History of Sarajevo in Timeline

Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, situated within the greater Sarajevo valley, surrounded by the Dinaric Alps along the Miljacka River. Its administrative limits contain a population of 275,524, while the Sarajevo Canton, which includes the city and nearby municipalities, has 413,593 residents. Sarajevo is located in the heart of the Balkans, a region of Southeastern Europe.

1908: Ottoman Empire De Jure

In 1908 the Ottoman Empire had de jure power.

1908: Annexation by Austria-Hungary

In 1908, Austria-Hungary completed the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, angering the Serbs.

1908: Formal annexation of Bosnia

In 1908, the territory of Bosnia was formally annexed and turned into a condominium jointly controlled by Austrian Cisleithania and Hungarian Transleithania.

1909: Religious composition of Sarajevo

By 1909, about 50% of the city's inhabitants were Muslim, 25% were Catholic, 15% were Orthodox, and 10% were Jewish.

June 1914: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

On 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie were assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, triggering World War I. This was followed by the Anti-Serb riots in Sarajevo.

1914: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Young Bosnia activist. This event sparked World War I and led to the end of Austro-Hungarian rule in Bosnia.

1921: Establishment of the Sarajevo National Theatre

In 1921, the Sarajevo National Theatre was established.

1930: Regular flights to Sarajevo began

In 1930, Aeroput, a domestic airliner, opened a regular route linking Belgrade to Podgorica through Sarajevo.

1936: HPD "Bjelašnica" mountaineering chapter details

In 1936, the local chapter of the HPS is HPD "Bjelašnica", which had 216 members under the Josip Fleger presidency. At the time, it had a ski section.

1937: HPD "Bjelašnica" mountaineering chapter details

In 1937, the HPD "Bjelašnica" mountaineering chapter had 234 members, and Ante Martinović was elected its president.

1938: First international flights introduced

In 1938, Aeroput introduced the first international flights extending the route Dubrovnik – Sarajevo – Zagreb to Vienna, Brno and Prague.

1938: HPD "Bjelašnica" mountaineering chapter details

In 1938, the HPD "Bjelašnica" mountaineering chapter had 230 members, with Josip Fleger again president.

April 1941: Capture of Sarajevo

On 15 April 1941, Sarajevo was captured by the 16th Motorized Infantry Division of the German army during World War II.

August 1941: Ustaše arrest Serbs

In August 1941, Ustaše militia arrested about one hundred Serbs suspected of ties to resistance armies in Sarajevo, executing them or deporting them to concentration camps.

October 1941: Resolution of Sarajevo Muslims

On 12 October 1941, 108 notable Bosniak citizens of Sarajevo signed the Resolution of Sarajevo Muslims, condemning the genocide of Serbs organized by the Ustaše and requesting security for all citizens.

January 1942: Lowest recorded temperature in Sarajevo

In January 1942, Sarajevo recorded its lowest temperature of −26.2 °C (−15.2 °F).

1942: Serbs find refuge in Sarajevo

By mid-summer 1942, around 20,000 Serbs found refuge in Sarajevo from Ustaše terror.

1943: Allied Bombing

From 1943 to 1944, the city was bombed by the Allies.

1943: Oslobođenje newspaper founded

Oslobođenje (Liberation), Sarajevo's longest-running newspaper, was founded in 1943.

1943: ZAVNOBIH First Meeting

The Vraca Memorial Park, a monument for victims of World War II, was dedicated on 25 November, the "Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina" when the ZAVNOBIH held their first meeting in 1943.

1944: Allied Bombing

From 1943 to 1944, the city was bombed by the Allies.

April 1945: Liberation of Sarajevo

On 6 April 1945, Vladimir Perić Valter died while leading the liberation of Sarajevo.

May 1945: Ustaše headquarters

In the period February–May 1945, Maks Luburić set up a Ustaše headquarters in a building known as Villa Luburić and used it as a torture and execution place whose 323 victims were identified after the war.

1945: Creation of public television station

The Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT) was created in 1945 under the umbrella of the Yugoslav Radio Television (JRT).

August 1946: Highest recorded temperature in Sarajevo

In August 1946, Sarajevo recorded a temperature of 40.7 °C (105 °F), which was the highest recorded temperature at the time.

1949: Completion of railway station building

The ceremonial completion of the new functionalist Sarajevo railway station building took place in 1949.

1960: Tram system upgrade

In 1960, the tram system in Sarajevo was upgraded to 1,435 mm standard gauge.

1961: Beginnings of the Sarajevo school of pop rock

In 1961, the Sarajevo school of pop rock began developing in the city with bands like Indexi and Kodeksi.

1961: First television program aired

Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT) had its first television program aired in 1961.

1966: Construction of new airport began

The construction of the new Sarajevo Airport began in 1966 at its present location.

1967: Electrification of railway station

The Sarajevo railway station was electrified in 1967, as part of the early electrification program introduced in Bosnia.

June 1969: Sarajevo Airport opened

Sarajevo Airport opened on 2 June 1969 for domestic traffic.

1969: Continuous programming started

Continuous programming started on Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT) in 1969.

1969: Airfield in Butmir remained in use

The airfield in Butmir remained in use until 1969.

1969: Early electrification program

The electrification program introduced in Bosnia until 1969.

1970: First international destination served

In 1970, Frankfurt became the first international destination served from Sarajevo Airport.

1979: KK Bosna wins the European Championship

In 1979, the basketball club KK Bosna won the European Championship.

1981: Sarajevo's GDP per capita

In 1981, Sarajevo's GDP per capita was 133% of the Yugoslav average.

1984: Sarajevo hosts the Olympics

In 1984, Sarajevo hosted the Olympics.

1984: 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo

In 1984, Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics, leading to a tourism boom and one of the city's most prosperous decades.

1984: Sarajevo hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics

In 1984, Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics, marking a prosperous period for the city.

1984: Winter Olympics venues constructed

In 1984, venues were constructed in the mountains around Sarajevo for the Winter Olympics events.

1984: Sports-related tourism

Sarajevo's sports-related tourism in 1984 uses the legacy facilities of the Winter Olympics, especially the skiing facilities on nearby mountains.

1984: Cable car landmark

The Sarajevo cable car was a key landmark during the 1984 Winter Olympics.

1984: Zetra Stadium used as temporary hospital

The ice arena for the 1984 Olympics, Zetra Stadium, was used during the war as a temporary hospital and, later, for housing NATO troops of the IFOR.

1991: Ethnic distribution in Sarajevo

In 1991, according to the census, 49.2% of Sarajevo's population were Bosniaks, 29.8% Serbs, 10.7% Yugoslavs, 6.6% Croats, and 3.6% other ethnicities.

1991: The Sarajevo school of pop rock era ends

In 1991, the Sarajevo school of pop rock era ended.

1991: 1991 census for Sarajevo

The 1991 census indicates that before the siege, the city and its surrounding areas had a population of 525,980.

1991: Yugoslav census recorded population

The last official Yugoslav census took place in 1991 and recorded 527,049 people living in the city of Sarajevo.

April 1992: Start of the Siege of Sarajevo

In April 1992, the Siege of Sarajevo began as part of the Yugoslav Wars. This was the longest siege of a capital city in modern history.

April 1992: Siege of Sarajevo began

The Siege of Sarajevo began on 5 April 1992, resulting in large-scale destruction and population shifts.

May 1992: Serb Blockade of Sarajevo

From 2 May 1992, Serbs blockaded Sarajevo, and Bosnian government defense forces were poorly equipped and unable to break the siege.

1995: Dnevni avaz newspaper founded

Dnevni avaz (Daily Voice) newspaper was founded in 1995.

1995: Establishment of the Sarajevo Film Festival

In 1995, the Sarajevo Film Festival was established during the Bosnian War, becoming the premier film festival in Southeast Europe.

1995: First Sarajevo Film Festival held

In 1995, the first Sarajevo Film Festival was held in Sarajevo, while the city was still at war.

1995: Savatage releases "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)"

In 1995, the heavy metal band Savatage released the song "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)" on their album Dead Winter Dead, about a cello player in war-torn Sarajevo.

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1995: Airport's role retook

Since the Dayton Agreement in 1995, Sarajevo airport retook its role as the main air portal to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

1995: Internet availability

The Internet was first made available to the city of Sarajevo in 1995.

February 1996: End of the Siege of Sarajevo

In February 1996, the Siege of Sarajevo ended after 1,425 days during the Bosnian War.

February 1996: Siege of Sarajevo ended

The Siege of Sarajevo ended on 29 February 1996, after being the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare.

1996: Division of territory

Division of the territory according to the Dayton Agreement resulted in a mass exodus in early 1996 of some 62,000 Sarajevo Serbs from the city and its suburbs, creating today's more monoethnic post-war city.

1996: Trans-Siberian Orchestra re-releases "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)"

In 1996, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra re-released the song "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)" on their debut album Christmas Eve and Other Stories, gaining instant success.

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1997: Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina Opens

In 1997, the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina opened in Sarajevo.

1998: French International School of Sarajevo established

The French International School of Sarajevo was established in 1998.

2002: Census figure

Census in 2002 registered 79.6% Bosniaks or Muslims.

2002: Sarajevo Stock Exchange Begins Trading

In 2002, the Sarajevo Stock Exchange began trading.

2003: Marriage registration data analysis

According to an analysis of marriage registration data, 67% of people marrying in 2003 identified as Bosniak or Muslim.

2003: BH Telecom Indoors established

Since 2003, BH Telecom Indoors has been an annual tennis tournament in Sarajevo.

2005: Schools in Sarajevo

As of 2005, there are 46 elementary schools and 33 high schools in Sarajevo, including schools for children with special needs.

2005: Airport award

Sarajevo International Airport was voted Best European Airport With Under 1,000,000 Passengers at the 15th Annual ACI-Europe in Munich in 2005.

2006: Reconstruction work started on Parliament

In late 2006, reconstruction work started on Parliament.

October 2007: Opening of the Alija Izetbegović Museum

On October 19, 2007, the Alija Izetbegović Museum opened in Sarajevo's old town fort, commemorating the work of Alija Izetbegović.

2007: Reconstruction work finished on Parliament

In 2007, reconstruction work was finished on Parliament.

2007: Sarajevo Half Marathon Established

Since 2007, the Sarajevo Half Marathon has been organized every year in late September.

August 2008: High temperature

In August 2008, the temperature was 41.0 °C.

December 2009: Lonely Planet Recommendation

In December 2009, Lonely Planet recommended Sarajevo as one of the top ten cities to visit in 2010.

December 2009: Sarajevo listed as a top ten city

In December 2009, Sarajevo was listed as one of the top ten cities to visit in 2010 by Lonely Planet.

2009: Sarajevo awarded 2009 Special Olympic winter games, later canceled

Sarajevo was awarded the 2009 Special Olympic winter games, but later canceled these plans.

2010: Air pollution in Sarajevo

In 2010, the annual average PM2.5 concentration in Sarajevo was estimated to be 30 μg/m based on PM10 measurement, three times higher than WHO guidelines.

2010: Recommended city to visit

Lonely Planet recommended Sarajevo as one of the top ten cities to visit in 2010.

2010: Proposal of subway system

Sarajevo architect Muzafer Osmanagić proposed a study called "Eco Energy 2010–2015" proposing a subway system underneath the bed of the river Miljacka.

2011: Sarajevo hosts the 51st World Military Skiing Championship

In 2011, Sarajevo hosted the 51st World Military Skiing Championship, the first international event of such standing since the 1984 Olympics.

2011: Sarajevo nominated as European Capital of Culture

In 2011, Sarajevo was nominated as the 2014 European Capital of Culture.

March 2012: Federation investment in A1

Up until March 2012, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina invested around 600 million euros in the A1 highway.

December 2012: Friendship Park dedication

On 24 December 2012, a park dedicated as the Friendship Park was inaugurated. It features two brass sculptures resembling mourning mothers, commemorating the friendship between Sarajevo and Baku.

2012: Extension of passenger terminal started

In the fall of 2012, plans for the extension of the passenger terminal at Sarajevo airport were started.

2013: Sarajevo Canton Census

According to the 2013 census, the population of the Sarajevo Canton was 413,593.

2014: Sarajevo nominated as European Capital of Culture

In 2011, Sarajevo was nominated as the 2014 European Capital of Culture.

2014: Anti-government protests and flooding

In 2014, Sarajevo experienced anti-government protests and riots, as well as record rainfall that caused historic flooding.

2014: Completion of highway sections

In 2014, the sections Sarajevo-Zenica and Sarajevo-Tarčin of the highway were completed, including the Sarajevo Beltway ring road.

2015: Airport upgrade

Between 2015 and 2018, Sarajevo airport was upgraded for more than 25 million euros.

2015: Proposal of subway system

Sarajevo architect Muzafer Osmanagić proposed a study called "Eco Energy 2010–2015" proposing a subway system underneath the bed of the river Miljacka.

June 2016: 2013 census final results published

In June 2016, the final results of the 2013 census were published, providing population figures for the Sarajevo Canton and its municipalities.

2016: WHO Air Pollution Report

According to the 2016 World Health Organization's Ambient Air Pollution Database, the annual average PM2.5 concentration in 2010 was estimated to be 30 μg/m based on PM10 measurement, which is 3 times higher than recommended by WHO Air Quality Guidelines for the annual average PM2.5.

2017: Passenger traffic at Sarajevo Airport

In 2017, 957,971 passengers travelled through Sarajevo Airport.

2017: Rebuilding of cable car

The Sarajevo cable car was rebuilt in 2017.

April 2018: Reopening of Sarajevo cable car

On 6 April 2018, the rebuilt Sarajevo cable car reopened, running from Sarajevo to the slopes of Trebević.

September 2018: Federal Hydrometeorological Institute

Real-time air quality data in the form of PM10, ozone, NO2, CO and SO2 by the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute was archived 13 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine.

2018: Airport upgrade

Between 2015 and 2018, Sarajevo airport was upgraded for more than 25 million euros.

2018: War Childhood Museum wins the Council of Europe Museum Prize

In 2018, the War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo won the Council of Europe Museum Prize award for best museum.

2018: Trebević cable car reconstruction

The Trebević cable car in Sarajevo was reconstructed in 2018, which became one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

February 2019: Sarajevo hosts European Youth Olympic Winter Festival

In February 2019, Sarajevo and East Sarajevo hosted the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival (EYOWF).

October 2019: Sarajevo designated as UNESCO Creative City

In October 2019, Sarajevo was designated as a UNESCO Creative City for its focus on culture in development strategies.

2019: Tourist visits in Sarajevo

In 2019, Sarajevo had 733,259 tourists visiting the city, with 1,667,545 overnight stays, which was 20% more than in 2018.

2019: Sarajevo Canton exports and imports

In 2019, the total export for the Sarajevo Canton was about 1,427,496,000 KM, with most exports heading to Germany. The total import was about 4,872,213,000 KM, primarily from Croatia.