9/26/2015
Sarajevo, founded by the Ottomans in the 15th century, boasts a once multicultural haven where Muslims, Serbs, Croats, Turks, and Jews coexisted, making it second only in importance to Istanbul. Prayer calls were once heard from mosques, synagogues, and churches, but this all descended into chaos after the Yugoslav wars of the 1990's. After the 4 year siege of the city by Bosnian Serbs, Sarajevo has been rebuilding and we can see the signs of religious pluralism as we walk the neighborhoods and visit the houses of worship.
These are full and impactful days for our tour group. We are fortunate to have a combination of excellent local guides, well planned walking tours through the neighborhoods, time for the joys of good food and Turkish ("Bosnian") coffee, shopping, and stimulating conversation.
Three dates which put Sarajevo on the historical map:
1914- assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which sparked World War 1
1984 - Winter Olympics
1991-1995 4 year Siege of Sarajevo by the Serbian Nationalists
Pix below: Muslim Old Town; rebuilt City Hall on right, burned out library (read "The Cellist of Sarajevo") on left; coppersmith shop
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