Veliki Park (Sarajevo)
 | This article may incorporate text from a large language model. (June 2025) |
| Veliki Park | |
|---|---|
 Veliki Park in Sarajevo | |
 | |
| Type | Public park |
| Location | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Coordinates | 43°51′36″N 18°24′59″E / 43.86006°N 18.41646°E |
| Created | 1888 |
| Operated by | Municipality of Centar Sarajevo |
| Status | Open year-round |
Veliki Park (Bosnian: Veliki Park, meaning "Great Park") is the largest public park in central Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Situated in the Centar municipality, it serves as a green space.
History
[edit]The area now known as Veliki Park was originally the site of the Čekrekčija cemetery, a Muslim burial ground established in the 16th century. The cemetery was founded by Mustafa Muslihudin Čekrekčija, a notable benefactor who also commissioned the construction of the Čekrekčija Mosque in 1526.[1]
In the late 19th century, during the Austro-Hungarian administration, urban reforms led to the transformation of the cemetery into a public park. The conversion was part of broader efforts to modernize Sarajevo's urban landscape. The park was officially established in 1888, adopting the English landscape garden style.[2][circular reference]
Features
[edit]
Several historical elements are preserved within the park, including some of the original nišani (Ottoman-style tombstones) from the former Čekrekčija cemetery, offering a glimpse into the area's past.[3]
Today, Veliki Park remains one of the largest green spaces in central Sarajevo, covering an area of approximately 3.3 hectares.[4]
Memorials
[edit]Veliki Park is home to significant memorials commemorating the victims of the Bosnian War:
- Memorial to the Murdered Children of Besieged Sarajevo: Unveiled in 2009, this monument honors the children who lost their lives during the Siege of Sarajevo (1992–1996). Designed by sculptor Mensud Kečo, the memorial features a glass sculpture symbolizing a mother protecting her child, set within a bronze ring crafted from shell casings collected from the city.[5]
- "Nermine, dođi" Sculpture: This poignant artwork commemorates the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, depicting the moment when a father calls out for his son, Nermin, before both were executed.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ ""Tarih": Veliki park u Sarajevu". Biserje (in Bosnian). 7 April 2021. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ "Veliki park". Wikipedia (German) (in German). Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ ""Tarih": Veliki park u Sarajevu". Biserje (in Bosnian). 7 April 2021. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ ""Tarih": Veliki park u Sarajevu". Biserje (in Bosnian). 7 April 2021. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ "Sarajevo Monuments and A Culture of Remembrance". Balkan Diskurs. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ "A City that Doesn't Forget: Sarajevo Thirty Years after the War". Society of Architectural Historians. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
