Svrzo House (Svrzina kuća)

Svrzo House (Svrzina kuća) stands at Glođina 8 in the Sarajevo old town, Bosnia and Herzegovina, near Baščaršija. It is a preserved Ottoman-era urban dwelling, dating from the 18th century with later additions, and takes its name from the Svrzo family, who lived here for generations. The house is organised in the traditional manner of a wealthy Muslim family home, divided into the haremluk, the private quarter used by women and the family, and the selamluk, the reception area for male guests. The two sections are separated by a courtyard with a well, paved in stone and shaded by a vine, and a wooden gallery runs along the upper floors. Inside, wooden ceilings, built-in cupboards, low divans, brass coffee sets, embroidered textiles and carpets show the furnishings of a Bosnian Muslim household. Rooms include a kitchen with a hearth, a reception hall (divanhana) and sleeping rooms. A small adjacent building shows items of daily life. The house is run by the Museum of Sarajevo and was restored for museum use after damage over the 20th century and the 1992-1995 siege. The curatorial approach is immersive, using room settings rather than text-heavy labels, and guides often explain how the household worked, including customs of hospitality and the separation of public and private life. The architecture combines timber framing with stone and plaster walls, steep roofs and small windows facing the courtyard rather than the street, a design choice that protected family privacy. The house is small, and a visit usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. Opening hours differ between sources, so visitors can phone ahead on +387 33 475 740. Admission is about 5 KM.