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Bascarsija is an old Sarajevan market-place, historical and cultural centre of Sarajevo city. Bascarsija was built in 15th century, when Isa-bey Ishakovic had founded entire city. Word Bascarsija is derived from Turkish word „baš“, which means „main“, thus the whole word „Baščaršija“ means „main market-place“. Bascarsija is twice smaller than it used to be, because of the fire in 19th century. Communist authorities wanted to destroy it completely in 1940's, but fortunately, they gave up from that plan. Bascarsija is located on north Miljacka riverside, Old Town municipality. There are several important historical objects in Bascarsija, such as Gazi Husref-bey's mosque and Tower Clock. Today, Bascarsija is main tourist attraction of the city.

Isa Bey had the first inn and shops built here but, between 1521 and 1541, it was Gazi Husrev Bey, Sarajevo’s greatest benefactor and patron, who built numerous facilities, like Bey’s Mosque, a medresa, library, tekke, public bath, covered bazaar, Tašlihan (inn), public kitchen, plus more than 200 shops….

The construction of such facilities saw the development of trades and, by the end of the 16th century and beginning of the 17th, there were 46 separate bazaars which were all named after the guilds operating within them. Some of these trades now feature as street names in Baščaršija.

During its golden age, Baščaršija was not only Sarajevo’s economic center but also the largest trading hub in the Balkans, with approximately 12,000 shops and even trading colonies set up by merchants from Florence, Venice, Dubrovnik….

Baščaršija’s golden age came to an abrupt end when the Habsburg prince, Eugene of Savoy, waged a campaign of destruction all the way to Sarajevo, burning down most of the city.

Čaršija was rebuilt but again damaged by fire in 1857. This was when the current demarcation between the greatly reduced Baščaršija and Ferhadija St. became established, marking the spot where East and West meet.

Baščaršija Square has been adorned by Sebilj (a kiosk-shaped public fountain) since 1754. The original structure, which was commissioned by Mehmed Pasha Kukavica, was destroyed in a fire about a century later and then the current Sebilj was erected in 1913, as designed by the architect, Alexander Wittek.