Description

National Library Remnants:

On the night of August 25, 1992, shelling from Serb positions on the hillside across the Milijacka River, hit the landmark National Library of Sarajevo. The incendiary shells ignited the structure, which burned for three days. Over two million books were lost, nearly 80% of the content of the library. It was a national depository for the writings and artifacts representing the multicultural heritage of the Bosnian society.

The structure was built in 1896 as a city hall, which, translated into the local language is Vijecnica, a name still used today when referring to the building. It was converted to a National and University library in 1949.

Historically, Archduke Franz Ferdinand stopped there just before he was assassinated on the streets of Sarajevo in 1914. That assassination touched off World War I. One of the results of that war was the formation of Yugoslavia.

I watched the fire engulf the library from my room at the Holiday Inn. During daylight hours, we were able to get a closer look at the destruction and recovery efforts. In subsequent days, we got access to the interior of the structure and obtained some debris that was being hauled away from the site. The two pieces of plaster in the collection were from the interior of the structure.

After decades of remaining empty, the historic monument was finally reconstructed, just in time for the 100th anniversary of the visit by the Archduke. Here is a link to a related story:

https://balkaninsight.com/2022/08/25/bosnia-marks-30-years-since-shelling-of-sarajevo-city-hall/