SECRET Sarajevo

When people search for Sarajevo attractions, they often think of the old town, history, or film. But there is another story—one that reveals Sarajevo as a center of global industry and design. It is the story of ŠIPAD, a name that once stood among the most powerful in Europe. Today, this remarkable legacy can be discovered at Planet Sarajevo, one of the most unique museums in Sarajevo and a true hidden gem for visitors looking to understand the city beyond its well-known landmarks. ŠIPAD was never just a company—it was a complete industrial ecosystem. Built on the natural resources of…

Sarajevo has long been a city of film—a place where cinema is not only art, but a form of expression, memory, and identity. Decades before its recognition as a UNESCO City of Film, Sarajevo had already built a powerful cinematic tradition rooted in its people, history, and storytelling. For generations, film in Sarajevo has reflected the spirit of the city—its resilience, creativity, and ability to transform real events into powerful narratives. Among many important works, one film stands out as a true cultural phenomenon: Walter Defends Sarajevo, directed by Hajrudin Šiba Krvavac. The Most Watched Film in Yugoslavia Walter Defends…

Did you know that Sarajevo once became a global hub for comic books? Hidden within the city’s rich cultural history is the remarkable story of Strip Art—a publishing vision that placed Sarajevo at the center of the comic book world. The story begins in 1971, when a seventeen-year-old from Sarajevo, driven by passion for comics, reached out to some of the world’s greatest artists. That young visionary was Ervin Rustemagić. From Yugoslavia, he wrote letters asking for trust and opportunity. What followed was extraordinary—artists from around the world responded by sending original drawings, collections, and exclusive publishing rights. They recognized…

Did you know that Sarajevo is home to one of the most incredible urban legends in rock music history? A story of endurance, passion, and pure energy that helped define the city’s musical identity and place it firmly on the cultural map of the region. The New Year’s Eve That Made Music History On the night of 1969/70, in the newly opened Skenderija, the Sarajevo band Čičak achieved something extraordinary. Performing live for 26 continuous hours, they set a world record that captured the imagination of the entire city. The lineup—Paša, Gagi, Zoka, and Mića—played without interruption, while the audience…

Some of the most beautiful songs are born from the simplest moments. The story of ‘Selma’, one of the most iconic songs from the former Yugoslavia, began not with a grand romance, but with a quiet encounter on a train platform—one that would forever connect Sarajevo to music history. Who Was Selma? Selma Borić was a young woman from Zenica who attended the All Girls’ High School in Sarajevo. Like many students at the time, she would travel home by train on weekends, moving between two cities and two rhythms of life. On one such journey, she met the poet…

Imagine Sarajevo in the 1970s—a city that didn’t just follow global trends but actively created them. At a time when much of the world was only beginning to understand the potential of personal computers, Sarajevo was already developing its own. This is the story of how Energoinvest helped place the city on the global map of technological innovation. During the 1970s, engineers at Energoinvest took on an ambitious challenge: to understand, deconstruct, and rebuild computer technology. By studying systems like IBM, they began developing their own solutions—without relying on foreign licenses. The result was the IRIS PC, the first computer…

Did you know that Sarajevo has a deep and vibrant jazz tradition that dates back decades before the creation of modern festivals? Today, Jazz Fest Sarajevo is recognized as one of the most important music festivals in the region, but its roots lie in a much older story—one of rhythm, improvisation, and a city that has always embraced music as part of its identity. The Beginnings of Jazz in Sarajevo As early as the 1950s, while much of the world was still recovering from the aftermath of war, Sarajevo was already alive with music. Jazz could be heard across the…

Did you know that Sarajevo played a key role in the creation of the barcode? Long before the digital age transformed global commerce, this city was already part of a technological breakthrough that would change the way the world buys and sells. In 1975, the Sarajevo-based company UPI Sarajevo became part of a pioneering international project that laid the foundation for the barcode system as we know it today. This innovation introduced a faster, more efficient way to track products, transforming retail and logistics on a global scale. At the center of this story was Muhamed Ćatić, a visionary who…

On October 4th, MESS Festival Sarajevo officially opened its 65th edition, once again placing Sarajevo at the center of the international theatre scene. For decades, MESS has been one of the most important cultural events in Sarajevo, known for bringing avant-garde performances, experimental theatre, and global artistic voices to local audiences. A Festival That Shaped Theatre in Sarajevo The MESS Festival Sarajevo is more than just a theatre festival—it is a space where bold ideas, artistic freedom, and innovation meet. Throughout its history, the festival has hosted some of the most influential theatre companies in the world, including the legendary…

In the years following the Second World War, Sarajevo began shaping a new identity—one that moved beyond rigid socialist realism and embraced a unique blend of modernism, international influence, and deep respect for tradition. This transformation gave rise to the Sarajevo School of Architecture, also known as the Sarajevo Architectural Circle, placing the city among the most important architectural movements in Yugoslavia and beyond. The Rise of Modern Architecture in Sarajevo The foundations of modern architecture in Sarajevo were laid by the first generation of architects as early as the 1930s, who introduced avant-garde ideas and progressive design thinking. This…