Every country, every city has its own special place: a place of friendly meetings and sweet dates, romantic walks, and festive events; a place where the rhythm of the city life beats; a place of a historical event that evokes memories; a place filled with the amazing atmosphere and unique local flavor. In Sarajevo, such an astonishing place with a fabulous vibe, aromas of traditional Bosnian cuisine, and lively conversations is the old Markale Square (Pijaca Markale), which is always crowded and noisy.
In the Middle Ages, the routes of merchants who carried their goods from the cities of the Adriatic coast to the lands of the Ottoman Empire, and later Austria-Hungary, converged here. Over the centuries, trade was flourishing, disputes were arising, goods were being changed and sold. Little has changed since then. Markale Square is still a shopping area with many expensive boutiques and small cheap shops, as well as street stands, where you can hear the voices of friendly traders and foreign tourists looking for traditional souvenirs. Along the entire perimeter of the square, there are many cozy cafes and restaurants serving excellent national dishes. Try "Shepherd Purse Cheese", whose recipe has been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years, dried lamb "stelja" and, of course, the famous Bosnian starter "aivar" made from sweet peppers with aromatic eggplants. Drink a glass of rakia or local herbal liqueur, and then go for a walk to buy souvenirs for friends and family.
While enjoying the peacefulness, do not forget to pay tribute to the defenders of civilians. A few years ago, Markale Square was at an epicenter of hostilities: shots and explosions of artillery mines were heard everywhere. Today, you can learn more about this by reading the names of the heroes and the dates of the tragic events on the memorial plaques installed on the road.