The Alija Izetbegović Museum is dedicated to the personality and work of the first president of the independent Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Museum is located in the old gate towers of Ploča and Širokac, remains of the old fortified city of Vratnik, built in the 18th century.

Through archival photographs, documents and various objects, most of which were donated by the Izetbegović family, the permanent museum setting reveals Izetbegović’s political, but also private life, messages and ideas on which he based his vision of modern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and his role in the defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period between 1992 and 1995. Not far from the Museum is the Kovači Memorial Cemetery, where among the graves of the defenders of Sarajevo lies the mausoleum – the last resting place of their wartime commander, Alija Izetbegović.

Neighborhoods of  Sarajevo - Baščaršija 

We will start with today's bathing area Bentbaša, which was once known as medieval village of Brodac. The founder of Sarajevo, Isabeg Isaković thought this location was just perfect for establishing a city.

 In Baščaršija, he builds Kolobara Han (Kolobara Inn), a hotel in modern terms, which was soon surrounded by a multitude of shops creating the economic basis for the development of the city. Kozja ćuprija bridge (Goat Bridge) was built upstream from the village of Brodac in the 16th century, and today is an easy, half hours walk from Bentbaša along the Dariva Street. Not much is known about Kozja ćuprija, but it is certain that everything came to town through it: armies, caravans, religions, cultures and influences.

There are two traditions about the origin of Kozja ćuprija.
According to the first legend, the bridge was built by the Romans, and the second claims it was built by Mehmed Paša in memory of his childhood when he was just a poor goat shepherd.

According to the legend, one of the goats in his care discovered the hidden treasure. Mehmed used it for his education, became elected to the rank of Pasha and constructed a bridge he called “Goat’s Bridge”. Another permanent stamp was left by Gazi Husrev Beg (Gazi Husrev Bey), the conqueror of Belgrade, the irreplaceable warrior in campaigns of Suleiman the Magnificent, triple Bosnian Steward and Builder. In 1530, with his own money, he built the most monumental building of Islamic culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the largest sacral object of Islamic architecture in this part of the world, Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque, sitting on the right bank of the river Miljacka.

Bey Mosque, together with mekteb, wudu inn, two octagonal mausoleums and the clock tower building is the central and largest complex of the “čaršija”, and has had a significant influence on all construction activities in the city.
It is also the first mosque in the world to install electrical lighting.
More on www.visitsarajevo.ba/bascarsija/