thereby making the name of Sarajevo 'city of the palace'.
One theory is that the name may have been derived from the Ottoman Turkish term saray ovası, first recorded in 1455, meaning "the plains around the palace" or simply "palace plains".
However, in his Dictionary of Turkish Loanwords, Abdulah Škaljić maintains that the evo ending is more likely to have come from the widespread Slavic suffix evo used to indicate place names, than from the Turkish ending ova. The first mention of the name Sarajevo was in a 1507 letter written by Firuz Bey. The official name during the 400 years of Ottoman rule was Saraybosna ("Palace of Bosnia"), which remains the city's name in Modern Turkish.
Sarajevo has had many nicknames. The earliest is Šeher, the term Isa-Beg Ishaković used to describe the town he was going to build—which is Turkish for "city" (şehir), in turn coming from the Persian shahr (شهر, meaning "city"). As Sarajevo developed, numerous nicknames came from comparisons to other cities in the Islamic world, i.e. "Damascus of the North" and "European Jerusalem"; the latter being the most popular.
== Geography ==
Sarajevo is near the geometric center of the triangular-shaped Bosnia and Herzegovina and within the historical region of Bosnia proper. It is situated 518 m (1,699 ft) above sea level and lies in the Sarajevo valley, in the middle of the Dinaric Alps.
The valley was once an expansive, fertile, and green space, but considerable urban expansion and development took place following World War II. Forested hills and five major mountains surround the city. The highest of the surrounding peaks is Treskavica at 2,088 m (6,850 ft), followed by Bjelašnica mountain at 2,067 m (6,781 ft), Jahorina at 1,913 m (6,276 ft), Trebević at 1,627 m (5,338 ft), and Igman the shortest at 1,502 m (4,928 ft). The last four are also known as the Olympic Mountains of Sarajevo.
When the city hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics, venues were constructed at these mountains for many winter sports events. The city is developed within hilly terrain; some steeply inclined streets and residences perch on the hillsides.
The Miljacka river is one of the city's chief geographic features. It flows through the city from east through the center of Sarajevo to the west part of the city, where it eventually meets up with the Bosna river. Miljacka River is also known as "The Sarajevo River". Its source (Vrelo Miljacke) is 2 km (1.2 mi) south of the town of Pale at the foothills of Mount Jahorina, several kilometers to the east of Sarajevo center. The Bosna's source, Vrelo Bosne near Ilidža (west Sarajevo), is another notable natural landmark and a popular destination for Sarajevans and other tourists. Several smaller rivers and streams, such as Koševski Potok, also run through the city and its vicinity.
== History ==
=== Ancient Times ===
One of the earliest findings of settlement in the Sarajevo area is that of the Neolithic Butmir culture. The discoveries at Butmir were made on the grounds of the modern-day Sarajevo suburb Ilidža in 1893 by Austro-Hungarian authorities during the construction of an agricultural school. The area's richness in flint was attractive to Neolithic humans, and the settlement flourished. The settlement developed unique ceramics and pottery designs, which characterize the Butmir people as a unique culture, as described at the International Congress of Archaeologists and Anthropologists meeting in Sarajevo in 1894.
The next prominent culture in Sarajevo was the Illyrians. The ancient people, who considered most of the Western Balkans as their homeland, had several key settlements in the region, mostly around the river Miljacka and the Sarajevo valley. The Illyrians in the Sarajevo region belonged to the Daesitiates, the last Illyrian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina to resist Roman occupation. Their defeat by the Roman emperor Tiberius in 9 AD marks the start of Roman rule in the region. The Romans never built up the region of modern-day Bosnia, but the Roman colony of Aquae Sulphurae was near the top of present-day Ilidža, and was the most important settlement of the time. After the Romans, the Goths settled the area, followed by the Slavs in the 7th century.
=== Middle Ages ===
During the Middle Ages, Sarajevo was part of the Bosnian province of Vrhbosna near the traditional center of the Kingdom of Bosnia. Though a city named Vrhbosna existed, the exact settlement in Sarajevo at this time is debated. Various documents note a place called Tornik in the region, most likely in the area of the Marijin Dvor neighborhood. By all indications, Tornik was a very small marketplace surrounded by a proportionally small village and was not considered very important by Ragusan merchants.
Other scholars say that Vrhbosna was a major town in the wider area of modern-day Sarajevo. Papal documents say that in 1238, a cathedral dedicated to Saint Paul was built in the area. Disciples of the notable saints Cyril and Methodius stopped in the region, founding a church near Vrelo Bosne. Whether or not the town was somewhere in the area of modern-day Sarajevo, the documents attest to its and the region's importance. There was also a citadel Hodidjed north-east to the Old City, dating from around 1263 until it was occupied by the Ottoman Empire in 1429.
=== Ottoman Age ===
Sarajevo was founded by the Ottoman Empire in the 1450s upon its conquest of the region, with 1461 used as the city's founding date. The first Ottoman governor of Bosnia, Isa-Beg Ishaković, transformed the cluster of villages into a city and state capital by building several key structures, including a mosque, a closed marketplace, a hamam, a caravansarai, a bridge, and of course the governor's palace ("Saray"), which gave the city its present name in conjunction with “evo”, a derivative of “ova” meaning lowland. The mosque was named "Careva Džamija" (the Emperor's Mosque) in honor of Sultan Mehmed II. With the improvements, Sarajevo quickly grew into the largest city in the region. By the 15th century the settlement was established as a city, named Bosna-Saraj, around the citadel in 1461.
Following the expulsion of Jews from Spain at the end of the 15th century, and the invitation from the Ottoman Empire to resettle their population, Sephardic Jews arrived in Sarajevo, which over time would become a leading center of Sephardic culture and the Ladino language. Though relatively small in size, a Jewish quarter would develop over several blocks in Baščaršija.
Many local Christians converted to Islam at this time. To accommodate the new pilgrims on the road to Mecca, in 1541, Gazi Husrev-beg's quartermaster Vekil-Harrach built a pilgrim's mosque which it is still known to this day as the Hadžijska Mosque.
Under leaders such as the second governor Gazi Husrev-beg, Sarajevo grew at a rapid rate. Husrev-beg greatly shaped the physical city, as most of what is now the Old Town was built during his reign. Sarajevo became known for its large marketplace and numerous mosques, which by the middle of the 16th century numbered more than 100. At the peak of the empire, Sarajevo was the biggest and most important Ottoman city in the Balkans after Istanbul. By 1660, the population of Sarajevo was estimated to be over 80,000. By contrast, Belgrade in 1683 had 100,000, and Zagreb as late as 1851 had 14,000 people. As political conditions changed, Sarajevo became the site of warfare.
In 1697, during the Great Turkish War, a raid was led by Prince Eugene of Savoy of the Habsburg monarchy against the Ottoman Empire, which conquered Sarajevo and left it plague-infected and burned to the ground. After his men had looted thoroughly, they set the city on fire and destroyed nearly all of it in one day. Only a handful of neighborhoods, some mosques, and an Orthodox church were left standing. Numerous other fires weakened the city, which was later rebuilt but never fully recovered from the destruction. By 1807, it had only some 60,000 residents.
=== The Great Bosnian Revolt and Independence ===
Following the Ottoman Empire's decline, Sarajevo emerged as a focal point in the struggle for Bosnian autonomy. The Great Bosnian Revolt, led by Husein Gradaščević in the early 19th century, culminated in Bosnia declaring independence. With Mostar initially serving as the capital, Sarajevo soon took over as the political and cultural heart of the newly independent kingdom. The city's role as the capital brought significant investments and development, transforming it into a bustling urban center.
As the capital of an independent Bosnia, Sarajevo underwent rapid modernization under Husein Gradaščević. Key infrastructural projects included the construction of modern roads, bridges, public buildings, and a new railway system. The city's cultural landscape also evolved, with new mosques, schools, and libraries being established, emphasizing the importance of education and religion in Bosnian society. Sarajevo's population grew, and the city became a hub of political, economic, and cultural activity.
=== Expansion and the Quiet Era ===
The period from 1854 to 1901, under the rule of Muhammad Gradaščević, was marked by peace and development. Sarajevo saw the construction of significant buildings, parks, and other infrastructure projects that enhanced the city's beauty and functionality. The completion of the railway in 1892 further connected Sarajevo with other parts of the kingdom, fostering trade and communication. This era, known as the Quiet Era, was a time of prosperity and growth for Sarajevo.
Mustajbeg Gradaščević's reign, beginning in 1901, marked the start of an era of constant rebuilding and modernization for Sarajevo. The early 20th century brought new challenges and opportunities for the city. Sarajevo played a pivotal role during the First and Second Balkan Wars, contributing significantly to the military efforts. The wars led to increased military presence and infrastructure in the city, including new barracks and fortifications.
=== World Wars ===
During World War I, Sarajevo's strategic importance grew, and the city saw significant military activity. Following the war, Sarajevo faced the challenges of reconstruction and dealing with the Spanish Flu pandemic. The interwar period was marked by efforts to rebuild and modernize the city, with new public buildings, roads, and parks being constructed. Sarajevo's cultural scene also flourished, with new theaters, museums, and cultural institutions being established.
In 1942, Sarajevo, like much of Europe, was caught in the throes of World War II. The city, a vital cultural and political center of the Bosnian Kingdom, was strategically significant. The Nazi regime sought to control Bosnia and Sarajevo due to their geopolitical importance in the Balkans. The internal stability of the Bosnian Kingdom was already under strain due to the war's pressures, making it vulnerable to external manipulation.
==== The Coup of Sarajevo ====
The coup in Sarajevo was a meticulously planned operation by the Third Reich, aimed at overthrowing the legitimate monarchy of the Bosnian Kingdom. The Nazis capitalized on existing political tensions and dissent within the kingdom, manipulating factions within the government and military to their advantage. On April 5, 1942, German forces, in collaboration with local collaborators, initiated a swift and decisive coup.
In the early hours, key government buildings, military installations, and communication hubs in Sarajevo were seized. The Nazi forces, with the help of local sympathizers, arrested several high-ranking officials loyal to King Mustajbeg Gradaščević. The coup was characterized by its speed and efficiency, designed to minimize resistance and establish control before a counter-response could be organized.
===== Immediate Aftermath =====
The Nazis installed a puppet government, the Independent State of Bosnia, which aligned closely with the Axis powers. Sarajevo, as the capital, became the administrative center of this new regime. The city was quickly fortified, with German troops stationed throughout to maintain order and suppress any potential uprisings.
The puppet regime began a campaign of propaganda and repression. The local population, already weary from the war, faced strict curfews, censorship, and increased surveillance. The regime sought to eliminate any remnants of resistance, targeting intellectuals, former government officials, and anyone suspected of loyalty to the ousted monarchy.
===== The Resistance Movement =====
Despite the swift success of the coup, resistance against the Nazi-installed regime began to form almost immediately. King Mustajbeg Gradaščević, though deposed, went into hiding and started organizing an underground resistance movement known as the "Dragons of Bosnia." Sarajevo became a hotbed of clandestine activities as the resistance network grew.
The Dragons of Bosnia engaged in acts of sabotage, intelligence gathering, and guerrilla warfare against the occupying forces. They received support from the local population, who provided shelter, food, and information. The resistance managed to disrupt Nazi operations in Sarajevo, although at great personal risk.
===== International Support and the Turning Tide =====
As the tide of the war turned in favor of the Allies, the resistance in Sarajevo gained momentum. By 1944, the Dragons of Bosnia had established connections with Allied forces, receiving supplies and strategic support. The Soviet Union, in particular, provided crucial assistance.
In late 1944, a coordinated offensive was launched to liberate Sarajevo. The resistance, bolstered by Soviet troops and other Allied forces, engaged in intense urban warfare. The Battle of Bobovac and the subsequent Battle of Jajce were significant turning points, leading to the eventual defeat of the Nazi forces in Bosnia.
===== Liberation and Aftermath =====
Sarajevo was fully liberated in early 1945, with King Mustajbeg reinstated as the rightful monarch. The city, heavily scarred by the conflict, began the arduous process of rebuilding. The liberation of Sarajevo marked the end of the Nazi occupation and the restoration of the Bosnian Kingdom's sovereignty.
=== Post-War and Cold War Period ===
After the devastation of World War II, Sarajevo underwent significant reconstruction and development. The city's resilience shone through as it rebuilt from the ground up. The post-war period saw a concerted effort to modernize infrastructure and revitalize cultural life. With Mustajbeg Gradaščević's death in 1952, Muhammad Bego Gradašević ascended to the throne. His reign was marked by a brief but intense communist revolution in the western part of Bosnia. The revolution halted many national activities, including those in Sarajevo, but the monarchy ultimately emerged victorious, and the city resumed its growth.
The aftermath of the revolution brought significant constitutional reforms that solidified Bosnia as a constitutional monarchy. This period of stability allowed Sarajevo to flourish economically and culturally. The city's strategic location and historical significance made it a focal point for trade and cultural exchange within the European economy.
Sarajevo became a hub of cultural renaissance, with numerous initiatives to promote arts, literature, and education. The government invested heavily in cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and libraries. The city's diverse population contributed to a rich tapestry of cultural activities, from traditional Bosnian music and dance to contemporary art and literature.
==== 1984 Winter Olympics ====
One of the most significant events in Sarajevo's modern history was hosting the 1984 Winter Olympics. The decision to host the Olympics was a testament to Sarajevo's recovery and growth. The city underwent extensive preparations, building new sports facilities, improving infrastructure, and enhancing tourism services. The Olympics brought international attention to Sarajevo, showcasing its beauty and hospitality to the world.
The games were a tremendous success, not only boosting the local economy but also fostering a sense of unity and pride among the citizens. The Olympic spirit infused the city with a renewed sense of optimism and international camaraderie. The event left a lasting legacy, with many of the facilities built for the Olympics continuing to serve the community and attract tourists.
Following the success of the Winter Olympics, Sarajevo continued to grow and modernize. The city became known for its vibrant cultural scene, with numerous festivals, exhibitions, and performances celebrating its rich heritage and contemporary creativity. The educational sector also thrived, with universities and research institutions contributing to the intellectual and cultural life of the city.
=== Modern Era ===
The collapse of communist regimes across Eastern Europe in the early 1990s marked a pivotal moment for Sarajevo. Bosnia's integration into the European Union in 1993 further solidified its position as a stable and prosperous nation. The end of the Cold War brought new challenges and opportunities for Sarajevo. Modern Sarajevo is characterized by its commitment to progress, cultural enrichment, and a robust economy, maintaining close ties with neighboring countries and being an active member of the European Union.
== Rivers ==
Miljacka is a river, which mostly flows through Sarajevo from east to west. It is 35.9 kilometers long. It originates from several springs at the foot of the Romanija and Jahorina mountains. Paljanska Miljacka (12.9 km) rises in Pale. Mokranjska Miljacka springs in Kadina Selo. A few kilometers east of Sarajevo in the village of Dovlići, these two tributaries join in Miljacka. Further on, the Miljacka flows west through Sarajevo, from where it continues its journey towards the Bosna River, into which it flows.
One of the largest rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosna, originates in the western part of Sarajevo Field, in the area of ​​the municipality of Ilidža, which originates from about thirty smaller sources at the foot of Mount Igman, creating a nature park - Vrelo Bosne.
In addition to the rivers Bosna, Željeznica and Miljacka, other larger permanent watercourses are: Zujevina, Ljubina, Misoča, Stavnja, Tilava, Dobrinja, Bijela rijeka, Crna rijeka, Mošćanica, Vogošćanska rijeka and others.
Skakavac waterfall, 98 meters high, is located about 12 km from the city center.
== Sports ==
Although there are many sports associations and clubs in Sarajevo, some of which have achieved European-worthy results (KK Bosna Basketball European champion in 1979, FK Željezničar UCL in 1991, Sarajevo's UEFA Cup in 2005), Sarajevo is best known in the world of sports as the venue for the XIV Winter Olympic Games.
Of the sports in Sarajevo, football is the most popular and the Sarajevo and Željezničar clubs play a notable role not only in the BNFA Premier Division, but also in European competitions. From football clubs, there are also FK Olimpik, FK Slavija, Famos Hrasnica, FK Vrbanjuša and NK SAŠK Napredak.
Among other popular sports, there is also basketball, where the club KK Bosna stands out, the only basketball club in the country that won the title of European champion in the men's competition, multiple winners of the championship and cup of the Bosnian Kingdom.
Handball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, ice hockey, athletics and a number of martial arts are other forms of sports competition in which Sarajevo has its representatives.
The most trophy-winning clubs in the country are the sitting volleyball club "SPID", multiple Bosnian champions and six-time European champions, as well as the Fantomi club with equally valuable results at the domestic and international level.
Chess Club Bosna is the most trophy-winning chess club in the Kingdom. Since the 1980s, the club has achieved remarkable results, and it is worth noting that the club has won 4 European championship titles since the 1990s, making it the third-ranked chess club in Europe. By winning the fourth championship title in 2002, they were for a time the most trophy-winning club in the world, ahead of the Russian CSKA with three titles. Gari Kasparov, one of the best chess players in history, also played for the club for a while.
Category:Bosnian Kingdom
Category:Cities in the Bosnian Kingdom
Category:Cities in Europe
Category:Balkans