SECRET Sarajevo

One of Sarajevo’s best-kept secrets is that the city was thinking about sustainability decades before environmental protection became a global priority. While the world today focuses on climate action, cleaner energy, and sustainable urban development, Sarajevo was already transforming itself through one of the most ambitious environmental projects in Southeast Europe. It is a remarkable story that few visitors discover, yet it helped shape the modern city that millions know today. Before Sustainability Became a Global Trend, Sarajevo Was Already Living It During the 1970s, Sarajevo faced serious environmental challenges. The city struggled with outdated infrastructure, polluted air, an increasingly…

When people think of Sarajevo and film, they usually think of the Sarajevo Film Festival. Every summer, the city welcomes filmmakers and visitors from around the world. But Sarajevo’s love affair with cinema began long before the first red carpet. For more than seventy years, this city has been creating films that won the world’s biggest awards, challenged conventions, and reached audiences far beyond Bosnia and Herzegovina. A Film Tradition Older Than Most People Realize One of the greatest examples is Walter Defends Sarajevo. Released in 1972, the film became a global cultural phenomenon. Its greatest success came in China,…

Most visitors come to Sarajevo to explore Baščaršija, admire the Eternal Flame, ride the Trebević cable car or discover the city’s rich history. Yet one of Sarajevo’s most fascinating traditions was never marked on a tourist map. It wasn’t a monument or a museum. It was something every local simply knew. If you’re looking for hidden gems in Sarajevo and want to experience the city beyond the usual attractions, the story of Sarajevo’s čeke is the perfect place to start. Sarajevo’s Secret Čeke: The Hidden Story You Won’t Find on Google Maps Long before smartphones, Google Maps and the Send…

Football in Bosnia and Herzegovina has a long tradition of success. Long before today’s generation filled stadiums and celebrated unforgettable victories, clubs from Sarajevo were already writing remarkable chapters in European football history. These stories are part of the city’s cultural identity and remain an important part of the experience at Planet Sarajevo, the city’s multimedia museum of stories. FK Željezničar – A Club That Believed It Could Challenge Europe Founded by railway workers in 1921, FK Željezničar became one of the most beloved football clubs in the former Yugoslavia. The club won the Yugoslav First League title in the…

Many people know that Sarajevo hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics. But far fewer people know that some of the world’s most famous contemporary artists were connected to Olympic Sarajevo — including Andy Warhol. Today, this fascinating story is part of the experience at Planet Sarajevo, an immersive museum dedicated to the cultural, artistic and historical legacy of Sarajevo. Sarajevo 1984: More Than Just the Winter Olympics The 1984 Winter Olympics transformed Sarajevo into one of the most important cities in the world during that period. For the first time, the Olympic Games came to a socialist country in Southeast Europe,…

When people think about Sarajevo, they often think of the 1984 Winter Olympics, rich cultural heritage, East and West meeting in one city, or the unforgettable atmosphere of the old town. But few visitors know that one of the greatest artists in modern history — Pablo Picasso — is also connected to the story of Sarajevo and former Yugoslav cinema. Today, this incredible connection is part of the experience at Planet Sarajevo, one of the most unique museums in Sarajevo and a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in the cultural history of the city. The Film That Connected Sarajevo to…

Sarajevo is widely recognised for its cultural diversity, artistic heritage, and historical significance. Yet beyond its well-known narratives lies a series of lesser-known stories that reveal the depth of its creative spirit. Among them is the extraordinary account of a man known as Džirlo — a figure whose endurance performance in 1969 became one of the most unusual cultural records in the former Yugoslavia. This story, often referred to as the Džirlo phenomenon, reflects not only an individual achievement, but also the unique relationship between Sarajevo and artistic expression. A Record Built on Poetry and Endurance In May 1969, in…

Sarajevo has always been a city of stories—but few are as powerful, and as overlooked, as the story of its television. Long before today’s global media landscape, Television Sarajevo set standards that placed it not only at the top of the Yugoslav media system, but among the most respected broadcasters in Europe. A Television That Defined Excellence From its beginnings in the early 1960s, Television Sarajevo was built on a clear vision: not to be the biggest, but to be the best. Through innovation, strong editorial independence, and collaboration with leading artists, it developed a distinctive television language that shaped…

Secret Sarajevo reveals hidden gems, untold stories, and unique things to do in Sarajevo through the immersive experience of Planet Sarajevo. While the 1984 Winter Olympics are remembered for sport, atmosphere, and the spirit of the city, Sarajevo also impressed the world with something less visible—but equally powerful: science and innovation. A Scientific Breakthrough Behind the Olympic Games By 1984, the Olympic movement had already hosted numerous Games, yet there were only 11 accredited anti-doping laboratories in the world. Many host cities had to send samples abroad for testing. Sarajevo, however, chose a different path—one that would place it among…

In Sarajevo, football has never been just a game. It is a defining part of the city’s identity, shaped by one of the most intense and enduring rivalries in the region—between FK Željezničar and FK Sarajevo. This rivalry goes far beyond the pitch, deeply rooted in neighbourhoods, family traditions, and collective memory. The first official Sarajevo derby was played in 1954, marking the start of a story that continues to define the city’s sporting culture. From that moment, stadiums like Grbavica Stadium and Koševo Stadium became more than places for matches—they became symbols of identity. Blue and burgundy were no…