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Zelenih Beretki Street

Zelenih Beretki Street (Bosnian: Ulica Zelenih beretki; Serbo-Croatian Cyrillic: Улица Зелених беретки; English: Green Berets Street) is a historic and culturally significant street located in the heart of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The street has evolved over centuries, reflecting the city’s rich history and diverse cultural influences.[1]

History

The origins of Zelenih beretki Street date back to the 15th century. Initially, it comprised two distinct sections: Put kuluk-česma, named after a public fountain (česma) that once stood near the present-day Hotel Central, and Sabljarska čaršija, later known as Kulukčije, which was a marketplace for swordsmiths.[2] In the latter half of the 19th century, the street was referred to as Galata džadesi or Galata, and subsequently Tašlihanska, named after Gazi Husrev-beg’s stone inn, Tašlihan, located between Hotel Europe and Gazi Husrev-beg’s bezistan.[3]

During the Austro-Hungarian period, it was named Franje Josipa Street, after emperor Franz Joseph I, followed by Kralja Petra during the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, after Peter I of Serbia, and Ulica br. 1 between 1941 and 1945. After World War II, it was designated as JNA Street, named after the Yugoslav People's Army. In 1993, it was renamed Zelenih beretki in honor of the Green Berets, a volunteer paramilitary unit formed in 1991 to defend Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War.[4]

Landmarks

The street is home to several significant landmarks:

  • Museum of Sarajevo 1878–1918: Located at Zelenih beretki 1, this museum offers insights into Sarajevo’s history during the Austro-Hungarian period.[5]
  • Hotel Europe – One of the oldest and most prestigious hotels in Sarajevo, established in 1882 during the Austro-Hungarian period. The hotel is located near the intersection with Ferhadija Street and has hosted numerous celebrities, diplomats, and historical figures throughout its history.[6]
  • Hotel Central – A modern boutique hotel offering spa and wellness services, located on the corner of Zelenih beretki Street and Ćurčiluk mali. The hotel sits at a strategic point near the city’s main tourist attractions.[7]
  • Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos – This Serbian Orthodox church, completed in 1872, is one of the largest in the Balkans and stands as a key religious and architectural landmark near the street.[8]
  • Tašlihan – The remnants of a 16th-century caravanserai (inn) built during the Ottoman period. Though now in ruins, it is an important archaeological and tourist site adjoining the Gazi Husrev-beg Bezistan.[9]
  • Gazi Husrev-begov bezistan – An Ottoman-era covered market built in 1555, connecting Ferhadija and Zelenih beretki Streets. The Bezistan continues to serve as a marketplace, showcasing traditional crafts and textiles.[10]
  • National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Although not directly on Zelenih beretki Street, it is located in its immediate vicinity and is a major cultural institution, housing a significant collection of Bosnian visual art.[11]
  • Memorial Room of the Green Berets: Situated within the Museum of the Siege and Defense of Sarajevo 1992–1995, this memorial honors the Green Berets and their role in defending the city during the Bosnian War.[12]

Urban development

In recent years, efforts have been made to enhance pedestrian safety and manage traffic flow on Zelenih beretki Street. In 2017, protective bollards were installed along the sidewalks to prevent illegal parking and ensure unobstructed pedestrian pathways.[13]

Nightlife and bar scene

Zelenih Beretki Street, on a Saturday night.

Zelenih beretki Street has become one of Sarajevo’s most popular nightlife destinations. Despite its relatively short length, the street is densely packed with bars, lounges, and clubs that cater to a diverse local and international crowd. It is especially lively during weekends and summer evenings, when the terraces overflow with people enjoying drinks, music, and dance.

The street is considered part of Sarajevo’s “bar triangle,” together with nearby streets such as Ferhadija and Sima Milutinović Sarajlija Street, forming a core area for nightlife in the city center. Establishments like Deco Bar, Cheers, and City Lounge are well-known for their vibrant ambiance and modern interior design, while others offer live music, DJ sets, and cocktail specials that appeal to younger patrons and tourists alike.[14]

Its central location, near the historic heart of Baščaršija and major hotels such as Hotel Europe and Hotel Central, makes Zelenih beretki Street a convenient and attractive nightlife hub for both residents and visitors. The combination of historical architecture and modern gastronomy has contributed to its reputation as one of the trendiest bar streets in Sarajevo.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ulica Zelenih beretki". Destination Sarajevo (in Bosnian). Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Zelenih beretki". Baščaršija.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Kako je jedna od najljepših ulica u Sarajevu mijenjale ime kroz historiju". Dnevni Avaz (in Bosnian). 17 December 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Kako je jedna od najljepših ulica u Sarajevu mijenjale ime kroz historiju". Avaz.ba. 17 December 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  5. ^ "Sarajevo Museum 1878 – 1918". Tourism Bosnia and Herzegovina: Visit BiH. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  6. ^ "O nama – Hotel Europe Sarajevo". Hotel Europe. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  7. ^ "Hotel Central Sarajevo". Hotel Central. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Crkva Rođenja Presvete Bogorodice – Mitropolija dabrobosanska". Mitropolija dabrobosanska. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  9. ^ "Tašlihan: Kameni han iz osmanskog perioda u srcu Sarajeva". Radio Sarajevo. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  10. ^ "Gazi Husrev-begov Bezistan". Visit Sarajevo. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  11. ^ "Umjetnička galerija Bosne i Hercegovine". Umjetnička galerija BiH. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  12. ^ "Ministar Osmanović otvorio Spomen sobu "Zelenih beretki"". Klix.ba. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  13. ^ "U Ulici Zelenih beretki: Postavljeni stubići na trotoarima". Avaz.ba. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  14. ^ "Sarajevske ulice koje nikada ne spavaju: Gdje je centar dobrog provoda?". Radio Sarajevo. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  15. ^ "Noćni život u Sarajevu: Najpopularniji barovi i kafići u centru grada". Klix.ba. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2025.