Embark on a seven-step journey through Sarajevo, the historic capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and uncover the traditional crafts that have shaped the city’s heritage since the 15th century. In the enchanting old town, known as Baščaršija, once the bustling heart of Sarajevo’s craft scene with streets dedicated to specific trades, meet the masters striving to preserve endangered traditions like coppersmithing and brush making. With only a few artisans remaining, these skilled individuals keep ancestral techniques alive, offering a glimpse into Sarajevo’s rich cultural past. As modernity threatens these traditions, they stand as custodians of history for future generations.
Janko Hlpka, Sarajevo's last milliner, learned his craft from his father and now runs the business with his wife, blending traditional techniques with contemporary designs in the hope that his children and grandchildren will preserve this fading art.
Maršala Tita 21, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Monday to Friday 10:00-18:00; Saturday 10:00-15:00
Edin Kazaz, one of Sarajevo's few remaining coppersmiths, inherited his passion from his renowned grandfather and continues to shape copper and tin over an open fire, striving to keep this vanishing craft alive.
Kovači 29, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Hazim Numanagić is a leading Bosnian calligrapher who adorned Sarajevo's famous Bey's Mosque. He refined his skills under one of Yugoslavia's finest calligraphers and today works to revive the traditional alphabets of Bosnia and Herzegovina, restoring calligraphy to its historic prestige.
Despićeva 3, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sulejman Hrgić, one of Bosnia's youngest coppersmiths, learned his trade under a renowned Sarajevo artisan. He crafts traditional coffee pots while passing on this ancient skill to the next generation.
Kovači 23, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fall and Winter: Monday to Friday 12:00-17:00; Spring: Monday to Friday 10:00-18:00; Summer: Monday to Friday 10:00-20:00
Discover the ancient craft of coppersmithing with Sulejman Hrgić, as you create your own copper souvenir in his Sarajevo studio while learning about the rich history of this traditional art form.
Kovači 23,, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Remzija Balagić, Sarajevo's last maker of Balkan brushes, inherited his family business and continues to craft traditional brushes, cherishing the memory of his late father while searching for an apprentice to help preserve this endangered craft.
Čizmedžiluk 22, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Monday to Friday 09:00-18:00; Saturday 09:00-16:00
Pottery, nearly extinct in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is being revived by Tatjana Kovačević-Vidović, who uses Neolithic techniques to craft everyday objects and breathe new life into this ancient tradition.
Bugojanska 12, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
