Sarajevo in the Habsburg Empire

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This article is part of
the History of Sarajevo
series.

Ancient Times

Middle Ages

Habsburg Empire

Sarajevo residents, along with the rest of those of Bosnia and Herzegovina, found themselves part of Austria-Hungary as of the 1878 Treaty of Berlin. A ~~nationwide~~ resistance against Austrian occupation was initiated from the city, with gunfire welcoming the troops “from every house, from every window, from every doorway…even women were taking part.” However, the Austro-Hungarian occupation of the country was swift, and Sarajevo soon found itself part of the Habsburg realms. The Habsburg period of Sarajevo's history was characterized by industrialization, development, westernization, and social change. It could be argued that the three most prominent alterations made by the Habsburgs to Sarajevo were to the city’s political structure, architecture style, and education system.

Political Change

The immediate political change made by the Austrians was to do away with what were then regarded as outdated Ottoman political divisions of the city, and put in place their own system which was centered on major roads.

Architectural Change

Unexpectedly aided by a fire that burned down a large part of the central city area (čaršija), architects and engineers who desired to modernize Sarajevo rushed to the city. The result was a unique blend of the remaining Ottoman city market and contemporary western architecture. For the first time in centuries, the city significantly expanded outside its traditional borders. Much of today's Centar was constructed during this time. Architecture in Sarajevo quickly developed into a wide range of styles and buildings. The Cathedral of Jesus' Heart, for example, was constructed using elements of neo-gothic and Romanesque architecture. The National Museum, Sarajevo brewery, and City Hall were also constructed during this period. Additionally, Austrian officials made Sarajevo the first city in this part of Europe to have a tramway.

Educational Change

As the Austro-Hungarians believed theirs was a far more modern and advanced nation than the Ottoman Empire, Sarajevo was quickly westernized and adapted to their standards. A western education system was installed, and Sarajevo's inhabitants first started writing in Latin script.

The End of the Hapsburg Dominance of Sarajevo

By 1910, Sarajevo was populated by just under 52,000 people. Just four years later the most famous event in the history of Habsburg Sarajevo, and perhaps in the city’s history, occurred. The Assassination in Sarajevo, during which the young Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, on their visit to the city, started a chain of events that would lead to World War I. At the end of the Great War and as part of the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, Austria-Hungary ceased to exist. Sarajevo became part of the new Kingdom of Yugoslavia.