We landed in Sarajevo Saturday at noon and it's been one non-stop stroll. Not just us but the whole city. Seems that the locals love to walk just about as much as they love to sit in cafes and drink strong Bosian coffee or tea or the local Sarajevska beer.
We are staying just a few meters from the Old Town strolling street Ferhadija, where East meets West and on almost any day the locals outnumber the tourists.
Yesterday, we made a Sunday excursion to Ilidza - riding the tram - where the locals head to walk, bike, run, rollerblade, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride 4 kms down a tree lined road to Vrlo Bosne, the headwaters of the Bosne River; and then back.
Today we walked 4 kms east from the Old Town to the Goat Bridge, an Ottoman era bridge. Not the weekend, but the few walkers and bikers are tireless.
The train ride from Mostar to Sarajevo is billed as spectacular. We rate it scenic.
Eating in Bosnia is now even easier as we've found ascinicas, cafeteria-style traditional Bosnia restaurants which serve traditional Bosnian food (cooked not grilled) where you can see what you are ordering and you can get a tasty "vegetarian plate" for about 4.50 USD.
And the potato burek at Buregdzinica Sac is the best potato dish I've had in a long time.
With Sarajevska beer.
I'm about ready to have my first ever cup of authentic Bosnian Coffee. Pour so the grounds stay at the bottom of the small copper kettle.
The Main Mosque.
Visitors are allowed between prayers.
And the Madrasah (Islamic school) across the street.
The Catholic Cathedral. Sarajevo is where East meets West so there are mosques, churches (Catholic and Orthooox), and synagogues.
Chess.
Strolling to Vrloe Bosne, the source of the Bonse River.
The springs.
A park in Ilidza.
Back to Ascinica Asdz for lunch. ;-)
Just before sunset we walked east and up to a viewpoint, passing a Muslim cemetery on the way.
Check out the minarets.
Sarajevo Roses, imprints from mortar shells filled with red resin, are reminders of the Bosnian War. This one is near our hotel.
Another reminder of the war is the monument at the Markale (Market) to the dead from the 1994 and 1995 bombings ( of the Markale). It's the red wall in the back.
Svrzo's House: An old Ottoman house that is now a museum.
Strolling to the Goat Bridge.
View of the Old Town from Alifakovak Cemetery.
We finally run into an Art Deco building - The National Bank.
And the Sarajevo Islamic Institute has early 20th century Modern lines.
The National and University Library is about ready to reopen.
And more Bosnian coffee.
We are staying just a few meters from the Old Town strolling street Ferhadija, where East meets West and on almost any day the locals outnumber the tourists.
Yesterday, we made a Sunday excursion to Ilidza - riding the tram - where the locals head to walk, bike, run, rollerblade, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride 4 kms down a tree lined road to Vrlo Bosne, the headwaters of the Bosne River; and then back.
Today we walked 4 kms east from the Old Town to the Goat Bridge, an Ottoman era bridge. Not the weekend, but the few walkers and bikers are tireless.
The train ride from Mostar to Sarajevo is billed as spectacular. We rate it scenic.
Eating in Bosnia is now even easier as we've found ascinicas, cafeteria-style traditional Bosnia restaurants which serve traditional Bosnian food (cooked not grilled) where you can see what you are ordering and you can get a tasty "vegetarian plate" for about 4.50 USD.
And the potato burek at Buregdzinica Sac is the best potato dish I've had in a long time.
With Sarajevska beer.
I'm about ready to have my first ever cup of authentic Bosnian Coffee. Pour so the grounds stay at the bottom of the small copper kettle.
The Main Mosque.
Visitors are allowed between prayers.
And the Madrasah (Islamic school) across the street.
The Catholic Cathedral. Sarajevo is where East meets West so there are mosques, churches (Catholic and Orthooox), and synagogues.
Chess.
Strolling to Vrloe Bosne, the source of the Bonse River.
The springs.
A park in Ilidza.
Back to Ascinica Asdz for lunch. ;-)
Just before sunset we walked east and up to a viewpoint, passing a Muslim cemetery on the way.
Check out the minarets.
Sarajevo Roses, imprints from mortar shells filled with red resin, are reminders of the Bosnian War. This one is near our hotel.
Another reminder of the war is the monument at the Markale (Market) to the dead from the 1994 and 1995 bombings ( of the Markale). It's the red wall in the back.
Svrzo's House: An old Ottoman house that is now a museum.
Strolling to the Goat Bridge.
View of the Old Town from Alifakovak Cemetery.
We finally run into an Art Deco building - The National Bank.
And the Sarajevo Islamic Institute has early 20th century Modern lines.
The National and University Library is about ready to reopen.
And more Bosnian coffee.
