Sniper Alley is not a single, precisely defined landmark. This nickname was given to the main Zmaja od Bosne street and its continuation, Bulevar Meše Selimovića, during the Siege of Sarajevo.

Today, it is a busy, ordinary boulevard with trams running along it. Without any knowledge of its history, you might walk right past it without it catching your attention.

The best way to experience it is to take a short walk around the Marijin Dvor neighbourhood, combined with a visit to the Historical Museum.

Why was the street called Sniper Alley?

During the siege of Sarajevo between 1992 and 1996, this wide, open avenue was exposed to fire from positions held by the Bosnian Serb army in nearby Grbavica and on the surrounding hillsides.

Yet people had no choice but to continue using the street. It led to residential areas, important institutions and on towards the airport.

They therefore ran across exposed sections, took cover behind makeshift barriers or used UN armoured vehicles as mobile shelter.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia later confirmed that the sniper attacks on Sarajevo’s civilians were part of a campaign aimed at instilling fear among the population.

The exact number of victims on this avenue itself is unknown. The statistics often cited relate to snipers across the whole of Sarajevo, not just to Sniper Alley.

What you’ll see today

Don’t expect a memorial, an entrance gate or a marked tourist trail. Most of the damaged buildings have been repaired, and only a few façades still bear traces of the gunfire.

The most interesting area is around the yellow Holiday Hotel, where foreign journalists stayed during the siege.

Nearby stand the Parliament building, the twin UNITIC high-rises, the National Museum and the History Museum. It was precisely this area that was one of the most dangerous parts of the entire street.

Before setting off on your walk, we recommend taking a look at the Sniper Alley photo archive. Period photographs and the photographers’ stories will help put this street – which today appears quite ordinary – into context.

Recommended walking route

Start at the Holiday Hotel at the Marijin Dvor stop. Take a look at the Parliament building and continue past the National and History Museums westwards to the Socijalno tram stop.

The route on Google Maps is approximately 1.5 km long and takes 20 to 30 minutes to walk without stopping.

The historical context is best explained by the permanent exhibition ‘Besieged Sarajevo’ at the Historical Museum. Through photographs, documents and everyday objects, it illustrates the daily lives of residents without electricity, water or heating.

The museum is open daily from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm, and an adult ticket costs 10 bam. Allow approximately 1½ to 2 hours for the entire route, including a visit to the museum.

Another site commemorating the siege of the city is the Tunnel of Salvation, although this is located on the other side of the airport.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Sarajevo.