WALK IN VRBANJUŠA

This walk goes through the old Bosnian neighborhood of Vrbanjuša, which looks like a village. Located on the heights, north of Sebilj Square, it was an important place of spirituality, around which the brotherhoods of dervishes were established from the 16th century. It is reached by following Sagrdžije Street, which first passes the Moorish building of the Faculty of Islamic Studies (left), the first work designed by architect Karel Pařík in Sarajevo, in 1887. After 400 m, one reaches the large stone Hadži-Sinan teke (1639), the main place of worship of the kaderi brotherhood in the country. It adjoins the Vrbanjuša cemetery where old Ottoman nişans and the graves of victims of the 1992-1996 siege are intermingled. To the north of the cemetery stands the elegant little Vrbanjuša Mosque (1528), which was rebuilt after the last war. The next step is to continue the ascent along Vrbanjuša Street for 350 meters. This street passes the Alpina factory (on the left). Established here in 1947, this company originally produced leather shoes, but today it is mostly known for its mountain sports equipment (shoes, goggles, masks, helmets...). We then reach the Budakovići mosque (1562) rebuilt in 1935. It also has an old cemetery whose white steles are spread on the hillside on both sides of the road. The road climbs another 300 m to reach the traditional Bosnian restaurant Kibe Mahala, which has a magnificent view of the city.