Vijećnica, Historic city hall in Stari Grad, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Vijećnica is a three-story city hall featuring Moorish Revival architecture, marked by ornate geometric patterns, colored stone walls, and decorated ceiling domes. The building houses exhibition spaces displaying regional art and historical objects from different periods.
Czech architect Karel Parik designed the building in 1891 as Sarajevo's administrative center. The city hall witnessed major moments including Archduke Franz Ferdinand's final reception in 1914 and later suffered severe damage during the Siege of Sarajevo.
The name refers to its original role as Sarajevo's city hall. The space functions today as a place where visitors encounter traces of the past through exhibitions and can admire the intricate craftsmanship visible throughout its interior.
Visitors can explore the building during set opening hours and join guided tours through the exhibition areas. The interior is straightforward to navigate, and it helps to allow enough time to view the ornate architecture and displayed objects thoroughly.
The National Library of Bosnia was housed in the building until 1992, before artillery fire during the siege destroyed large portions of the collection. The restoration completed in 2014 required specialized craftsmen to reproduce original decorative elements exactly using historical plans.
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