The only way to escape the besieged city was to run across the runaway, fully exposed to Aggressors sniper positions. This unsustainable situation went on for months until BiH Army came up with the idea to excavate a tunnel underneath the airport runaway.
The tunnel excavation began in the courtyard and ground floor of the Kolar family home, and the construction was carried out from two sides – Dobrinja and Butmir. Despite the heavy shelling, ground water and various other problems, the tunnel was completed in four months (27 March – 30 July 1993). It was 800m long, 1m wide and its height was 1,60m. Inside, there were small rails and a small wagon for easier transportation of people and goods. Cables supplying the city with electricity were also installed in the tunnel, as well as telephone wires and pipelines for water and fuel. During the 1,264 days of siege, the tunnel was the only link between the city and the outside world and was essential for circulation of people, food, weapons and all other things necessary for survival of the city. Tiny and heavily damaged, the Kolar family home is now a fascinating museum, where you can see objects from the past, a documentary about the tunnel construction and its use and take a stroll through some parts of the tunnel.
Dobrinja neighborhood, where the tunnel is located, was completely cut-off from the city during the first few months of the war. The citizens of Dobrinja found themselves in “no man’s land” and with collective effort managed to open a war hospital, primary school, high school and build a tunnel – the only way out of the city.
Dobrinja neighborhood borders with Mojmilo, where the Olympic Village was built for the occasion of the XIV Olympic Games. After the Games, along with the Olympic facilities, Sarajevo was left with 2.850 newly built apartments, several new hotels and more than 9500 new jobs were open.
Neighborhoods of Sarajevo
Baščaršija
We will start with today’s bathing...
Alifakovac
The first major bridge after Bentbaša...
Vratnik
It is easy to get to Vratnik.
Bistrik
In the old days, Isa-begova ćuprija...
Drvenija
We will end our journey through...
Centar
We begin our journey through...
Džidžikovac
Above the Big Park there was...
Mejtaš
“Mejtaš is a square above the city” ...
Skenderija
There are two bridges, side by side...
Koševo
Across from the BBI Shopping Center...
Marijin Dvor
In 1899 August Braun, the owner of ...
Kampus
Next to Sarajevo’s business and...
Novo Sarajevo
Our journey through Novo Sarajevo...
Novi grad
Novi grad (New City) is both...
Ilidža
Our journey through the city of...
EVERYBODY LOVES SARAJEVO
Must see
Top Attractions
Bascarsija & Sebilj
Ottoman era begins in 1461 when the city was founded by the first Bosnian governor Ishak-beg Isaković (Ishak Bay Isaković), a pioneer in planned construction.
City Hall
The new government displays superiority with large buildings. Aleksandar Vitek and Ćiril Iveković work on the design for Vijećnica (City Hall)
Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque
Another permanent stamp was left by Gazi Husrev Beg (Gazi Husrev Bey), triple Bosnian Steward and Builder.In 1530, with his own money, he built the most monumental building of Islamic culture in B&H
Orthodox Church
As Orthodox grew in numbers, so did the need to build a new church. It took over a decade to build one and it was completed in the last years of the Ottoman rule in 1874.