Sarajevo

About

Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After facing near annihilation in the 1990's, the city today is considered one of the most interesting in all of Europe. Often referred to as "little Jerusalem", Sarajevo is famous for its rich religious diversity and fascinating history. On a single street, you'll find a Catholic church, an Orthodox Church, a synagogue, and many mosques coinciding with one another. The restored city center has an architectural mixture of Ottoman and Austro Hungarian buildings. There are many oriental shops, giving the center a village-like atmosphere. The Bosnian Historical Museum, the most important museum in Sarajevo, depicts the impact of nearly four years of war (from 1992-1995). Perhaps the most significant sight of the city's past is the Latin Bridge. In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife crossed the bridge in an open car and were consequently shot and killed by Gavrilo Princip. This act sparked a war between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, and (due to the web of alliances in Europe) led to the First World War.