Walk west from Baščaršija and Sarajevo tightens its tie. Trams hum along Zmaja od Bosne, glass catches the sun, and then—four pale pavilions line up like a sentence with a perfect full stop. This is The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina: a late-19th-century idea turned into a 20th-century temple of knowledge that still runs on 21st-century grit. Inside are mammoths and mosaics, Illyrians and Romans, Ottoman textiles and city whispers—and, in a climate-controlled vault, the most famous manuscript in the Balkans.
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Why The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina matters
Founded in 1888 and housed since 1913 in a purpose-built, Neo-Renaissance complex designed by the Czech architect Karel (Karl) Pařík, the museum follows a crisp pavilion logic: Archaeology, Ethnology, Natural Sciences, and the Library. Not merely a building—it’s the neatest map to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s layered identity.
The Sarajevo Haggadah: the beating heart of The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The star of the collection is the Sarajevo Haggadah, an illuminated Sephardic manuscript produced around 1350 (most likely in Barcelona). The first 34 leaves hold 69 miniatures—a gallery of light painted on parchment.
When can you see it?
– With a regular museum ticket: Tuesdays, Thursdays and the first Saturday of each month, 12:00–13:00 (no guide).
– Private, curated appointments: Tue–Fri 10:00–16:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–14:00; 150 BAM flat fee for <5 visitors or 30 BAM per person for groups of 5+, book at least 3 days in advance by email.
Insider tip: arrive ten minutes early and go straight to the vault. Photos are restricted or not allowed; let your eyes do the work—pigments from the 14th century feel more alive unfiltered.
What to see (and why 60 minutes won’t be enough)
Archaeology. From Butmir to the Illyrians, Rome and the Middle Ages. Not just “artefacts,” but the archaeology of everyday life-fibulae, tools, lamps, mosaics. Ancient floors flicker like an antique screensaver; medieval fragments remind you that epochs are people. (You’ll meet the Butmir culture almost immediately.)
Ethnology. Textiles, wood, metal, leather: the grammar of a Bosnian house. A room that feels like warmth folded into pattern.
Natural Sciences. Geology and zoology deliver honest “wow” moments for kids and adults alike-bones, minerals, carefully prepared specimens: the Earth before us, with traces that stayed.
The Botanical Garden of The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
In the middle of the complex sits the Botanical Garden (1912/1913), shaped by botanist Karl Malý: 14,270 m², about 1,000 species, 12 scientific and exhibition collections. Beautiful, yes-but also educational: it showcases native flora and why biodiversity is a heritage worth guarding. It’s the perfect reset between pavilions: a bench, some shade, the city held at arm’s length.
Architecture: how The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina looks effortlessly European
The Neo-Renaissance pavilion layout fits the early-20th-century museum ideal. Pařík left his calmest sentence here: symmetry, light, function; a courtyard-garden framed by stone monuments. Completed in 1913, the ensemble has been Sarajevo’s address for serious curiosity ever since.
Practicalities: hours, ticket prices, discounts and how to reach The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Opening hours (verified October 2025)
– Tue–Fri: 10:00–19:00
– Sat–Sun: 10:00–18:00
– Mon: closed
(Public holidays include Jan 1–2, Mar 1, May 1–2, Nov 25.) Always check the official page for updates.
Tickets & perks
– Adults 20 BAM (10 BAM with BiH ID).
– Children 6–18 2 BAM; preschoolers free.
– Students 10 BAM (with ID).
– Pensioners with discount 2 BAM (with proof).
– 18:00–19:00: children & pensioners free, adults 5 BAM.
– Guided group tour (up to 30 people): 100 BAM (50 BAM with discount).
– Payment: cash, card, or bank transfer (company ID required for transfer).
– Contacts: +387 33 262 710, [email protected].
Address & transport
Zmaja od Bosne 3, 71000 Sarajevo. Reachable by all tram lines (stop “Tehnička škola”) and the Baščaršija–Dobrinja bus line. It’s a 15–20 minute walk from the city center.
How to plan a sharp 90-minute visit to The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Minutes 0–10: Entry + straight to the vault (Haggadah).
10–40: Archaeology—Butmir, Illyrians, Rome (a gentle slope into the Middle Ages).
40–55: Botanical Garden pause.
55–80: Ethnology—houses, costumes, crafts: textures of Bosnia.
80–90: Natural Sciences—your brisk finale.
Deeper dive: book a curator-led tour or a private Haggadah slot (email 3 days in advance).
A short history of resilience: from shell damage to the 2012–2015 closure
The complex suffered damage during the 1992–1995 war, yet the core collections survived thanks to professionals and volunteers. Later came a different trial—closure from 2012 to 2015 amid funding disputes. Reopening wasn’t mere bureaucracy; it was Sarajevo regaining a piece of itself.
Why The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina is “Sarajevo in miniature”
Because contradictions are curated here with grace: Roman stone and Ottoman silk, a Sephardic manuscript and an Austro-Hungarian facade, a mountain herbarium and urban memory. If you have one afternoon—spend it here. If you have children—this is where history becomes likable. If you love cities—you’ll understand Sarajevo more deeply.
FAQ about The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
How much is the ticket for The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Adults 20 BAM (or 10 BAM with BiH ID), children 6–18 2 BAM, preschoolers free; students 10 BAM; discounted pensioner tickets; 18:00–19:00 children & pensioners free, adults 5 BAM.
When is The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina open?
Tue–Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–18:00, closed on Mondays; check public holiday exceptions.
When can I see the Sarajevo Haggadah at The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Tuesdays, Thursdays and the first Saturday of each month, 12:00–13:00 with a regular ticket; curator-guided slots Tue–Fri 10:00–16:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–14:00; book 3 days in advance.
Where is it and how do I get there?
Yes, with consideration for other visitors and the nature of the exhibit. Keep flash off; context in your caption goes a long way.
Which other sites pair well with the Siege of Sarajevo Museum?
Zmaja od Bosne 3, by all tram lines (stop “Tehnička škola”) and Baščaršija–Dobrinja bus; 15–20 minutes on foot from the center.
Our Most Popular Tours To Sarajevo
We offer many tours that include a visit to Sarajevo and its most popular locations:
- Sarajevo Siege Tour & War Tunnel 1992 / 1996 (Most Popular)
- Full Day tour from Sarajevo to Međugorije & Mostar
- Full Day Tour from Sarajevo to Travnik and Jajce
- Full-Day 5 Cities Tour from Sarajevo to Herzegovina (Mostar)
- Full day Tour from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik (Kotor or Split)
- Full Day tour from Sarajevo to Belgrade
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