Bascarsija

Overview

Formed in the 15th century as Sarajevo grew under Ottoman rule, Bascarsija is the city's old bazaar. It holds the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the Sebilj wooden fountain, a clock tower and dozens of craft lanes where coppersmiths, cafés and sweet shops still trade. The eastern end is Ottoman while the west shifts into Austro-Hungarian architecture, so two cityscapes meet within a single street.

History

It grew as a commercial centre under Ottoman rule in the 15th century and peaked in the 16th as one of the largest bazaars in the Balkans; the Austro-Hungarian period extended the city westwards in the late 19th century.

Highlights

• •Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
• •The Sebilj wooden fountain
• •The coppersmiths' lane
• •Where Ottoman and Austrian architecture meet

Practical tips

• •Haggling over copper is normal — check whether pieces are hand-beaten
• •The teahouses are at their best in the evening

Practical information

Best time

April-October

Tickets

The old town is free; the mosque accepts a small donation

Opening hours

Old town open all day; shops roughly 9:00-20:00

Local food

Cevapi, Bosnian coffee, baklava

Getting around

In central Sarajevo, five minutes on foot from the tram terminus.

Visa

Visa-free for stays up to 90 days with a valid passport.

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