Sarajevo - Crossroads of Change

The Balkans area has been a cultural crossroads since ancient times. Researchers have established a presence in the area now known as the town of Sarajevo since 2400 BC at a site called Butmir. This is one of the largest Neolithic sites in the Balkans region which yielded indications of cultural development through the houses, stone weapons, and ceramic pottery found there. Sarajevo is situated in the area of Sarajevo plain, surrounded by mountains (Bjelasnica and Igman) from the southwest, by Trebevic from the southeast, and mountains and inter-valley headlands to the north and northwest. Eventually, the Romans entered the area and built several settlements - of which Aquae Sulphurae was the most well-known, but they did not establish a significant presence in the region.

This trend appeared to continue into the Middle Ages as not much is known about this period. However, the Slavs arrived in Bosnia in the 7th century and during the 12th century the area became part of Hungary. Around this time, there was an increase in the development of the area as a cathedral dedicated to St. Peter was built in 1238 but little physical evidence of these buildings were ever found.

In 1450, Sarajevo as it is known today began as the Ottoman Empire conquered the region. Mosques - over 100 by the 16th century - and castles were built during this time and many Christians converted to Islam. The city flourished and became second in power only to Istanbul, but it was not to last. 

As the Ottoman Empire crumbled, there were various attempts to free Bosnia from Ottoman control, but even the razing of the city by the Duke of Savoy in 1697 did not gain independence. However, in 1878 the Austro-Hungarian Empire took control of the area and once again Sarajevo flourished. The past fires and destruction of the city allowed architects to rebuild the city in Victorian fashion - which resulted in the contrast of architectural styles within the city. Factories were built and Latin script was used for the first time. This all came to an end, however, with the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in 1914 which set off WWI.

After WWI, Bosnia joined the Kingdom of Yugoslavia but during WWII the Axis powers took over the area and formed the state of Croatia, which included Sarajevo. During this time period, there is documentation of the persecution of Serbs by the Ustaše (the Croatian Revolutionary Movement) in addition to the opposition voiced by a group of Muslims. The end of WWII brings us to the former Yugoslav Republics and the modern history of Sarajevo. 

Sarajevo has changed nationalities so many times of the years, it is not difficult to see why a national identity is so difficult to define. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism (to a degree) all have a presence in the city and with them, different cultures, morals, and values yet they remained the constant factors as the area changed hands time after time. It is interesting to note that little religious tension arose during the Ottoman empire's rule. They chose a policy of religious tolerance, as long as it didn't interfere with the Empire's functioning. However, once Sarajevo became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, tensions began to flare just as the city began to Westernize. 

This is not to say Western presence causes religious strife, but rather a lack of tolerance. The West was  - and remains today - predominantly Christian in morals, values, and religion whereas the Ottoman Empire allowed many religions to flourish and have a significant presence in the city. Religious persecution was forbidden for centuries while Europe struggled with persecution even amongst Christians into the 1900s. This sudden change in religious tolerance - or rather the acceptance of persecution amongst religions - appears to have set fractures into the very things that helped define Bosnia and her people.

Sources:
http://www.sarajevo.ba/en/stream.php?kat=78
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/293938b2-afcd-11e3-9cd1-00144feab7de.html#axzz2x8dNGc4r
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Sarajevo
http://lostislamichistory.com/non-muslim-rights-in-the-ottoman-empire/