Lina's Land: 2015

31 December 2015

17 December 2015

Travel: Mostar

Mostar was the last on the list of visited cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The atmosphere in the city was gray and sad. It was raining and the place appeared to be completely deserted. I suppose it is not so in the spring and summer when the city is full of tourists.

Kriva Ćuprija- Crooked Bridge

Public Turkish Bath

Neretva river

Kujundžiluk- The Old Bazaar

Koski Mehmed Pasina Džamija -Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque

Stari Most - The Old Bridge. Originally built by the Turks in 1566, it was destroyed in 1993, but rebuilt in 2004.

Karađozbegova Džamija -Karadjoz-Bey Mosque

Formerly Mostar was one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country. Today it is the city divided between ethnic groups. After the war, a lot of buildings and monuments have been rebuilt. I hope, one day, the relationship between the divided ethnic groups will be renewed.

Maybe this rainbow over the bridge is a sign of a better future for this beautiful city.

05 December 2015

Travel:Sarajevo

Sarajevo- a place where Orient met Occident in the heart of the Balkans.
Once I was in Sarajevo in 1984, a few days after the end of the Winter Olympics.Those were happier days; we were young and carefree.We lived in the same country and we haven't thought about war.Thirty years later, Sarajevo is not the same city, and we have also changed. I tried not to think about the war and created classifications among people; unfortunately the reminders are everywhere. It was raining (snowing) whole weekend, so the atmosphere seemed even sadder. But Sarajevo is a special city, whose citizens are accustomed to the coexistence of different nations and religions. I hope one day Sarajevo will be an Olympic city again.
City tour should begin at Basčaršija.

The name Baščaršija (Turkish = main market, trading area) is now used for the entire artisan-trade area in the heart of old Sarajevo.

Sebilj -kiosk shaped public fountain, a major symbol of the city.

Havadža Durak Mosque, better known as Baščaršija Mosque

Morića Han (inn) is only remaining caravanserai.

GaziHusrev Bey’s Mosque, or Bey’s Mosque, was built in the center of Baščaršija in 1530.

Shadirwan Fountain-Šadrvan

Old Clock Tower is 30 meters high and it is the only public clock in the world that keeps lunar time (“à la Turk”) to indicate the times for the daily prayers.

The Gazi Husrev Beg Library

Kurshumli Madrasah- Kuršumlija

The Gazi Husrev-Beg Madrasah- is the oldest educational institution of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The best ćevapčići at Ćevabdzinica „Petica“Ferhatović

Gazi Husrev Bey’s Bezistan – market place-was at the center of trade in Sarajevo during the Ottoman period.

Tašlihan (Stone Inn), was built at the same time as Bezistan.

Baklava is required in Sarajevo.

The Old Jewish Temple, also known as the Old Synagogue and the Great Temple (Il Kal Grandi)

It was built at the end of the 16th century. Today it is the Jewish Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina and an annex of the Museum of Sarajevo.
"Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures" is a border between two cultures - two empires. On one side Ottoman architecture ends and on the other side Austro - Hungarian architecture starts.

Ferhadija – the popular pedestrianized street, borders with the Ottoman part of the city.

The Cathedral of Jesus’ Sacred Heart, was built in 1889. Inspiration for the design of cathedral was the Notre Dame Cathedral in Dijon and St.Teyn Cathedral in Prague.

Sarajevo Rose

Austro - Hungarian architecture

The Vječna vatra is a memorial to those who liberated Sarajevo during World War II.

Congregational Church of the Holy Mother is the largest Orthodox church in Sarajevo.

The Latin Bridge

A few meters from this bridge Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sofie. This incident, known as the Sarajevo Assassination, led to the beginning of the First World War.

City Hall (Vijećnica) is the most extravagant building constructed in Sarajevo during Austro-Hungarian occupation.The unique Pseudo-Moorish architectural style is the perfect blend of the Orient and Occident.

Šeherija-Šeher-ćehajina Ćuprija

The Emperor’s Mosque is Sarajevo’s oldest mosque and one of the oldest in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Emperor's Bridge

House of Spite-Inat kuća

Ali Pasha’s Mosque

Sarajevo War Tunnel (Tunnel of Hope)

The only connection the besieged city had with the outside world until the end of the war.

The natural monument, Vrelo Bosne- about 15 kilometers from the center of Sarajevo. It is the source of the Bosna River. Has been a favorite outing destination for the past 100 years.