Latin Bridge

The Latin Bridge (Latinska ćuprija) crosses the Miljacka river on Obala Kulina bana in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, a five-minute walk from Baščaršija. It is a graceful stone bridge of Ottoman origin with several arches, and it is internationally known as the site near which Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated on 28 June 1914, an event that helped trigger the First World War. A small museum, formerly Schiller's delicatessen, stands at the corner near the bridge and recounts the story of the assassination, while a commemorative plaque marks the event. Visitors usually spend 15 to 20 minutes here: crossing the bridge, reading the plaque, looking at the Miljacka and the quay buildings, and taking photographs from the riverbanks. The bridge is free and open at all times, as is the riverside promenade, which links directly with the Vijećnica and the main pedestrian streets. The most atmospheric time is the morning, when the light picks out the stone arches and there are few people; midday and early afternoon bring tour groups, as the stop is a staple of walking tours. The best photo angle is from the quay looking along the river toward the bridge, with the minarets of the old town behind. Evening light is also attractive, and the bridge is pleasantly lit after dark. The nearby riverside cafés offer a place to sit. Anyone interested in the history can pair this stop with the museums and exhibitions in Sarajevo that cover the siege of the city and the Austro-Hungarian period. The bridge itself is modest in size, so many people combine it with the neighbouring sights rather than visiting it alone.