Centar (Sarajevo)

Centar (Sarajevo)
Name	Centar
Native name	Центар
Settlement type	Municipality of Sarajevo
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Bosnia and Herzegovina
Subdivision type1	Entity
Subdivision name1	Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Subdivision type2	Canton
Subdivision name2	Sarajevo Canton
Subdivision type3	City
Subdivision name3	Sarajevo
Area total km2	3.3
Population total	55,181
Population as of	2013 census
Population density km2	auto
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Nermin Muzur
Timezone	CET
Utc offset	+1

Centar (Sarajevo) Centar is one of the four municipalities that compose the City of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Located in the central valley of the Miljacka River, Centar contains Sarajevo's principal administrative, commercial, cultural, and historical core, including major institutions, parks, and transport hubs. The municipality's urban fabric reflects layers from Ottoman-era bazaars to Austro-Hungarian architecture and post-war reconstruction.

History

Centar's territory overlaps the medieval and Ottoman-era core of Sarajevo, where traders along the Miljacka River established markets and religious endowments such as the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and the Baščaršija. During the Austro-Hungarian period urban planners introduced avenues, civic buildings, and infrastructure including projects influenced by architects associated with Vienna and the Habsburg Monarchy. In the 20th century Centar hosted institutions tied to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and cultural organizations like the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The municipality suffered extensive damage during the Siege of Sarajevo in the Bosnian War, with destruction affecting landmarks such as the Vijećnica and residential districts; subsequent post-war reconstruction involved entities including the Office of the High Representative and international donors from European Union states and United Nations agencies.

Geography and neighbourhoods

Centar lies along the central basin of the Sarajevo field bordered by Ilidža, Novo Sarajevo, Stari Grad, and Novi Grad. Topographically it includes the Miljacka River corridor, slopes rising toward Trebević and the Jevrejska Brda outskirts, and green spaces such as Koševo and Skenderija complexes. Notable neighbourhoods and quarters within Centar include parts of the historic Baščaršija, the administrative district around Trg Austrije (Austria Square), commercial axes near Ferhadija, and mixed-use areas adjacent to the Latin Bridge and Despić House. Urban redevelopment projects have linked Centar to metropolitan plans developed by planners familiar with models from Zagreb, Belgrade, and Ljubljana.

Demographics

Census data indicate diverse population patterns characteristic of Sarajevo, with residents identifying with national groups such as Bosniaks, Bosnian Serbs, and Bosnian Croats, as recorded in the 2013 Bosnia and Herzegovina census. Religious affiliation in Centar historically included adherents of Islam, Orthodox Christianity, and Catholicism, reflected in mosques, churches, and cathedrals such as the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sarajevo and Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. Demographic shifts occurred after the Bosnian War due to displacement, returnee programs coordinated by International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia-related actors and humanitarian organizations like UNHCR.

Economy and infrastructure

Centar hosts headquarters and offices of national and multinational firms, banking institutions including branches of Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina counterparts, media outlets like Radio Sarajevo and television production companies, and cultural enterprises tied to the National Theatre Sarajevo. Retail corridors on streets such as Ferhadija and plazas around Markale support commerce; hospitality infrastructure includes hotels affiliated with international chains and local operators servicing events at Zetra Olympic Hall and Asim Ferhatović Hase Stadium. Utility and telecommunications infrastructure is integrated with networks maintained by companies such as BH Telecom and regional energy providers connected to grids coordinated with entities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighboring states.

Government and administration

Centar is administered by a municipal council and a mayor; municipal competencies operate within frameworks set by the City of Sarajevo authorities and the Sarajevo Canton. Municipal offices coordinate with agencies such as the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology of Sarajevo Canton and institutions linked to the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and national ministries seated in Sarajevo. Local governance has engaged with international institutions including the Council of Europe and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for urban projects and compliance with European municipal standards.

Culture and landmarks

Centar contains Sarajevo's richest concentration of cultural landmarks: the National Museum, the National Theatre, the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the Latin Bridge, and the reconstructed Vijećnica. Venues such as Skenderija host concerts and fairs associated with festivals like the Sarajevo Film Festival and the Sarajevo Winter Festival. Galleries including the Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina and institutions like the City Museum of Sarajevo preserve heritage. Centar's streets and cafés have historical associations with figures including Ivo Andrić, Meša Selimović, Alija Izetbegović, Veselin Masleša, and artists connected to the Bosnian literature and performing arts scenes.

Transportation

Centar functions as Sarajevo's transport node with arterial roads connecting to the E73 corridor, bus terminals serving intercity carriers and urban routes operated by Gradski Saobraćaj Sarajevo (GRAS), taxi services, and tram lines inherited from Austro-Hungarian urban design. Proximity to Sarajevo International Airport links Centar internationally, while local mobility plans involve cycling paths and pedestrianized zones on promenades such as Ferhadija. Rail connections use stations in adjacent municipalities linked to the ŽFBH network connecting to Mostar, Zenica, and cross-border routes toward Zagreb and Belgrade.

Education and public services

Educational institutions in Centar include faculties and research centers affiliated with the University of Sarajevo alongside primary and secondary schools administered under the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Sarajevo Canton. Public health services feature clinics connected to the University Clinical Center of Sarajevo and municipal public safety services coordinated with the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Internal Affairs. Libraries such as the National and University Library and cultural centers support lifelong learning and archives holding materials related to Sarajevo's history.

Category:Municipalities of Sarajevo