Old Town Sarajevo: Where History Breathes

• HelloZdravo
  [Zdrah-voh]
• GoodbyeDoviđenja
  [Doh-vee-jen-ya]
• YesDa
  [Dah]
• NoNe
  [Neh]
• Please/You're welcomeMolim
  [Moh-leem]
• Thank youHvala
  [Hvah-lah]
• Excuse me/SorryIzvinite
  [Eez-vee-nee-teh]
• How are you?Kako si?
  [Kah-koh see]
• Fine. And you?Dobro. A ti?
  [Doh-bro. Ah tee]
• Do you speak English?Govoriš li engleski?
  [Go-vor-eesh lee eng-les-kee]
• I don't understandNe razumijem
  [Neh rah-zoo-mee-yem]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMolim vas, želim vidjeti meni
  [Moh-leem vahs, zheh-leem veed-yeh-tee meh-nee]
• I don't eat meatJa ne jedem meso
  [Yah neh yeh-dem meh-so]
• Cheers!Živjeli!
  [Zhee-vyeh-lee]
• I would like to pay, pleaseMolim vas, želim platiti
  [Moh-leem vahs, zheh-leem plah-tee-tee]

• Help!Upomoć!
  [Oo-poh-mohch]
• Go away!Idi odavde!
  [Ee-dee oh-dahv-deh]
• Call the Police!Pozovite policiju!
  [Poh-zoh-vee-teh poh-lee-tsee-yoo]
• Call a doctor!Pozovite doktora!
  [Poh-zoh-vee-teh dohk-toh-rah]
• I'm lostIzgubio/la sam se
  [Eez-goo-byo/la sahm seh]
• I'm illBolestan/sna sam
  [Boh-les-tahn/snah sahm]

• I'd like to buy...Želim kupiti...
  [Zheh-leem koo-pee-tee]
• I'm just lookingSamo gledam
  [Sah-moh gleh-dahm]
• How much is it?Koliko košta?
  [Koh-lee-koh koh-stah]
• That's too expensiveTo je previše skupo
  [Toh yeh preh-vee-she skoo-poh]
• Can you lower the price?Možete li spustiti cijenu?
  [Moh-zheh-teh lee spoos-tee-tee tsee-yeh-noo]

• What time is it?Koliko je sati?
  [Koh-lee-koh yeh sah-tee]
• It's one o'clockJedan je sat
  [Yeh-dahn yeh saht]
• Half past (10)Pola (deset)
  [Poh-lah (deh-set)]
• MorningJutro
  [Yoo-troh]
• AfternoonPopodne
  [Poh-pohd-neh]
• EveningVeče
  [Veh-cheh]
• YesterdayJuče
  [Yoo-cheh]
• TodayDanas
  [Dah-nahs]
• TomorrowSutra
  [Soo-trah]
• 1Jedan
  [Yeh-dahn]
• 2Dva
  [Dvah]
• 3Tri
  [Tree]
• 4Četiri
  [Cheh-tee-ree]
• 5Pet
  [Peht]
• 6Šest
  [Shehst]
• 7Sedam
  [Seh-dahm]
• 8Osam
  [Oh-sahm]
• 9Devet
  [Deh-vet]
• 10Deset
  [Deh-set]

• Where's a/the...?Gdje je...?
  [Gdyeh yeh]
• What's the address?Koja je adresa?
  [Koh-yah yeh ah-dre-sah]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Možete li mi pokazati (na mapi)?
  [Moh-zheh-teh lee mee poh-kah-zah-tee (nah mah-pee)]
• When's the next (bus)?Kada je sljedeći (autobus)?
  [Kah-dah yeh sleh-deh-chee (ow-toh-boos)]
• A ticket (to ....)Jednu kartu (za ....)
  [Yehd-noo kar-too (zah)]

The history of Old Town Sarajevo is deeply intertwined with the Ottoman Empire's conquest of the region in the 15th century. Founded as a small military outpost, Sarajevo quickly transformed into a vibrant urban center. The Ottoman influence is evident in the architecture, with mosques, bazaars, and bridges reflecting the Islamic aesthetic. The Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, built in 1531, remains a prime example of Ottoman architecture and serves as a focal point for the community.

In the late 19th century, Sarajevo came under Austro-Hungarian rule, leading to significant changes in its urban landscape and social structure. The introduction of modern infrastructure, such as tramways and a new sewer system, modernized the city. This period also saw a blending of cultures, as Austro-Hungarian influences merged with the existing Ottoman heritage, giving rise to a unique architectural style that can still be observed in the Old Town.

A pivotal moment in both Sarajevo's and world history occurred on June 28, 1914, when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in the streets of Old Town. This event triggered a series of political tensions that ultimately led to World War I. The site of the assassination is now marked and serves as a reminder of the city's complex historical narrative, illustrating how local events can have far-reaching global consequences.

The 1990s brought turmoil to Sarajevo during the Bosnian War, with the Old Town suffering extensive damage. The siege of Sarajevo lasted for nearly four years, resulting in heavy casualties and the destruction of many historical sites. Despite this, the resilience of the local population shone through as efforts to rebuild and restore the city began shortly after the war. Today, Old Town Sarajevo stands as a testament to the city's enduring spirit and cultural heritage.

In the 21st century, Old Town Sarajevo has experienced a revival as a cultural and tourist hub. Efforts to restore historic buildings, such as the Sarajevo City Hall and the numerous mosques and churches, have been undertaken to preserve the rich tapestry of the city's past. Cultural festivals, art exhibitions, and culinary events celebrate the diverse heritage of Sarajevo, attracting visitors from around the world and fostering a renewed sense of community pride.

Old Town Sarajevo is easily accessible from various neighborhoods in Sarajevo. From Baščaršija, the heart of Old Town, you can walk to nearby attractions. For those coming from the airport, taxis are the most convenient option, taking about 20 minutes to reach the Old Town. Public transport, including trams and buses, connects various neighborhoods, with tram line 3 running from the city center to close to Old Town.

Old Town Sarajevo is best explored on foot due to its narrow, winding streets. Public transportation within the area is limited, but trams and buses operate in nearby neighborhoods. Bicycles can be rented from local shops, but be cautious on the cobblestone streets. Taxis are available, but walking allows for a more immersive experience of the history and culture.

Old Town Sarajevo is generally safe for tourists, but standard precautions should be taken. Avoid poorly lit areas at night, especially around the outskirts of the Old Town. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, can occur in crowded areas, so keep an eye on your belongings. Areas near the railway station may have higher crime rates; exercise caution there.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for police assistance and 124 for medical emergencies. Familiarize yourself with the locations of the nearest hospitals. The University Clinical Center Sarajevo is the largest medical facility in the area. Ensure you have travel insurance that covers emergencies and know where your embassy is located for assistance.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, particularly when visiting religious sites such as Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. Avoid overly revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs, especially during prayer times. Public Transport: Do offer your seat to elderly passengers and be polite. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet locals with a friendly 'Dobar dan' (Good day). Eating & Drinking: Do try local specialties like ćevapi, and don't refuse food offered by locals, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Old Town Sarajevo like a local, visit the local bazaars and artisan shops, where you can find handmade crafts and traditional Bosnian coffee. Engage with local vendors, and don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations. Take part in a coffee ceremony, which is a significant cultural practice. Explore the less touristy streets to discover hidden gems like small galleries and local eateries that serve authentic Bosnian dishes.