Bascarsija, Sarajevo

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Bascarsija is an old Sarajevan market-place,
historical and cultural centre of Sarajevo city.
Bascarsija was built in 15th century, when
Isa-bey Ishakovic had founded entire city.
Word Bascarsija is derived from Turkish word
„baš“ which means „main“, thus the whole word
„Bašèaršija“ means „main market-place“.
Bascarsija is twice smaller than it used to be,
because of the fire in 19th century. Communist
authorities wanted to destroy it completely in
1940's, but fortunately, they gave up from that
plan. Bascarsija is located on north Miljacka
riverside, Old Town municipality.There are several
important historical objects in Bascarsija, such as
Gazi Husref-bey's mosque and Tower Clock.

Gazi Husref-bey built his mosque in 1530. He also
built in the Bascarsija Madrasah (Moslem religious
secondary school), library, hammam (Turkish bath),
Bezistan (domed market building), Morica Han
(inn), Tower Clock and many other objects.Gazi
Husref-bey is buried in the harem of his mosque,
and beside him is a domed burial site of his freed
slave and the first mutevelija (mosque
superintendent) of his endowment Murat-bey
Tardic. Bascarsija was the strongest in the second
half of 16th century. There were 80 different crafts,
organized in craft-guilds. Bascarsija was organized
in the crafts, so shops of one or more similar crafts
would have been settled in each street (e.g. Kovaci
Street, Kazandziluk Street, Saraci Street, etc.)


A range of trade objects were constructed in this period (bezistan, hostelries, resting places for caravans – karavansaraji and many other).
Sarajevo was important trade centre in Balkan with three bezistans (Gazi Husref-bey's Bezistan and Bursa Bezistan exist today). There were Venetian
and Ragusan colonies in Sarajevo. Around 12,000 trade shops were settled in Bascarsija in that period, but 17th century was not so good for
Sarajevo and Bascarsija. Sarajevo was struck by earthquake in 1640 year and affected by fire several times in 1644 and 1656.
However, famous travel writer Evlija Celebija wrote in 1660: „Carsija has a thousand and eighty shops, which are paragons of beauty. Carsija itself
is very attractive and built according to a plan.“Unfortunately, Eugene of Savoy broke in Sarajevo in 1697, fired and devastated entire city. Only
several buildings remained. Region of Sarajevo city did not develop too much up to 19th century. During Austria-Hungary occupation in 1878, many
foreign architects wanted to transform Sarajevo in a modern European city. The fire, which devastated entire old town except the part that still exists,
helped them a lot. Well-known border between Bascarsija and Ferhadija Street emerged in this way.

After liberation of Sarajevo in 1945 year, new city people's board made decision for devastation of carsija with an explanation that old trades centre
does not have a role in the modern city. Bascarsija however succeeded to survive and its modern role in the city became a standard in 1970.

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Baščaršija (Turkish: Başçarşı) is considered to be the main street of Sarajevo and one of its most important landmarks. It is located in the old town part of Sarajevo, designed in the Ottoman-Turkish style and loaded with souvenir shops and public fountains. It contains a bazaar that sells all kinds of metalwork, jewellery and pottery. Each street is dedicated to a different craft. It is built in the 16th century.

The word Baščaršija derives from Turkish language. The word "baš" which is "baş" in Turkish means "primary", "main", "capital" and "čaršija" which is "çarşı" in Turkish means "bazaar" or "market".

One of the most interesting aspects of the centre of Sarajevo is as you walk down Ferhadija one moment you are surrounded by European (Austro-Hungarian) architecture the next you have stepped into the bascarsija with its Turkish influence. You can shop, drink, visit one of the beautiful mosques or just wander around. There are lots of copper shops where you can see the craftsmen at work.

The most important thing is to relax this is a very relaxed place where you can get a real feel of the heart beat of this amazing city

Bascarsija is very heart of Sarajevo, an district in turkish style with small souvenier-shops, imbisses, mosques, old small houses and streets. This is the place to visit in Sarajevo.
First take a walk through Bascarsija, all the way to Sebilj - a large place with many pigeons.
You will pass by the Begova mosque - the most famous and one of the nicest in Bosnia - example of islamic architecture, you can visit and entry it.
After you walk and look in the many souvernier shops then go eat Cevapcici - the most famous bosnian food.

Also interessting is Sarajevo during the SFF - Sarajevo Film Festival, already an serious occation in the world of film.

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The old oriental quarter of Sarajevo is called Bašcaršija. It's the city's main attraction and I found it absolutely wonderful to walk around here. There's one big main square full of cafes, pigeons and Cevabdcinicas as well as many small lanes full of little shops, cafes and mosques. There's a smoky atmosphere here, the smoke is coming from the grills of the Cevabdcinicas, from the chimneys and from the people who ALL seem to smoke here.
A fantastic area!

All lanes have a different topic, there's one full of jewellry, one full of carpets etc etc. I think you can easily spend a day here when you look into every shop there is. I found a handmade Vucko in one of the shops, a T-Shirt in another one. And I found a carpet I would have loved to take home, too. Unfortunately it was a big too expensive! I wish we would have had more time here to give all the shops a closer look and to buy some more nice souvenirs.

The Bascarsija is the old Turkish part of Sarajevo with old Turkish styles shops. Built in the 16th century, the area was once the town's market place. The streets are named after the products that were once sold there (such as gold street and woolen street).
Contains numerous hotels and tourist attractions including the Gazi Husrev-beg's Mosque, Tzar's Mosque, and the Sarajevo Cathedral.

According to the leggend who ever drinks the water from this fountain will return to the city.
Aldough Bascarsija dates from 16th c., the fountaun (sebilj) was built 1891.
I must admit I haven't drink the water, but I didn't know for the legend at the time.

Bascarsija is located in the old town part of Sarajevo. The central (Bascarsija) market of Sarajevo was twice the site of carnage, massacres by mortar fire. Now the market is filled with life as all varieties of vegetables, fruit, and other goods are available. The people were embracing, and eager to talk of politics (not a wise thing to do) and food. In the market you'll meet and chat with the local, and perhaps buy an item or two.

Bascarsija, the old Turkish quarter of Sarajevo, is like a miniature Constantinople. There is a cobbled town square, sixteenth century mosque, synagogue and church and a maze of narrow streets and alleyways, not far from the spot where Archduke Ferdinand and his wife, Sofia, were assassinated.

Stop to eat cevapcici - lamb kebab rolls with chopped onion, in spongy somun bread - in one of the traditonal Bosnian restaurants.

Bascarsija was a sightseeing mecca. A culturally diverse community, it boasted of excellent shopping, markets full of energy, and cafes with delicious local cuisine.

Bascarsija was heavily damaged during the war, but is now undergoing revitalization.