Markale
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| Markale | |
|---|---|
| Name | Markale |
| Settlement type | Marketplaces |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Subdivision type1 | Entity |
| Subdivision name1 | Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Subdivision type2 | City |
| Subdivision name2 | Sarajevo |
Markale is the name given to two open-air marketplaces in central Sarajevo that served as commercial, social, and symbolic spaces in the pre-war and wartime periods of the early 1990s. The markets became internationally known after two deadly shelling incidents during the Siege of Sarajevo that drew attention from media outlets, humanitarian organizations, investigative bodies, and judicial institutions. The events at the marketplaces influenced diplomatic debates involving the United Nations, NATO, and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
Background and Etymology
The toponym associated with the marketplaces reflects local naming practices in Sarajevo neighborhoods near the Miljacka River and the historic Baščaršija quarter, which has links to Ottoman-era urban structures such as the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and the Sebilj. The markets occupied open squares frequented by residents from municipalities including Centar (Sarajevo) and adjacent suburbs like Ilidža and Novi Grad, Sarajevo. Traders from regions that had historical connections to the marketplaces included merchants from Mostar, Banja Luka, Tuzla, Zenica, and Bihać. The marketplaces functioned within the commercial circuits that connected to routes toward Dubrovnik, Split, and Belgrade during the late 20th century.
Marketplaces and Historical Role
Before 1992 the markets operated as focal points for daily life in Sarajevo, alongside institutions like the University of Sarajevo, National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Sarajevo City Hall (Vijećnica). The marketplaces were adjacent to public transport links like the Sarajevo tramway and near cultural venues such as the Sarajevo National Theatre and annual events like the Sarajevo Film Festival. Vendors sold produce from the Bosnian-Podrinje Canton, textiles linked to artisans from Travnik and Jajce, and goods reflecting influences from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Ottoman Empire. The markets also hosted exchanges among ethnic communities including Bosniaks, Croats, Serbs, and others from towns like Čapljina and Foča, making them emblematic of the city's multiethnic fabric prior to the Bosnian War.
Markale Massacres (1994–1995)
During the Siege of Sarajevo two separate deadly incidents occurred at the marketplaces in 1994 and 1995, which drew international condemnation and intense media coverage by outlets such as BBC News, CNN, The New York Times, Le Monde, and Der Spiegel. The first massacre on 5 February 1994 and the second on 28 August 1995 involved artillery, mortar, and shell fragments; medical teams from Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, and personnel from Koševo Hospital and East Sarajevo Hospital treated casualties. Witness accounts were given to investigators from entities including the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and later to prosecutors at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Survivors’ testimonies referenced nearby landmarks such as Trg Oslobođenja – Alija Izetbegović, the Latin Bridge, and streets like Zmaj od Bosne.
International Response and Investigations
The shellings prompted responses from heads of state and organizations such as François Mitterrand, Bill Clinton, John Major, Helmut Kohl, Slobodan Milošević, Boris Yeltsin, and institutions including the United Nations Security Council and NATO. Investigations were conducted by forensic teams from the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, ballistic experts from countries including France, United Kingdom, and United States, and independent groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Evidence collection engaged specialists affiliated with universities and laboratories like University of Sarajevo Faculty of Medicine, the Forensic Science Service (UK), and teams led by figures related to forensic expertise in The Hague. Diplomatic debate over evidence and attribution involved representatives from the Armed Forces of Republika Srpska, the Army of the Republika Srpska (VRS), the Army of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and UN commanders who served during the siege.
Legal Proceedings and War Crimes Trials
Indictments and trials at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia included charges related to attacks on civilians and sieges; proceedings referenced the incidents at the marketplaces. Defendants, legal teams, and judges connected to trials included prominent figures and offices like the Tribunal’s Office of the Prosecutor, defense counsel from major bar associations, and judges from jurisdictions such as France, Italy, and Canada. National courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and appellate bodies in The Hague examined forensic reports, witness depositions, and command responsibility doctrines that had earlier been applied in trials concerning events like the Siege of Vukovar and the Srebrenica massacre. Outcomes from cases influenced jurisprudence involving leaders and military officers from entities including the Republic of Serb Republic (Republika Srpska) and political leaders tried for crimes against humanity.
Memorials and Cultural Impact
Memorials in Sarajevo include plaques, commemorative installations near the markets, and remembrance events organized by municipal authorities of Sarajevo Canton and civil society groups including survivor associations and human rights NGOs. Cultural responses involved artists, filmmakers, and writers associated with institutions and festivals such as the Sarajevo Film Festival, exhibitions at the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and musical tributes referencing composers and performers from the region. International cultural institutions and museums in cities like London, Paris, New York City, Vienna, and Belgrade have hosted exhibitions and discussions that situate the marketplace incidents within broader narratives of the Bosnian War, post-conflict reconciliation efforts led by organizations such as the Office of the High Representative, and scholarly research by academics affiliated to universities including Oxford University, Harvard University, and University of Zagreb.