How long does it take to walk through Sarajevo's Old Town literary sites?

The walk typically takes 90 to 120 minutes. This includes time to browse the manuscripts at the Museum of Literature and admire the architecture of the National Library.

Is the National Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina open to the public?

Yes, the Vijećnica (National Library) is open for visitors. While it no longer houses the main university collection, you can tour the restored interior, which includes museum exhibits about the city's history and the library's destruction.

Where can I find books by Bosnian authors in English?

Buybook Bookstore on Radićeva street is the premier location for finding English translations of Bosnian literature. They stock works by Ivo Andrić, Aleksandar Hemon, and many contemporary writers.

Who is the most famous writer from Sarajevo?

While many famous writers lived here, Ivo Andrić is the most celebrated as a Nobel Prize winner. His work 'The Bridge on the Drina' is a seminal text for understanding Balkan history, and his archives are kept in Sarajevo.

Is the literary walking route in Sarajevo accessible?

The route is mostly flat and manageable for those with limited mobility. However, some historic buildings like the Despić House have stairs, and the Old Town has uneven cobblestone streets.

What is the significance of Mak Dizdar in Sarajevo?

Mak Dizdar is a national poet whose work 'Stone Sleeper' redefined Bosnian identity by connecting modern poetry to medieval tombstones (stećci). His foundation in Sarajevo promotes this cultural link.

Can I see the Sarajevo Haggadah on this walk?

The actual Sarajevo Haggadah is kept at the National Museum of BiH, which is a further 20-minute walk from the end of this route. However, the Museum of Literature (Stop 1) provides excellent context on the city's Jewish literary history.

Literary Sarajevo: From Nobel Prize to Poetry | Self-Guided Walking Tour

About This Guided Walking Tour

Sarajevo is a city where every stone tells a story, but its literary heritage is particularly profound. On this self-guided walk, you will explore the intellectual soul of the 'Jerusalem of Europe,' tracing the footsteps of Nobel laureates, revolutionary poets, and the resilient writers who kept the city’s spirit alive during its darkest hours. The route takes you through the heart of the Old Town, where Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and modern Bosnian influences converge to create a unique literary landscape. Your self-guided adventure begins at the Museum of Literature and Performing Arts, a hidden gem tucked away in a 19th-century house. Here, the manuscripts of Ivo Andrić and Meša Selimović offer a glimpse into the minds of the Balkans' greatest writers. As you wander through the cobbled streets, you will visit the Despić House, where the city’s first theater performances were held, and the iconic Hotel Europe, a historic meeting point for the city’s intelligentsia. No walking route through Sarajevo’s history would be complete without witnessing the majesty of the National and University Library of BiH (Vijećnica). Once a symbol of global culture, its destruction and subsequent rebirth serve as a powerful testament to the city's endurance. The walk then shifts toward the contemporary, leading you to Buybook, the heart of Sarajevo’s modern literary scene, and concluding at the Mak Dizdar Foundation. Through the lens of poetry and prose, this walking tour Sarajevo offers a deeper understanding of the Bosnian identity. Whether you are a fan of classical literature or modern narratives, this neighborhood stroll provides the context needed to appreciate Sarajevo's complex history. Explore independently and at your own pace, stopping to soak in the atmosphere of the cafes where writers once debated the future of the world. This travel experience is designed for those who want to see beyond the surface of the city and engage with its creative legacy.

Tour Highlights & Things to See

Original manuscripts of Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić
The stunning neo-Moorish architecture of the National Library (Vijećnica)
The historic 'Bečka Kafana' at Hotel Europe
The birthplace of Sarajevo’s theater at Despić House
The legacy of Mak Dizdar, Bosnia’s most celebrated poet
A visit to Buybook, the center of contemporary Bosnian literature

Route Map

Numbers indicate the order of stops on the tour.

Tour Stops & Points of Interest (6)

1

Museum of Literature and Performing Arts

Start exploring with Zigway at this quiet sanctuary of Bosnian culture. Housed in a traditional 19th-century residence with a beautiful inner courtyard, this museum preserves the personal effects and manuscripts of the region’s literary giants. The primary highlights are the collections of Ivo Andrić, the only Yugoslav to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, and Meša Selimović, author of 'Death and the Dervish.' As you walk through the rooms, you will see how these writers navigated the complex cultural identity of Bosnia. The museum also honors the 'Sarajevo Haggadah' through its historical context and houses a wealth of theatrical history, illustrating how performance and prose have always been intertwined in the city’s social fabric.

2

Despić House

A short walk brings you to this branch of the Sarajevo Museum. The Despić House belonged to a wealthy Orthodox merchant family and is a rare example of how the upper class lived during the Ottoman era. For literary enthusiasts, its significance lies in the first-floor salon, which hosted the very first organized theater performances in Sarajevo. Long before the city had a dedicated national theater, these private readings and plays laid the groundwork for the city’s vibrant performing arts scene. The house itself, with its thick stone walls and ornate wooden ceilings, feels like a setting straight out of a 19th-century Bosnian novel, offering a tangible connection to the domestic life of the city's historical elite.

3

Hotel Europe (Bečka Kafana)

As you continue your walking route, stop at the legendary Hotel Europe. Built in 1882, it was the first modern hotel in Sarajevo and served as a bridge between the Ottoman East and the Austro-Hungarian West. Its 'Bečka Kafana' (Viennese Cafe) became the epicenter of intellectual life. Writers, journalists, and politicians gathered here to debate philosophy over coffee and Sacher torte. During the Austro-Hungarian period, this was the place to see and be seen. Imagine the atmosphere of the early 20th century, where the air was thick with tobacco smoke and revolutionary ideas. It remains a symbol of Sarajevo’s cosmopolitan spirit and a perfect spot to pause and reflect on the city's literary evolution.

4

National and University Library of BiH (Vijećnica)

The Vijećnica is perhaps the most iconic building in Sarajevo. Originally built as the City Hall in a stunning neo-Moorish style, it later became the National Library. In August 1992, during the Siege of Sarajevo, the building was shelled and set ablaze, resulting in the loss of nearly two million books and irreplaceable manuscripts. The image of the burning library became a global symbol of 'urbicide' and the attempt to erase a people’s memory. Today, the building has been meticulously restored to its former glory. Inside, the stained-glass ceiling and grand hexagonal hall serve as a monument to the resilience of knowledge and the enduring power of the written word in Bosnian culture.

5

Buybook Bookstore

Transitioning to the modern era, head toward Radićeva street to find Buybook. Founded in 1996, just after the war, this bookstore and publishing house is the beating heart of contemporary Bosnian literature. It is more than just a shop; it is a cultural hub that hosts the 'Bookstan' international literary festival. Here, you can find translations of major Bosnian authors like Aleksandar Hemon, Semezdin Mehmedinović, and Lana Bastašić. The bookstore represents the 'Post-War' generation of writers who have gained international acclaim for their honest and harrowing accounts of the 1990s, as well as their explorations of exile, identity, and the modern Balkan experience. It is the best place to pick up a souvenir that truly captures the city's voice.

6

Mak Dizdar Foundation

Your self-guided adventure concludes at the foundation dedicated to Mak Dizdar, one of the most influential poets in Bosnian history. Dizdar’s masterpiece, 'Stone Sleeper' (Kameni spavač), was inspired by the 'stećci'—medieval tombstones found across the Bosnian landscape. His poetry bridged the gap between the medieval past and the modern search for identity, using archaic language to explore universal themes of life, death, and the soul. The foundation works to preserve his legacy and promote the study of Bosnian heritage. Standing here, you are near the modern center of the city, surrounded by the echoes of a poetic tradition that has survived empires and conflicts alike, proving that Sarajevo’s greatest strength lies in its stories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The 'Literary Sarajevo' route is the best choice for book lovers. This self-guided walk covers approximately 1.5 kilometers and connects the Museum of Literature with the iconic Vijećnica library and modern hubs like Buybook.