Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Another destination that I wanted to visit but didn’t expect to visit a year later. What I remember from my first visit was how much I wanted to come back so I could walk the ruins of the ‘84 Olympic bobsled, so that's what I did and yes, before you ask, I was very sore the next day. I’m in decent shape but you really don’t use the muscles that are required when trenching downhill. The old town is beautiful in a way that is a bit different than a typical old city. Yes, there are gorgeous buildings but they’re not abundant like other old towns. What sets Sarajevo off from other old towns are the surrounding mountains. Of course, those same mountains are where the invading soldiers tried to conquer the city during the war, but for now, the peace and serenity is breathtaking.

The first day was a beautiful 80° with sunny skies. The next day the temperature dropped 20° with cloudy skies. The rest of the week was too cool for me but the rain stayed away so that was a plus.

I purposely haven’t read my last review of this city because I wanted to write something from the perspective of someone who has traveled here before. I am including the link to my past review if you would like a get a different perspective.

https://joannereyes.travellerspoint.com/41/

White Fortress

This is what war is

Pigeon Square

Old Town

Animated chess game - they take this game to an all new level of anger and frustration - very fun to watch even if you can’t understand what they are saying - the gestures speak for themselves.

When you don’t know the directions, look for these helpful markings

Olympic Venues

Tunnel of Hope
From July 1993 until the end of the Siege in late February 1996, the tunnel was the only way in and out of the city of Sarajevo. Built under the Sarajevo Airport Runway, it was the only means of supplies for the citizens of the city. The entrances to the tunnel are below buildings. On the Dobrinja side, under an apartment building, and on the Butmir side underneath a private family home. It took more than six months to dig the tunnel and was done using pickaxes and shovels. The only source of light the workers had was provided by “war candles”, containers filled with cooking oil and fitted with a wick made from string.