Renovated Archaeological Park of Kalin Hadži Alija Mosque Opened in Sarajevo

(Patria) - The Mayor of Centar Municipality, Srđan Mandić, and the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk, together with numerous citizens, representatives of authorities and other institutions, opened the renovated archaeological park of Kalin Hadži Alija Mosque tonight.

With the implementation of this project, the city center has gained a landscaped area that connects the past and the present, which will serve as a reminder of cultural and historical heritage, while simultaneously becoming a new gathering place in the heart of Sarajevo.



To recall, the Centar Municipality, with the assistance of the Sarajevo Canton Government and the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, initiated the process of arranging this valuable archaeological site.

The project included phases of restoration and conservation of the discovered remains of the mosque, mekteb, residential building, and harem, as well as a phase of landscape architecture and illumination.

Interventions within the archaeological park itself were minimal, while the landscape architecture and illumination serve to communicate the value of the site. The funds secured for the arrangement of this site amount to 1,000,000 KM.

- Archaeological parks are bridges between centuries, places where we learn about the past. This park is the result of years of work, dedication, and passion of many people – from archaeologists, historians, and researchers, to various levels of government.

The archaeological park we are opening today is not only a guardian of the past but also a source of inspiration for the future. I believe this place will become a significant gathering point – not only for lovers of history and culture but also for younger generations who will find inspiration here for exploration and learning.



I wish to express deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to this project. Their dedication and cooperation made this idea a reality. May this archaeological park be a symbol of our respect for those who walked this land before us, as well as our determination to preserve and pass on their heritage to future generations - Mandić said.

- After years of neglect, this valuable site finally shines as it deserves. We followed the works day by day, solved challenges, and overcame administrative obstacles. It was difficult, but our persistence paid off.

This park is not only part of our cultural heritage – it is now also an aesthetic gem in the heart of Sarajevo. Behind the scaffolding that had marred the appearance of the city center for decades, a beautifully arranged place opens up, telling the story of our rich history.



With pride, we hand over this space to the citizens and all visitors of Sarajevo. May it become a new place for gathering, enjoyment, and remembrance of the heritage we preserve - Uk emphasized.

The Kalin Hadži Alija Mosque in Sarajevo was built in 1535 and demolished in 1947. On the site of the mosque today are archaeological remains discovered during recent archaeological excavations, and an archaeological park has been opened at that location.

The founder and trustee of the mosque was Kalin Hadži Alija, and its appearance is known thanks to a drawing kept in the Museum of Sarajevo. The tarih (chronogram) of this mosque is preserved in the Gazi Husrev-beg Library. An apartment building was constructed on the site of the mosque, and the cemetery was exhumed in 1947.