In Sarajevo the dream of peaceful co-existence of cultures and religions was true for a long time; until it became a nightmare in the 1990's. Sarajevo, however, recovered and has now arrived in the 21st century.
Sarajevo has alwaysbeen situated in a historically important location. In antiquity theboarder between the Western and the Eastern part of the Roman Empire,the latter Byzantine Empire which was taken over by Muslim Ottomans,could be found here. In 1492 still countless sephardic Jews escapedfrom their persecution in Spain to Sarajevo. The city was known asthe "Jerusalem of the Balkans" because here Catholics, Orthodox,Muslims and Jews peacefully lived together like in no other cityelsewhere. Sarajevo is partly situated in the Occident and partly inthe Orient therefore Sarajevo's inhabitants always regarded themselvesas a bridge between the cultures. Many of Sarajevo's people were thus bewildered when the city got an allegory of hatret in the course of the Bosnian War. The sad outcome: 22 months occupation, 10.000 victims and the city's infrastructure and economy were totally destroid.
In the meantime Sarajevo was, however, rebuilt. Its inhabitants still treat visitors with familiar frankness and unlimited friendliness. The city is generally not crowded and offers a unique nightlife. It is worth a visit in every aspect. Sarajevo's people now, however, agree on the fact that the old dream was nice while it lasted.
