Sarajevo City Hall

Sarajevo City Hall is not just a building; it is a symbol of Sarajevo, its past, strength, and continuous renewal. Situated on the banks of the Miljacka River, with its distinctive architectural style and rich history, it has attracted attention and captivated visitors for over a century.

Throughout its existence, the City Hall has witnessed the city's most important moments, from the time it served as the city administration, through its period as the National and University Library, to its rebirth as one of the most significant cultural spaces in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

From Commercial Center to Treasury of the Past

The City Hall was ceremonially opened on April 20, 1896, and was used for administrative purposes. After World War II, it was made available to the National Library and remained in that function until the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On the night of August 25-26, 1992, it was hit by incendiary artillery shells. The fire irrevocably destroyed the City Hall, along with the enormous library collection of the National and University Library, comprising about 2 million items. The renovation of the City Hall began in 1996 and lasted until 2014, with the complete reconstruction carried out according to original documentation. The reconstructed City Hall was ceremonially opened on May 9, 2014, on Europe Day and Victory over Fascism Day. Today, it is used for ceremonial occasions at the state and city levels, for promoting cultural, artistic, and economic events, alongside permanent and temporary museum exhibitions, regular sessions of the City Council, and it seems that the diversity of its use is greater than ever before.

Today, in 2026, as it celebrates a great jubilee, 130 years of existence, the City Hall opens its doors to all who wish to experience the spirit of Sarajevo, to get acquainted with the city's culture, history, and identity. Through exhibitions, cultural events, and its enchanting architectural appearance, a visit to the City Hall becomes a memorable experience.

130 years of tradition:

April 20, 1896

The construction of the building began in 1892 and was completed in 1894, i.e., during the project's development. The building was officially opened on April 20, 1896, when Baron Ivan Apel formally handed over the building to the City Council for use.
Alexandar Wittek

Since the project was designed in a pseudo-Moorish style, he went to Cairo twice to study objects made in this style. His model was the Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan in Cairo. As he (allegedly precisely because of this project) became mentally ill and committed suicide, Ćiril M. Iveković continued work on the project. With minor modifications to Wittek's solution, the project was completed in 1894.
National Library

The administrative function of the City Hall gradually shifted towards the cultural heritage and scientific aspirations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, so that in 1947, administration was replaced by culture, science, and art, and the City Hall was put into service as the Academy of Sciences and Arts, and as the main library. The National Library was moved into the City Hall building in 1951.
War suffering

In just one night, on August 25/26, 1992, the City Hall building was hit and set on fire by aggressor shells. On that occasion, the building was destroyed, and about two million books, articles, and magazines were burned and irretrievably lost.