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. A
nationwide 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The immediate political change made by the Austrians was to do away with what were then regarded as outdated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 Hapsburg 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.
See also
★
History of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1878–1918)
External links
★
Blog about Sarajevo (1878-1918)