Sarajevo in the Habsburg Empire
Encyclopedia
Sarajevo residents, along with the rest of those of Bosnia and Herzegovina
, found themselves part of Austria-Hungary
as of the 1878 Treaty of Berlin. Anationwide resistance against Austrian occupation was initiated from the city, with gunfire welcoming the troops “from every house, from every window, from every doorway…even women were taking part.” However, the Austro-Hungarian occupation of the country was swift, and Sarajevo soon found itself part of the Habsburg realms. The Habsburg
period of Sarajevo's history was characterized by industrialization, development, westernization
, and social change. It could be argued that the three most prominent alterations made by the Habsburgs to Sarajevo were to the city’s political structure, architecture style, and education system.
Political Change
The immediate political change made by the Austrians was to do away with what were then regarded as outdated Ottoman
political divisions of the city, and put in place their own system which was centered on major roads.
Architectural Change
Unexpectedly aided by a fire that burned down a large part of the central city area (čaršija), architects and engineers who desired to modernize Sarajevo rushed to the city. The result was a unique blend of the remaining Ottoman city market and contemporary western architecture
. For the first time in centuries, the city significantly expanded outside its traditional borders. Much of today's Centar
was constructed during this time.
Architecture in Sarajevo quickly developed into a wide range of styles and buildings. The Cathedral of Jesus' Heart
, for example, was constructed using elements of neo-gothic and Romanesque architecture
. The National Museum, Sarajevo brewery, and City Hall were also constructed during this period. Additionally, Austrian officials made Sarajevo the first city in this part of Europe to have a tramway
.
Educational Change
As the Austro-Hungarians believed theirs was a far more modern and advanced nation than the Ottoman Empire
, Sarajevo was quickly westernized and adapted to their standards. A western education system was installed, and Sarajevo's inhabitants first started writing in Latin script.
The End of the Hapbburg Dominance of Sarajevo
By 1910, Sarajevo was populated by just under 52,000 people. Just four years later the most famous event in the history of Habsburg Sarajevo, and perhaps in the city’s history, occurred. The Assassination in Sarajevo, during which the young Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip
assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg
, on their visit to the city, started a chain of events that would lead to World War I
. At the end of the Great War and as part of the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, Austria-Hungary ceased to exist. Sarajevo became part of the new Kingdom of Yugoslavia
.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, found themselves part of Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
as of the 1878 Treaty of Berlin. A
Habsburg
The House of Habsburg , also found as Hapsburg, and also known as House of Austria is one of the most important royal houses of Europe and is best known for being an origin of all of the formally elected Holy Roman Emperors between 1438 and 1740, as well as rulers of the Austrian Empire and...
period of Sarajevo's history was characterized by industrialization, development, westernization
Westernization
Westernization or Westernisation , also occidentalization or occidentalisation , is a process whereby societies come under or adopt Western culture in such matters as industry, technology, law, politics, economics, lifestyle, diet, language, alphabet,...
, and social change. It could be argued that the three most prominent alterations made by the Habsburgs to Sarajevo were to the city’s political structure, architecture style, and education system.
Political Change
The immediate political change made by the Austrians was to do away with what were then regarded as outdated Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
political divisions of the city, and put in place their own system which was centered on major roads.
Architectural Change
Unexpectedly aided by a fire that burned down a large part of the central city area (čaršija), architects and engineers who desired to modernize Sarajevo rushed to the city. The result was a unique blend of the remaining Ottoman city market and contemporary western architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
. For the first time in centuries, the city significantly expanded outside its traditional borders. Much of today's Centar
Centar
Centar may refer to:* Centar Municipality , a municipality in Skopje, in the Republic of Macedonia.* Centar Municipality, Sarajevo, a municipality in Sarajevo, in Bosnia and Herzegovina.*Centar, Niš, a neighbourhood of Niš, in Serbia....
was constructed during this time.
Architecture in Sarajevo quickly developed into a wide range of styles and buildings. The Cathedral of Jesus' Heart
Cathedral of Jesus' Heart
The Cathedral of Jesus' Heart in Sarajevo, commonly referred as the Sarajevo Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the seat of the Vrhbosanski Archbishop, currently Cardinal Vinko Puljić, and center of Catholic worship in the city...
, for example, was constructed using elements of neo-gothic and Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
. The National Museum, Sarajevo brewery, and City Hall were also constructed during this period. Additionally, Austrian officials made Sarajevo the first city in this part of Europe to have a tramway
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
.
Educational Change
As the Austro-Hungarians believed theirs was a far more modern and advanced nation than the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, Sarajevo was quickly westernized and adapted to their standards. A western education system was installed, and Sarajevo's inhabitants first started writing in Latin script.
The End of the Hapbburg Dominance of Sarajevo
By 1910, Sarajevo was populated by just under 52,000 people. Just four years later the most famous event in the history of Habsburg Sarajevo, and perhaps in the city’s history, occurred. The Assassination in Sarajevo, during which the young Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip
Gavrilo Princip
Gavrilo Princip was the Bosnian Serb who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914...
assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
Franz Ferdinand was an Archduke of Austria-Este, Austro-Hungarian and Royal Prince of Hungary and of Bohemia, and from 1889 until his death, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His assassination in Sarajevo precipitated Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia...
and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg
Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg
Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg ; 1 March 1868 – 28 June 1914) was a Czech aristocrat, the morganatic wife of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. Their assassination sparked World War I.- Early life :...
, on their visit to the city, started a chain of events that would lead to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. At the end of the Great War and as part of the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, Austria-Hungary ceased to exist. Sarajevo became part of the new Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Kingdom of Yugoslavia
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a state stretching from the Western Balkans to Central Europe which existed during the often-tumultuous interwar era of 1918–1941...
.