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European Jerusalem a City of Inspiration

Traveling around the world and visiting great and famous metropolises will make one realize

how powerful, splendid and glittering they are. Modern metropolises usually remind us ofwealth and extraordinary way of life, where nothing can go wrong. On the other side, there

are cities that are not glittering at all, but that have an amazing atmosphere and an incredible

spirit. Such cities do not have neither tall skyscrapers nor expensive shopping malls. They

have a soul, instead. One such city is certainly Saraevo, the capital of !osnia and

"erzegovina. Saraevo is perhaps best known for its tortures in the past decades when it was

torn during the three#year war. The war ended twenty years ago and ever since then Saraevo

started to rise from the ashes, growing into more beautiful and spiritually richer city. Today,

tourists gladly decide to visit the so#called $uropean %erusalem, where tradition and religion

continually collide, and for many, Saraevo has become a real revelation that in different waysfulfills everyone with inspiration, love and inner peace.

Sarajevo An Oasis of Culture, Religion and Tradition

&laced in the center of the small !alkan country, Saraevo is a relatively small city, but it has a

vast and colorful history and cultural legacy. 't was built in the late ()th century by the

Ottoman rulers who decided to make a modern, urban and administrative center for their

newly con*uered province. That was the start of a uni*ue development of Saraevo that

gradually transformed the city into a real museum on the open that represents a one#of#a#kind

combination of Oriental and Middle $uropean culture with a strong socialistic mark,

especially in its architecture. Saraevo was from its very beginnings open to different people

with different customs, and that is the reason many people call it the Small %erusalem.

Muslims, Orthodox, +atholics, %ews, &rotestants and many others used to live there together

for centuries and all of these communities have left a significant mark on Saraevos cultural

and urban identity. Many people do not know that the second biggest %ewish cemetery in

$urope is located in Saraevo, or that in !osnian capital, one can see the famous "agada # a

truly uni*ue %ewish book whose value is estimated at around - billion dollars Should anyone

visit Saraevos old market and historical center, he will be able to see mos*ues and churches

standing one to another. "earing different prayers at the same time is truly an experience

money cannot buy.

Tourist Attractions Tat !eep Entralling te "isitors

Saraevo used to be the center of global attention few times in its long history # the first time

when the //' started, and the second time during the winter Olympics back in (012.

Tourists can still see the location where the 3ustrian &rince 4ranz 4erdinand and his wife

were killed which led to the maor world conflict. There is a museum dedicated to the event

that attracts people from all around the world who seek to relive the very moment in the first

person at the original location. 'n (012, Saraevo was the host of the /inter Olympic 5ames

that used to be the best#organized event of that kind ever. Saraevo is still the smallest city thathas ever had a chance to organize such an event, and today tourists can visit these venues on

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their own. /inters in Saraevo have a particular taste especially on one of many surrounding

mountains with beautiful ski resorts. 'n the end, one thing you should definitively not forget to

do is to try some of the delicious !osnian meals that will make your stay even more pleasant.

Of course, be prepared to drink a lot of coffee because in Saraevo everything starts and ends

with a few cups of this black pleasure

"arious Types of Accommodation #ulfill te $eeds of Tourists

Saraevo, the city that gathered various religions and traditions, as well as beautiful and

cheerful people who are always ready to help, will most certainly cheer the tourists when it

comes to acccommodation. The !osnian capital has indeed a lot to offer, from modest hostels

and private apartments, to comfortable and even exclusive hotels in the city center. Today,

Saraevo disposes of a large number of hotel facilities including 6esidence 'nn Marriot and

"oliday 'nn. The most exclusive hotel chains have recognized the upcoming touristic

popularity of Saraevo, and "ilton "otels 7 6esorts has already made significant steps and

already build the first hotel in !osnia that will offer its clients first#class service. Those

interested in less exclusive accommodation will find cosy and modern hostel lodgings in all

parts of the city, including !a89ar8ia : the heart of Saraevo. Surely, private apartments are in

offer as well, and one can rent a flat at very reasonable price.

5erman counselor 3ngela Merkel said few years ago that multicultural way of living in

$urope has failed and that it is not possible, but !osnian capital Saraevo is the best proof she

was wrong. Today Saraevo receives numerous tourists who yearn to meet its history, rich

culture, tradition and customs and there are undoubtledly many more to come in the beautiful

$uropean %erusalem.