Walled city of Vratnik, Fortified quarter in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Walled City of Vratnik is a fortified quarter in the old part of Sarajevo, enclosed by stone walls that still stand along the hillside. The area includes several historic gates, such as the Višegrad, Širokac, and Ploča gates, along with two fortresses: the White Fortress and the Yellow Fortress.
After Prince Eugene of Savoy raided and burned much of Sarajevo in 1697, city leaders decided to fortify the Vratnik quarter. Walls, towers, and gates were built through the 18th century, and the Yellow Fortress was added in the early 19th century to strengthen the defense.
The quarter sits on a hillside above the old town and is best explored on foot, as its streets are steep and narrow. Visiting in the morning tends to be quieter, and good walking shoes are a practical choice given the uneven stone paths.
The Red Fortress, known as Crvena Tabija, has completely disappeared, yet the hilltop where it once stood offers one of the widest views over Sarajevo, making the steep climb worth it for many visitors. The walls themselves were built by craftsmen brought in from Travnik, rather than local workers, which was unusual for the time.
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