The Sebilj is the wooden, pavilion-style drinking fountain at the centre of Baščaršija Square (Pigeon Square) in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is the best-known symbol of the old town. The original was commissioned in 1753 by the Ottoman governor Mehmed-paša Kukavica; the present structure is a reconstruction designed in 1891 by the Austro-Hungarian architect Alexander Wittek in a pseudo-Moorish style after the earlier fountain was removed. A sebilj is a public fountain where water was once given free to passers-by, and the carved wooden canopy with its copper-clad roof, eight-sided plan and decorative arches sits over a stone basin with a fresh water spout. Visitors see the fountain surrounded by the square's famous pigeons; the old custom is to buy a small cup of corn and feed them, and the birds readily land on arms and shoulders for photographs. The surrounding square is lined with cafés, pastry shops and the entrances to Sarači and the copper-making lanes, so most people use the Sebilj as a meeting point and starting place for a walk through the bazaar. A visit takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes, longer with a coffee on the square. The best photo angles are from the Sarači end looking back at the fountain with the minaret of the Baščaršija mosque behind, and from the steps by the nearby Brusa Bezistan side for a wider view with the pigeons in flight. Early morning light is soft and the square is nearly empty, while midday and summer evenings bring tour groups and crowds around the fountain. Drinking the fountain's water is a local tradition and a saying holds that anyone who drinks from the Sebilj will return to Sarajevo. The square is free and open at all times.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open-air, accessible at all times |
| Typical visit | 15-20 minutes |
| Best time | Early morning for photos without crowds |
| Getting there | Walk; at the centre of Baščaršija, 5 minutes from the Latin Bridge |
| Address | Baščaršija Square (Pigeon Square), 71000 Sarajevo |
Location
Baščaršija Square (Pigeon Square), 71000 Sarajevo
43.8598, 18.4312 View on map
Highlights
- Carved wooden pavilion fountain from the Austro-Hungarian era reconstruction
- Feeding pigeons on Pigeon Square
- Drinking from the fountain, said to guarantee a return visit
- Photo angle looking back from Sarači street
- Starting point for walks into the bazaar
Tips for visiting
- Visit at sunrise or early morning for photos without crowds.
- Pigeon feed is sold in small cups from nearby stalls for about 1 KM.
- Treat it as a meeting point: locals often say 'at the Sebilj'.
- Keep bags closed in crowded hours, as in any busy tourist square.
- Combine with a coffee at a square-side café and a walk along Sarači.
When to visit
Early morning for empty photos; midday and summer evenings are the busiest.
Accessibility
The square is flat and pedestrianised with cobbled paving, and the fountain is reachable at street level. Wheelchair users can approach it, although the stone surface is uneven.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Sebilj take?
About 15 to 20 minutes for photos and the pigeons, longer if stopping for coffee on the square.
Is the Sebilj the original 18th-century fountain?
No. The original dated from 1753, while the current wooden fountain is a reconstruction designed in 1891 by Alexander Wittek.
Is it worth it for kids?
Yes. Children generally enjoy feeding the pigeons, and the square is pedestrianised and free.
Can visitors drink the water?
Yes, the fountain runs drinking water, and local custom says drinking from it means a return to Sarajevo.