Siege of Sarajevo War Tour, 4-Hour Guided European Playground of Death

Tour start point is the old town Sarajevo, after pick up we'll drive you throughout the city. First war spot is already in old town and that is the famous market place Markale. It was always famous for very good and fresh products, but unfortunately after the war it's famous because of two massacre. First massacre happened in 1994. (68 civilians killed and 144 wounded) and the second time in 1995. (43 civilians killed and 84 wounded). Market Markale is cities symbol how citizens refused the mental surrender and how they wanted to continue normal life even during the siege.

Sniper Alley is informal name for part of the street "Zmaja od Bosne" ("Dragon of Bosnia"). It used to be one of the most dangerous crossings in the city (1030 wounded and 225 people killed during three and half years of siege). So called "weekend soldiers" used to come to Sarajevo from Serbia, Russia, Greece and other countries and would shoot at the civilians from snipers, how they would say "for fun". One of examples was the famous Russian writer Eduard Limonov. Unfortunately Bosnian national monument, Jewish cemetery, was used by the regular soldiers and "weekend soldiers" to shot from the spot at the citizens. Just because it was on ideal geographical spot for the evil in their heads.

Famous chain of hotels was built in Sarajevo for winter Olympic games. Hotel "Holiday Inn", nowadays Hotel Holiday, is based almost on the sniper alley. It used to be the main hotel for foreign journalists that were reporting about war in Sarajevo. Journalists were placed in the basements of the hotel for safety. Before the war Radovan Karadžić (Bosnian Serb leader and life imprisonment) used to live in that hotel for some shorter period.

Next stop is Grbavica, an area that was occupied by the Bosnian Serb forces. Visit of the FC Željezničar stadium with explanation what was happening in that part of the city. Short walk in the neighborhood while "picturing" how people were killed, women raped while inhabitants hopped they would be among the lucky ones and only be robbed. Grbavica stadium, before Ukraine happened, was the only stadium in Europe that was mined and set on fire. There is true story of a little boy that escaped the front lines to get to the stadium. The boy said he replaced the Serbian flag with the Željos flag in the middle of the field. Boy claimed it was his most pasionate moment in life. Bosnian movie director Jasmila Žbanić made a movie that is explaining in very good way what was happening in Grbavica. "Grbavica" is a war drama that won the silver bear award in 2006. at Berlin film festival. Good reconciliation move is the fact that the main actress is a famous Serbian actor Mirjana Karanović.

Pofalići is neighborhood of Sarajevo that is literally in the middle of the valley/city. The plan of the Bosnian Serb forces was to cut the city in half at the bare start of the war. Because Bosnian Serb forces were already up hill surrounding the city the last move was to cut the city in two parts. If that move from the Bosnian Serb forces was successful city of Sarajevo wouldn't survive even few months. "Pofalići battle was crucial for further defense of the city".

Before arriving at the museum tourists will already drive 12 km through the city. The tour guide will explain each important spot where happened something significant for the siege. In the museum travelers will learn how the city was supplied during the siege and why the tunnel was the beating hearth for the citizens and soldiers. Tunnel museum is the best place where you can learn other details of the siege, like real footage how the city was bombed and short walk through the part of the tunnel that is preserved for tourists. There is also a realistic installation of a "siege" room where is an specially adapted furnace, expired humanitarian cans, "UNICEF" plastic window cover and other, cigarettes packed in newspaper, plastic cans for water, electric generators and many other.Two other rooms are showing how the Army of BiH was fighting in jeans and hand made guns against the fourth military force of Europe (JNA-Yugoslavian national army).

Mountain Trebević is famous nature area where citizens of Sarajevo escape for recreation and fresh air. During winter Olympic games in Sarajevo in 1984. Trebević mountain was an attraction for the best made bobsled track by that time in the world. Unfortunately the bobsled track was used by the Bosnian Serb forces as a trench to defend the bare pick of the mountain if the BH Army would try to overtake and free the territory. During the drive up the mountain, tourist will enjoy beautiful landscape and amazing view at the city based in the valley. As soon toursit start to climb the mountain they will realize why Trebević was an ideal spot to shell the city for 3,5 years.

Jewish cemetry is the last stop on the tour. It's the second biggest Jewish cemetery in Europe, after the one in Prag. The cemetery is also protected as the national monument of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Due to the acts of war the cemetery became a frontline, that is also the reason why is damaged. It's geographical spot provides an ultimate sniper nest and a perfect aim at the "Sniper alley" (street "Zmaja od Bosne"). So called "weekend soldiers" used to come to Sarajevo from Serbia, Russia, Greece and other countries and would shoot at the civilians from snipers, how they would say "for fun". One of examples was the famous Russian writer Eduard Limonov. Unfortunately Bosnian national monument, Jewish cemetery, was used by the regular soldiers and "weekend soldiers" to shot from the spot at the citizens. Just because it was on ideal geographical spot for the evil in their heads.