Student Life
WHERE TO LIVE
NEDŽARIĆI STUDENT DORMITORY
Aleje Bosne srebrene bb
www.student-centar.ba
The Nedžarići Student Dormitory is located in Novi Grad Municipality with an accommodation capacity of 960 places. The Nedžarići Student Dormitory possesses a student restaurant, cafe-pizzeria, park, multimedia centre and library, reading room, football and basketball court, two tennis courts, a table tennis facility and copying facilities. As part of its activities, SD Nedžarići organizes numerous cultural and sporting events to its tenants, as well as numerous courses and lectures in various fields.
Depending on the room, the price of housing ranges from 154 KM to 169 KM.
BJELAVE STUDENT DORMITORY
Bardakčije No. 1.
www.student-centar.ba
The Bjelave Student Dormitory is located in Centar Municipality. It consists of nine pavilions with an accommodation capacity of about 1000 places. The dormitory has a restaurant, coffee-buffet, park, program room, multimedia centre and library, outdoor amphitheatre and a football and basketball court. As part of its contents, The Bjelave Student Dormitory organises numerous cultural and sporting events as well as numerous courses and lectures in various fields. The “Studentski centar” public enterprise organises a summer reception during the summer break at the Bjelave Student Dormitory in order to enable the accommodation of students during summer schools and enrollment preparatory classes.
Depending on the room, the price of housing ranges from 154 KM to 169 KM.
PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION
A large number of students opt for private accommodation where the prices depend on proximity of the accommodation to the city centre, as well as the size of the living quarters.
Monthly rental prices range from 150 KM and above.
HEALTH CARE FOR STUDENTS
JUKS Institute for Health Care of Health of the University of Sarajevo
Patriotske lige br. 36
www.zdravljestudenata.ba
The Institute for Student Health Care of the University of Sarajevo has been in existence for over 60 years and provides health care to young people with student status at the University of Sarajevo during their studies (in the age from 19 to 26 years). It primary task is to protect the health of students and provide health care, but its mission is also to establish a relationship of trust and mutual respect between medical staff and patients and to promote a healthy lifestyle and taking care of one's own body and mind among students.
CULTURAL EVENTS
With several national and city theatres, museums and cultural institutions, Sarajevo is also an important place on the cultural map of this part of the European continent. Every year, the city on the River Miljacka hosts a number of international cultural festivals, among which the most important are SFF - the Sarajevo Film Festival, the Sarajevo JazzFest, Baščaršijske noći (Baščaršija Nights), “MESS” International Theatre Festival, the “Sarajevo Winter” international festival, “TeatarFest” experimental theatre festival, the Sarajevo Poetry Days, and Kid’s Fest – children’s film festival.
SARAJEVSKA ZIMA (SARAJEVO WINTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL)
7-21 March
Launched in the year of the Winter Olympic Games, the “Sarajevo Winter” - Sarajevo International Festival has become a traditional meeting of artists and citizens of the world, forty days of uninterrupted performances - music, dance, theatre, art exhibitions, book promotion. The festival is held annually from 7 February to 21 March.
www.sarajevskazima.ba
SARAJEVO FILM FESTIVAL
August
The Sarajevo Film Festival is the most prominent movie event in SE Europe. The festival was established during the war and has grown into a traditional annual event visited by many reputable names from the industry.
www.sff.ba
BAŠČARŠIJSKE NOĆI
1-31 July
Baščaršijske noći (Baščaršija nights) is a summer festival of culture held annually in Sarajevo from 1 July to 31 July. Most of the programmes are held in the old part of the city, most often on the central stage on the plateau across the City Hall. The programmes include opera, ballet, theatre performances, rock concerts, sevdalinka, literary evenings, programmes for children, concerts, film performances, folklore and more.
www.bascarsijskenoci.bkc.ba
MESS Festival
October
The MESS International Theatre Festival comprises several programs featuring theatres and modern dance groups from all over Europe. The works are performed in the guest theatre’s mother tongue. The MESS today is the most relevant theatre festival in Southeast Europe.
www.mess.ba
JAZZ FEST
November
The international music festival “Jazz Fest” is a musical event that has built a considerable reputation in a relatively short time. During the festival, it is possible to hear the best world jazz music in Sarajevo, and artists who belong to new directions.
https://jazzfest.ba
SOCIAL LIFE
ARCHITECTURE
The city’s urban image is characterized by numerous sacral objects, mosques from the Ottoman era, Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical churches, synagogues and other cultural and historical monuments, and also modern architectural buildings built according to the latest standards.
MUSEUMS
There are 20 important museums in Sarajevo, whose exhibitions speak about the interesting history of Sarajevo and the rich culture of the people who live here. The remains of the Neolithic Butmir civilization, traces of the Illyrians, Romans, Slavs, testify to the long inhabitation of these areas. The oldest traces of life in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be found in the National Museum, the Historical Museum and Brusa bezistan and other cultural and historical institutions.
HISTORY MUSEUM
Through its archives, documents, photographs and various subjects the History Museum treats the entire history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, from the first mention of the name Bosnia (949 AD) until the modern age.
Address: Zmaja od Bosne 5
Working hours: Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 22:00
www.muzej.ba
THE JEWISH MUSEUM
The Jewish Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in the oldest synagogue in BiH, built in 1581. Entering the Synagogue, one enters a different, protected world that testifies to the centuries of Jewish presence in BiH and the contribution they have given to the development of this country. It is reflected in all segments and especially in the development of science and arts. The special attention was given to the depiction of the suffering of this people during the Second World War.
Address: Velika avlija bb
Working hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00–18:00; Saturday: 10:00–15:00
www.muzejsarajeva.ba
SARAJEVO 1878-1918 MUSEUM
In this exhibition, there is a permanent exhibit “Sarajevo 1878-1918”, which displays Sarajevo during the Austro-Hungarian rule. This chronological-thematic exhibition begins with the presentation of events that preceded the mandate for the occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and ends with the First World War and the participation of the 1st Bosnian regiment. The exhibition SARAJEVO 1878-1918 MUSEUM is located in the building in front of which the Austro-Hungarian prince and his wife were assassinated.
Address: Zelenih beretki 1
Work hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00-18:00; Saturday: 10: 00-15:00
www.muzejsarajeva.ba
CITY HALL
The City Hall is located not far from Baščaršija on Mustaj-pašin mejdan and represents the most beautiful and representative building from the Austro-Hungarian period built in the pseudo-Moorish style. The design for the City Hall building was started by Karlo Paržik, continued by Alexandar Wittek and finished by Ćiril M. Iveković. The City Hall building was officially opened on 20 April 1896.
After the Second World War until 1949, the City Hall housed the city administration, and after that became the City Library, i.e. the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the aggression against Sarajevo in the night from 25 to 26 August 1992, the City Hall building was set on fire by incendiary shells. The National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Collection disappeared - approx. 80% of the library and documents testifying to the history of BiH.
The City Hall has been authentically restored. Dozens of architects, painters, workers and other experts have been painstakingly working on the restoration project for 18 years. The City Hall was officially opened on 9 May 2014, and ever since has been open to visitors.
Address: Obala Kulina bana 1
Work hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 - 20:00
www.vijecnica.ba
BRUSA BEZISTAN
The Brusa bezistan - a 16th century covered bazaar – houses the Museum of Sarajevo exhibition with a permanent exhibit “From prehistory to the end of the Austro-Hungarian period.” Among other things, jewellery and remains of pottery from archaeological Neolithic sites Butmir and Debelo Brdo are exhibited in this museum, whereas part of the exhibits from these locations is also exhibited in the National Museum.
Address: Abadžiluk 10
Work hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00-18:00; Saturday: 10:00-15:00
www.muzejsarajeva.ba
THE SVRZO FAMILY HOUSE
Svrzina kuća (the Svrzo Family House) is a private house in Sarajevo built in the traditional Bosnian style, today a museum of Bosnian architecture. The house absolutely guarded the intimacy of family life and it provides an insight into the life of sokak, a residential street. It is the most beautiful preserved example of the Sarajevo housing construction exceptionality from the Ottoman era in which the rich Muslim family Svrzo lived. Now it is part of the Sarajevo Museum.
Address: Glođina 8
Working hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00-16:00; Saturday: 10:00-15:00
www.muzejsarajeva.ba
THE DESPIĆ FAMILY HOUSE
Despića kuća (the Despić Family House) is a museum-house in Sarajevo. The house shows the culture of living of the rich Serbian Orthodox merchant family Despić. It is located at the corner of the Obala Kulina bana and Despićeva Street in the old part of Sarajevo, not far from the Latin Bridge. The Despića house is a part of the depot of the Sarajevo Museum.
Address: Despićeva 2
Working hours: Monday to Friday: 10: 00-18: 00; Saturday: 10: 00-15: 00
www.muzejsarajeva.ba
FRANCISCAN MONASTERY
The Franciscan Monastery of St. Anthony (Sv. Anto) at Bistrik is one of the centres of the Franciscan province of Bosna Srebrena, along with the venerable church of St. Anthony of Padua. In the vicinity of St. Anthony of Padua’s Church, the Franciscans built a monastery in 1894 according to Karl Panek's design. The monastery holds the Bosna Srebrena central archive and a rich collection of paintings with more than a hundred works of mostly contemporary fine arts of the most famous Croatian painters.
Address: Franjevačka 6
www.bosnasrebrena.ba
A THING OR TWO ABOUT SARAJEVO
In the 1450s, Isa-beg Ishaković laid the foundations of Sarajevo, today's recognizable urban centre. Sarajevo is the capital and the largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The east-west direction, following the River Miljacka, extends from Bentbaša to the Sarajevo Field and to Ilidža and Hrasnica. Its width is situated between Mt. Trebević and Mt. Crepoljsko, Debelo brdo and Hum.
It can be freely stated that the city of Sarajevo is an urban, economic, administrative, university, cultural and artistic centre of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Thanks to its rich spiritual, historical and natural appearance, with population of 429,000, Sarajevo is far more famous than some of the larger cities of the world.
The City of Sarajevo is the seat of the largest higher education institution in the country - the University of Sarajevo and other higher education institutions, which makes it one of the largest university centres in all of Southeast Europe.
FIRST TRAMWAY
Along with electric lighting on 1 May 1895, the first electric streetcar which replaced the former horse driven ones began operating in Sarajevo.
SARAJEVO ASSASSINATION
On 28 June 1914, Gavrilo Princip, member of the secret irredentist organization “Mlada Bosna” assassinated the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sofia, which was the casus belli for the First World War.
14th WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES
Sarajevo is also an Olympic city. In 1984, from 8 to 19 of February, Sarajevo hosted the 14th Winter Olympic Games that were the best organized until then. Even today, there is an Olympic spirit of the city, present especially in winter.
EYOF
The European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), the European Youth Olympic Festival, is the largest Winter Olympics Winter Sports Festival for young athletes aged 14 to 18. Sarajevo and east Sarajevo will the host this festival in February 2019.
THE SIEGE
In 1990s, the name of the city of Sarajevo was often on the cover of daily newspapers across the whole world. In 1992, Sarajevo entered the longest siege in one of the bloodiest wars in recent European history and remained under constant siege for 1,479 days.
SARAJEVO LANDMARKS
River Miljacka runs through the length of the city, and in the immediate vicinity there are the Springs of River Bosna, with a popular picnic site - Vrelo Bosne. Around the city there are the Olympic mountains: Jahorina, Bjelašnica, Igman, Treskavica and Trebević, popular winter sports sites and destinations for tourists from all over the world during the winter.
PROTECTED AREAS
There are several protected areas around Sarajevo. One can visit the Nature Monument “Vrelo Bosne”, Nature Park “Skakavac”, “Trebević” Protected Landscape and “Bijambare” Protected Landscape.
The Nature Monument “Vrelo Bosne”, or the River Bosna Springs, is located southwest of the city of Sarajevo, below the slopes of the Igman and Bjelašnica mountains. The Vrelo Bosne has always been considered an integral part of the Ilidža - Vrelo Bosne - Stojčevac area, because of its natural and cultural and historical values that are inseparably linked to this area. Even according to the made values, this area represents a unit, especially from the aspect of tourism, spa treatment and recreation. The richness of nature in this area is reflected in the high-quality drinking water, thermal waters and forests, attractive locations for tourism and recreation, as well as numerous cultural heritage sites.
The Nature Monument “Skakavac” and the Skakavac waterfall are located north of Sarajevo, some 12 km away from the city centre. The waterfall is 98 m high. Although there is no large water flow, it is exceptional beautiful, especially in the winter when it freezes. Vegetation around the waterfall abounds with endemic and relic species. The surrounding area is very heterogeneous. A trip from Sarajevo to the Skakavac waterfall is considered a half-day tour for visitors, and a bike tour is possible.
The “Trebević” Protected Landscape encompasses the area of Mt. Trebević, located on the south-eastern side of Sarajevo - another popular picnic site. The favourable geographical position, altitude, mild climate and natural beauties have taken the place in the hearts of nature lovers since the Austro-Hungarian times, when the potential of this area was recognized and started being transformed it into a picnic area. The Trebević development trend continued until the Second World War when it abruptly ceased, and resumed after 1945, especially after the construction of the Trebević cable car. Since 1954, Trebević has been a protected landscape. With the Sarajevo mahalas on its slopes, it represents a unique harmony of the urban and the natural.
The peak of Mt. Trebević is a habitat and a classic site of the endemic plant species of Bosnian Iris - perennial bearded iris (Iris bosniaca) and the habitat of the endemic animal species Dinaromys bogdanovi (Dinaric mouse).
The “Bijambare” Protected Landscape is located along the main road Sarajevo - Tuzla, along the edge of the Nišić plateau between the villages of Nišići and Krivajevići. Towards the west and north there are wavy mountain meadows, and to the south and east are large and dense forests. In several places, there are also rocky limestone crests that give the whole landscape a unique natural entity. The “Bijambare” Protected Landscape occupies an area of 497 ha and was established in order to preserve the landscape and to enable scientific research, ecological education and upbringing, recreation and tourism. There are numerous karst phenomena such as sinkholes and sinks of two streams, and six caves. The largest cave is called the Glavna bijambarska pećina (Central Bijambare Cave or simply Bijambare). This cave is 420 meters long and consists of four corridors, the last being the largest and called the “concert hall". In the Upper Bijambare cave, the remains of a cave man, a stone processing tool, and the remains of some animals were found. The Central Bijambare Cave is a special geological reserve, while the Upper Bijambare Cave is a paleontological monument of nature.
GASTRONOMIC OFFER
Sarajevo is a city that offers gastronomic specialties of both local and international cuisine in numerous catering facilities. The Bosnian cuisine is a mixture of Oriental, Mediterranean and Central European culinary traditions. Traditional Bosnian fast food restaurants are cafeteria-style aščinica, buregdžinica – traditional restaurants where pies are served, ćevabdžinica - traditional Bosnian fast food restaurant serving ćevapi – grilled minced meat fingers and other grilled specialties.
Sarajevo offers numerous opportunities for enjoying days and nights out. Cover bands perform in many clubs, whereas visitors to numerous restaurants have the opportunity to enjoy in traditional songs and sevdalinka performances.