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Walled city of Vratnik Stari grad Vratnik
Fortified old town
Old Vratnik Fort
Nickname: Zidine Vratnika
Map of the Walled city of Vratnik within Sarajevo
Walled city of VratnikWalled city of Vratnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Coordinates: 43°51′45″N 18°26′27″E / 43.8623658°N 18.440702°E / 43.8623658; 18.440702
Country	Bosnia and Herzegovina
Entity	Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Canton	Sarajevo Canton
City	Sarajevo
Municipality	Stari Grad, Sarajevo
Named for	doorway (transl. vrata)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Area code	+387
KONS of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Official name	Old fort of Vratnik, the architectural ensemble
Type	Category 0 monument within the urban ensemble of Sarajevo
Criteria	A, B, C iii.iv., D i.ii.iv, E v., F ii., G v.,
Designated	16 March 2005 (?th session)
Reference no.	05.1-2-269/04-6
State	National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Walled city of Vratnik, also Old Vratnik Fort, is located in Vratnik neighborhood, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It represents urban core within the wider neighbourhood of the same name. Since 2005 the KONS designated walled area of the neighborhood a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

History

Up until the brief but devastating terror-raid of Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1697, when city was sacked and numerous buildings burnt and rest of the city severely damaged, Sarajevo was an open city. This tragic event prompted governor Ahmed-paša Rustempašić Skopljak in 1727, to order Vratnik town and most of its core to be redeveloped into the fortified "walled city".

Ahmed-paša brought five fortress architects from Dubrovnik to supervise the construction. After it was completed in 1739, there were three tower-gates (Sirokac, Ploca and Visegrad) and five forts. Bijela/White and Zuta/Yellow fortresses are the most significant ones. According to his decree, the defense wall was supposed to be "one-hour walk long, two yards thick, and ten yards tall."

Legend has it that Vratnik got its name due to fact that it symbolised the "doors of Sarajevo". The fort doors, which were made out of oak wood, were closed at each sundown and again opened at sunrise. Sultan Mehmed Fatih entered through these doors and had a white mosque with sahat-kula that was built in his honor. He used White fortress as camp inside the old Vratnik town.

The fortresses, defensive walls and the gates and towers have been important symbols for the population living in the neighborhood and its vicinity. Today the Martyr’s Memorial cemetery is another example of historical and symbolic values ingrained into the neighborhood history.

• Inside Vratnik walls lies an old town
• Beautiful Bosnian architecture
• Tight and steep street spaces
• Fortification walls and Sirokac Tower (May 1987)
• Mišćina mosque (2010)

Description

Vratnik perimeter walls

Gates and Towers

Višegrad Gate

Višegradska kapija (transl. Visegrad Gate) was the main entry point to town and is one of the three city gate-towers in the Vratnik Old Town with the other two being Sirokac Tower and Ploca Tower. It was built between 1727 and 1739, in limestone and a special Bosnian stone "hreša" with roof shingles. Traffic went east via the main road towards Višegrad (thus the name) and continued further to the east towards Istanbul.

Širokac Gate and Tower

Kapija Širokac (transl. Širokac Gate) is one of the three gate-towers in the Vratnik Old Town. Širokac Gate, part of the reconstructed portion of the old defense walls of Vratnik town in Sarajevo.

Ploča Gate and Tower

Kapija Ploča (transl. Ploca Tower) is one of the three gate-towers in the Vratnik Old Town. The Alija Izetbegović Museum was opened on 19 October 2007 and is located in the Vratnik Kapija towers Ploča and Širokac. The museum is a commemoration to the influence and body of work of Alija Izetbegović, the first president of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Visitors are able to walk from one tower to the next along the chemins de ronde.

Citadel, fort and bastions

• Forts
• White Fortress from downtown Sarajevo
• Yellow Fort

White Citadel

Bijela Tabija (transl. White Citadel) is a cannon bastion/fortress which also served to accommodate soldiers, and it is a part of the Old Town "Vratnik". It is assumed to have been built at the site of a small medieval town "Hodidjed" (central fortress of the Vrhbosna Parish). The fortress overlooks Sarajevo with the panoramic views of the eastern entrance to Sarajevo, the Miljacka River canyon and the city itself. The White Fortress was renovated and expanded several times. The present-day structure dates back to the Austro-Hungarian period. It served as a dungeon, barrack, munitions storage, a treasury, as well as the protection against the raid of Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1697, and defense fortress in battle against occupation by the Austro-Hungarian ruler in 1878. An esteemed local architect, Zlatko Ugljen has developed a conceptual reconstruction project. According to his idea where the site would be used as a theatre/music stage in the summer season. Some reports date the fortress to be built as far back as 1550.

Yellow Fort

Žuta Tabija (transl. Yellow Bastion; or Yellow Fort) is a cannon fort at Jekovac. It was built close to the Jajce Barracks and the Jekovac water reservoir. It served as one of the defense points against the Austro-Hungarian troops in 1878. The fortress was damaged and rebuilt several times. The most recent renovation took place in 1998.

Strošićki Bastion

Strošićka Tabija (transl. Strošićki Bastion) is located on the northwestern part of the Vratnik fort. Essentially the shape is trapezium, with the surface of 367m². Two parallel sides are 25 meters long and 14m, and the other two 18m and 21 meters. Strošićka bastion was built on steep terrain, and the preserved height of the walls on the northeastern side is 3m, and on the north 8m.

Bastion on Ravne Bakije

Tabija na Ravnim Bakijama (transl. Bastion on Ravne Bakije) is located in the far northern part of the fort, and the area is not easily accessible.

Bastion on Zmajevac

Tabija na Zmajevcu (transl. Bastion on Zmajevac) is also located in the far northern part of the fort, and the area is not easily accessible.

Jajce barracks main building

Jajce kasarna (transl. Jajce barracks) is the name of the former Eugene of Savoy barracks in Sarajevo. Barracks were built in 1914 for the need of the Austro-Hungarian army, and name "Jajce Barracks" carries from 1915 when one Austro-Hungarian military hospital was moved to the Barracks.

Heritage designation and protection

The Walled city of Vratnik, with its perimeter walls, fortresses, watchtowers, city gates, and old Bosnian architecture, is designated as the Old Vratnik Fort, the architectural ensemble a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina by KONS in 2005.

See also

• Walled city of Jajce
• Walled town of Počitelj

References

1. ^ sarajevo-tourism.com (16 September 2015). "Vratnik town walls with tower-gates".
2. nezavisne.com (16 September 2015). "Mahala u kojoj kuće imaju retrovizore".
3. "Museum Alija Izetbegovic". visitmycountry.net. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
4. klix.ba (16 September 2015). "Bijela tabija: Impozantno utvrđenje koje prkosi vremenu".
5. "Žuta tabija | Furaj.ba". www.furaj.ba. Archived from the original on 2014-07-08.
6. ^ kulturno-nasljedje.com (16 September 2015). "Old town Vratnik (history with maps)".
7. "Jajce Barracks Military Complex, Sarajevo". Archived from the original on 2016-03-06.
8. Commission to preserve national monuments (16 September 2015). "Old Vratnik Fort, the architectural ensemble". kons.gov.ba. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2015.

v t e List of fortifications in  Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fortifications: walled cities & castles	Bijela Tabija Bjelaj Fortress Blagaj Fortress Bobovac Bočac Fort Borač Castle Bosanska Krupa Fortress Bužim Castle Captain's Tower, Bihać (walled town) Daorson (walled town) Dubrovnik Fazlagić Tower Fortress of Doboj Glamoč Fortress Gradačac Castle Greben Fort Hodidjed Hutovo Fortress Jajce Fortress Jajce, Walled town Kamengrad Fort Kastel Fortress Ključ Castle (Gacko) Ključ Castle (Ključ) Komotin Castle Kotor Castle Kučlat Ljubuški Fortress Maglaj Fortress Momčilo's Tower Old town of Visoki Orašac Fort Ostrožac Castle Ostrovica Castle Pavlovac Castle Počitelj Citadel Počitelj, Walled town Prusac Fortress Smajilagić's Citadel, Upper Town Samobor Castle Sokol (Osat) Sokol (Gračanica) Sokograd (Pliva) Sokolac Fortress Srebrenik Castle Teočak Castle Tešanj Castle Travnik Castle Velika Kladuša Castle Black Queen's Tower Vranduk Vratnik, Walled town Vrnograč Castle Vujadin's Citadel Zvečaj Fortress Zvornik Castle Žuta Tabija
See also: List of National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina

v t e Sarajevo
History of Sarajevo	Ancient times Middle Ages Early Ottoman Late Ottoman Sacking of Sarajevo Austria-Hungary Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Yugoslav era 1984 Winter Olympics Modern era Siege of Sarajevo Mayors (City Council) Timeline
Municipalities	City proper Centar Novi Grad Novo Sarajevo Stari Grad Urban area Ilidža Vogošća Istočna Ilidža Istočno Novo Sarajevo Istočni Stari Grad Metro area Hadžići Ilijaš Trnovo FBiH RS Pale Sokolac Breza Kiseljak Kreševo Visoko
Neighborhoods	Alipašino Polje Babića Bašća Baščaršija Čengić Vila Dobrinja Grbavica Džidžikovac Hrasno Koševo Mejtaš Marijin Dvor Otoka Višnjik Vratnik
Buildings and landmarks	Ambassadors' Alley ARIA Centar Avaz Twist Tower Bijela Tabija Bosmal City Center Clock Tower Despić House Eternal flame Goat's Bridge Greek-Bosnian Friendship Building Latin Bridge Morića Han Presidency Building Sarajevo Rose Sarajevo Tunnel Sarajevo Zoo Šeher-Ćehaja Bridge Skakavac Waterfall Svrzo's House UNITIC Towers Vidovdan Heroes Chapel Vraca Memorial Park Suada and Olga bridge Vrelo Bosne
Places of worship	Muslim Ali Pasha's Emperor's Ferhat-Pasha's Gazi Husrev-Bey's Istiqlal King Fahd's Hadžijska Catholic Sarajevo Cathedral St. Anthony's St. Joseph's Orthodox Serbian Orthodox Cathedral Sarajevo Old Orthodox Church Church of the Holy Transfiguration Jewish Sarajevo Synagogue Sarajevo Haggadah
Culture	Sarajevo National Theatre Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra Sarajevo Youth Theatre Sarajevo War Theatre Kamerni teatar 55 Vijećnica Gazi Husrev-beg Library Dom Mladih Bosnian Cultural Center International Center for Children and Youth Meeting Point Cinema HKD Napredak East West Theatre Company Jelićeva Theatre Open Stage Obala
Galleries and museums	Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina National Museum National Gallery Museum of Literature and Theater Arts Sarajevo City Museum War Childhood Museum Duplex Art Gallery Gallery 11/07/95 Collegium Artisticum Sarajevo Winter Olympics Museum
Education	Public University of Sarajevo Academy of Fine Arts Academy of Performing Arts Faculty of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Political Science Faculty of Law Music Academy Private International Burch University International University of Sarajevo Sarajevo School of Science and Technology
Sports venues	Stadiums Koševo Stadium Grbavica Stadium Otoka Stadium Indoor arenas Skenderija Hall Zetra Olympic Hall
Transport	Sarajevo International Airport Sarajevo main railway station Sarajevo Tramway
Streets	Ferhadija street Marshal Tito street Sarači street Trg Oslobođenja - Alija Izetbegović Vilsonovo Šetalište
Events	Baščaršija Nights Sarajevo Winter Festival Jazz Fest Sarajevo Sarajevo Film Festival Balkan Photo Festival Pop-Up! Sarajevo WARM Festival Ilidža Folk Music Festival Al Jazeera Balkans Documentary Film Festival Pravo Ljudski Film Festival Sarajevo Youth Film Festival Sarajevo StreeAt Food Festival OPEN Fest Sarajevo MESS International Theatre Festival Sarajevo Pride Sarajevo Chamber Music Festival Sarajevo Beer Festival Sarajevo International Guitar Festival Ballet Fest Sarajevo Sarajevo Ramadan Festival Spiritus Progenitum Bookstan Sarajevo Half Marathon VIVA Film Festival Beton Fest Ballet Fest Sarajevo Sarajevo Street Art Festival Sarajevo Irish Festival Open University of Sarajevo SOS Design Festival FEDU Smile of Sarajevo Theatre Festival PitchWise Festival Juventafest InterDance Fest Sarajevo Evenings of Music
Category

v t e National monuments of  Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cultural–historical heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina as designated by Commission to preserve national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in accordance to Annex 8 of Dayton Agreement For official site names and detailed information, see each article or the List of National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Buildings and structures	Buildings Vijećnica Gimnazija Mostar Sarajevo train station Morića Han Gazi Husrev-bey Library Gazi Husrev-bey Bezistan Gazi Husrev-bey Hamam Brusa Bezistan Kino Apolo Sarajevo National Theatre National Museum of BiH Bunkers & underground structures ARK/D-0 Željava Air Base Bridges Stari Most Kriva Ćuprija Kosor Bridge Stara Ćuprija Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge Kozija Ćuprija Šeher-Ćehaja Bridge Skenderija Bridge Roman bridge at Ilidža Latin Bridge Drvenija Bridge Ćumurija Bridge Čobanija Bridge Bridge over Žepa Stara Ćuprija Glavatičevo Veliki Most Perići Arslanagića Ćuprija Karađoz-begova Ćuprija Inat Ćuprija Klepci Ćuprija Djevojačka Ćuprija Stara Ćuprija Duman Ovčiji Brod Ćuprija Studenci Clock-towers Počiteljska sahat-kula Fočanska‎ sahat-kula Livanjska sahat-kula Sarajevska (Baščarsijska) sahat-kula Travnička (Gornja Čaršija) sahat-kula Travnička (Musala) sahat-kula Fountains Sebilj
Medieval fortifications castles,walled cities, open & market towns	Royal court Royal court in Sutjeska Visoko Bobovac Jajce Open & market towns Visoko Vrhbosna Drijeva Prača Walled cities Bobovac Jajce Livno Počitelj Vratnik Zvornik Castles & citadels Bijela Tabija Blagaj Bobovac Bočac Fortress Borač Castle Bosanska Krupa Fortress Bužim Castle Počitelj Fortress of Doboj Glamoč Fortress Gradačac Castle Greben Fort Hodidjed Hutovo Fort Jajce Citadel Kamengrad Fort Kastel Fortress Ključ Castle (Gacko) Ključ Castle (Ključ) Komotin Castle Kotor Hrvoje's Fort Ljubuški Fortress Maglaj Fortress Momčilo's Citadel Old town of Visoki Orašac Fort Ostrožac Castle Ostrovica Castle Prusac Fortress Samobor Castle Sokol kod Osat Grada Sokol kod Gračanice Sokol na Plivi Sokolac Citadel Srebrenik Fortress Stolac Fortress (Vidoški Grad) Teočak Castle Tešanj Castle Travnik Castle Velika Kladuša Castle Visuć Citadel (Black Queen's Citadel) Vranduk Vrnograč Castle Vujadin's Citadel Zvečaj Fortress Zvornik Castle Žuta Tabija Odžaci (towers) Šurkovića odžak (tower) Captain's Citadel Fazlagić odžak (tower) Redžep-pašina odžak (tower) Smajilagića odžak (tower)
Architectural ensembles	Vranduk Old Town of Mostar Blagaj Baščaršija Počitelj Džidžikovac Čekaluša street Vratnik old walled neighborhood
Natural & cultural-historical ensembles / Cultural landscape	Stolac Jajce Vrelo Bune Blidinje Lukomir Blatačko Lake
Industrial architectural ensembles	Old Marijin Dvor power station Old Hrid power station Small hydro power plant Bihać on Jarak in Bihać (a.k.a. Hydro power plant „Jarak“, or „Canal Una“) Koševo chimney
Traditional household	Despić House Svrzo's House Muslibegović House Bišćević House Velagićevina Begovina
Religious sites, properties and places of worship	Islamic Begova Aladža Mosque Muslihudin Čekrekčija Mosque Arnaudija Ferhadija Fethija Mosque Alipašina Careva Dukatareva Karadžozbegova Koski Catholic Sarajevo Cathedral Kraljeva Sutjeska Monastery Monastery of St. Catharine Monastery of the Holy Spirit Church of St John Church of Saint Anthony of Padua Orthodox Old Church Church of St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Sarajevo Dobrićevo Monastery Lomnica Monastery Papraća Monastery Rmanj Monastery Judaic Old Temple New Temple Ashkenazi Synagogue Il Kal Grande Bosnian Church Stećci Other (Temple of Mithras) Jajački Mithraeum Konjički Mithraeum
Antiquity	Illyrians Daorson Desilo Roman Mogorjelo Berginium Malvesa Serbinum Tasovčići Early Christianity Cim
Bronze Age	Butmir Culture
Memorials, cemeteries and necropolis	Memorials Heroes of Yugoslavia monuments Vraca Memorial Kozara Memorial Partisan Memorial Mostar Partisan Memorial Livno Bridge on the Neretva Lav Cemetery Eternal flame Moshe Danon's shrine Necropolis for the victims of Fascism Cemeteries Old Jewish Cemetery St. John Alifakovac Kovači Koševo Lav Cemetery Türbe mausoleums Turbe Vizier's grave Travnik Turbeta Sijerčića Semiz Ali-pašino Turbe Sijerčić Turbes Tombs, Crypts & catacombs Hrvoje Vukčić crypt Batalo's tomb Necropolis Stećci Radimlja
Movable property/Other	Sarajevo Haggadah Zmijanje embroidery Mural Zuke Džumhura
World Heritage Sites	Stari Most Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge Stećci
Related topics Archives, museums, etc.	Archives Ottoman Archives fund of the Gazi Husrev-Bey Library Archives of Bosnia and Herzegovina Archives of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Archives of Republika Srpska Museums List of museums in Bosnia and Herzegovina Museum of Sarajevo National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina The Herzegovina Museum Museum of Sarajevo Museum of the Old Bridge Museum of the National Struggle for Liberation Museum of Modern Art of Republika Srpska Museum of Old Herzegovina Sarajevo War Tunnel Svrzo House Despić House Museum of the First Proletarian Brigade, Rudo
Shared with Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia

• City walls in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• 16th-century architecture
• Ottoman architecture in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Stari Grad, Sarajevo
• Fortified settlements
• Populated places of the medieval Bosnian state