The city hall of Sarajevo is located near
Bascarsija on the site of the Mustaj-pasha’s
mejdan and represents the most beautiful and
representative object from Austria-Hungarian
period built in pseudo-Moorish style. Majority
objects from Austria-Hungarian period were
built in this style. The first project was drafted
by Karl Parzik, but minister Benjamin Kalaj
didn't like it, thus, he entrusted Alexander
Wittek to draft a new one. Wittek used
mosque of Sultan Hassan II as a model for
this project, so he traveled to Cairo twice.

Since this man (allegedly because of the project) got mentally sick and committed a suicide, the
work on the project was continued by Ćiril M. Iveković in 1894. The draft and realization of the
project lasted from 1892 to 1894. The building was formally opened in 1896.During Serbian
siege of Sarajevo from 1992 to 1995, the City Hall was shelled several times by JNA (Yugoslav
National Army) and later on by Republika Srpska Army. According to some sources,
phosphoric bombs with high temperature of burning were used for shelling the Hall

August 25 and 26 1992, the City Hall was burnt, along with Catalogue of the BiH National
and University Library and 80 percent of librarian fund, and documents which were
evidences of BiH history. Interior of the City Hall was completely ruined in fire. The first
phase of reconstruction is still underway. Limited reconstruction of interior, where only
certain details were restored, has been just finished. Further phases of reconstruction are
not familiar.