Type “Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo” into Google and you’ll get hundreds of results: photos of two young people lying in an embrace on a bridge during the siege; documentaries that circled the globe; travel guides insisting, “This is where love was stronger than war.” Yet few texts truly weave story, context, and useful advice for today’s visitor. This guide does exactly that—braiding legend with verified facts and giving you a clear plan to experience Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo on the spot, with respect for the city and its memories.
Table of Contents
Who are “Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo”-and why this story matters
Two young Sarajevans, Admira Ismić (Bosniak) and Boško Brkić (Bosnian Serb), were killed by sniper fire in May 1993 while trying to cross what was then Vrbanja Bridge (today the Suada and Olga Bridge) to escape the besieged city. Their death, captured in a photograph and a Reuters dispatch by Kurt Schork, became a global symbol of love that outlived divisions. Most commonly the date is given as May 19, 1993 (some sources cite May 18). The details of who fired the shots remain disputed. What’s undisputed: they died in an embrace, and for a moment the whole world looked at Sarajevo not only as a war headline, but as a city that gave one of the saddest, and perhaps most beautiful, stories of devotion.
Where it happened-how to visit today
The site is the Suada and Olga Bridge over the Miljacka River, in central Sarajevo. The bridge once carried the name Vrbanja, but after the war it was renamed in honor of Suada Dilberović and Olga Sučić, the first victims of the 1992 anti-war protests. If you stroll from the Eternal Flame toward Vilsonovo Promenade, you’ll recognize the bridge by its memorial plaque and the long straight view along the Miljacka—once the notorious Sniper Alley.
Getting there:
– On foot: from Trg djece Sarajeva (Children of Sarajevo Square) it’s a 10–15 minute easy walk along the river.
– Tram: take the lines running along Titova/Zmaja od Bosne, then a short walk to the river.
– Taxi: tell the driver “Suada and Olga Bridge (former Vrbanja).”
Best time to go:
– Morning: softer light, fewer people, the quiet suits the place.
– Sunset: golden hour over the Miljacka warms the photos—keep the to
A brief timeline: love before and during war
Admira and Boško met as teenagers on New Year’s Eve and were together for nine years. During the siege in 1993, they decided to attempt a crossing of the front line to leave the city. According to Kurt Schork’s Reuters report, there was a non-formal understanding that no one would shoot during their crossing; nonetheless, a sniper’s bullet killed Boško first, then wounded Admira, who crawled to him and died in his arms. Journalists and photographers recorded the scene—the image entered the history of the Bosnian War.
A note on the date: most sources list May 19, 1993, though May 18 appears in some reports—typical of wartime chaos. The essence remains unchanged.
Where they are buried-and why that matters
Admira and Boško are buried together, in a joint grave, at Lav Cemetery (Cemetery of the Lion) in Sarajevo. The cemetery sits on a hill with views of the city—a place where remembrance and quiet naturally meet. If you want to round out your visit, going to the cemetery after the bridge adds context and calm.
“Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo” in film and media
Their story entered global media almost immediately. PBS Frontline aired the documentary “Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo” (directed by John Zaritsky), and Schork’s dispatch became a signature text of the siege. Today, when you search for video, you’ll find short TV segments and feature-length docs; the most meaningful path is to watch the primary materials, then go to the bridge and connect the frames to the location yourself.
What “Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo” truly means-beyond the tourist photo
This is not “just another Instagram spot.” It’s a moral geometry of the city: the straight line of the Miljacka’s banks, a bridge joining two sides, and a story joining two families divided by identity. If you go, go understanding this is both a place of mourning and a place of hope.
How to behave on site:
– Quietly: avoid loud conversation or laughter on the bridge itself.
– No performative posing: one discreet photograph is fine; “reenactments” are not.
– Learn: read the brief history on the spot and reflect on why Sarajevo birthed such a story.
What else to see nearby (a love-and-memory themed walk)
If you want a meaningful afternoon:
- Eternal Flame / Ferhadija Street – back to the city’s pulse, where Sarajevo fuses its layers.
- Suada and Olga Bridge (Vrbanja) – the starting point of Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo.
- Vilsonovo Promenade – a long, green riverside walk; let your mind breathe.
- War Childhood Museum – intimate artifacts that pull you out of abstractions and back into real lives.
- History Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina – broader context of the siege and everyday life.
How to tell kids and teens about “Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo”
At a time when each news item was a count of shells and deaths, the photograph of two bodies in an embrace made a cut through the noise: instead of abstract “ethnic hatred,” the world saw two people. Hence the persistent phrase “Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo”—not because the city loved tragedy, but because the tragedy showed how human Sarajevo remained in inhuman times. To this day, major outlets mark anniversaries and retell the story, confirming that the symbolism doesn’t fade.
Practical plan: a 90-minute visit
00:00–00:15 – Arrive at the Suada and Olga Bridge. Stand in the middle and look down the Miljacka.
00:15–00:30 – Read a couple of sources (save links beforehand) and keep a minute of silence.
00:30–00:55 – Walk the riverbank toward Vilsonovo, breathe deeply, jot a few notes.
00:55–01:10 – Coffee by the river; talk about what you felt.
01:10–01:30 – Tram to the center or walk back; if time allows, visit the War Childhood Museum.
Why the bridge’s renaming matters for understanding the place
The bridge wasn’t renamed for the “Romeo and Juliet of Sarajevo,” but for Suada and Olga, civilians killed at the start of the siege. That choice carries a message: first, the city remembers civil courage and sacrifice that marked the opening of dark years; then, in the same space, it remembers Admira and Boško’s love. This dual memory is quintessential Sarajevo—a city that manages to hold its nuances.
FAQ: Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo
What does the phrase “Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo” mean?
It refers to Admira Ismić and Boško Brkić, two Sarajevans of different ethnic backgrounds who were killed while trying to leave the besieged city in 1993; their story became a global symbol of love stronger than division.
Where did the tragedy linked to “Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo” happen?
On what was then Vrbanja Bridge, today the Suada and Olga Bridge, over the Miljacka River in Sarajevo.
When did it happen, and why do some sources give different dates for “Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo”?
Most accounts say May 19, 1993, but some mention May 18; wartime conditions and chaotic reporting explain the discrepancy.
Where are the couple from “Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo” buried?
Together, in a joint grave, at Lav Cemetery (Cemetery of the Lion) in Sarajevo.
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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