Evidence of the war in Sarajevo is present throughout the city. There are numerous cemeteries which are dominated by victims of the war and many buildings still hold the scars of the violence. Yet, despite the ever present reminders of the war, Sarajevo is a textbook example of proper coping. The citizens of Sarajevo have neither dwelt on the tumultuous nature of their past nor attempted to block it out but, instead, have rebuilt their city in a manner which remembers the war and looks to the future.
The most prolific reminder of the war is the various cemeteries and memorials scattered throughout the city. Many of these cemeteries did not exist prior to 1992 and are the result of a four year of siege which limited the space available for traditional burial. These cemeteries are easily seen from any lookout point on the surrounding mountains and often look like giant swaths of white or dark flowers (as seen at the right).
With burial traditions dating back over a thousand years, the proper laying to rest of the dead is an important aspect of Bosnian culture regardless of religion.This site will attempt to guide you through a summarized history of Bosnian burial culture in order to better emphasize one aspect of the strain placed on Sarajevo’s inhabitants. The various descriptive aspects of a cemetery or memorial--location, layout, size and content--communicate age, purpose, and meaning.
Sarajevo: Honoring the Past
