Tunnel of Hope (Tunnel Museum)

The Tunnel of Hope, also called the Tunnel Museum, lies at Tuneli 1 in Donji Kotorac near Sarajevo Airport, in the municipality of Ilidža, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the 1992-1995 siege the encircled city was cut off from the Bosnian-held territory beyond the airport runway, and in 1993 engineers and volunteers dug a tunnel about 800 metres long beneath the airstrip. It became a lifeline for food, weapons, medicine and people, and also carried fuel and communications. The museum is housed in a family home that stood at the tunnel's entrance, still marked by shell damage. Visitors see a short documentary film, displays of photographs, military equipment and personal items, and a preserved section of the tunnel about 20 metres long, which can be entered by crouching through the narrow passage with its original rails and wooden supports. Outdoor exhibits include a tunnel entrance and some vehicles. The visit takes one to one and a half hours, and guided tours from agencies in Sarajevo often include transport. Bosnian-language and English signage supplements the film. The museum is busiest in late morning, when tour groups arrive from the city, so early opening time or late afternoon often brings fewer people. The site is about 4 km from the Ilidža tram terminus, and the walk along a road is not convenient, so most visitors take a taxi or join an organised tour; return transport should be arranged in advance since taxis are sparse. The museum is a sombre, factual introduction to the siege, appropriate for older children and adults. Opening hours extend to 18:00 in summer, and visitors should confirm times before travelling.