World War One Sites - The NETWORLD Database

"Konak" governoral residence in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

“Konak” was built in 1869 as a residence for Ottoman governor of Bosnian vilayet. In Austro-Hungarian period Konak was also used as a governor’s residence. Immediately after assassination, mortally wounded  archduke Franz Ferdinand and countess Sophie Chotek were brought to Konak, but they both deceased along the way. In the next days, their posthumous remains were taken from Konak, and then sent to Austria for burial.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo

Type of WWI-heritage

  • Non-Military Site of World War One Relevance

Dimensions

cca. 26,70 x 24,52 m

State of repair/preservation

Well preserved

Historical WWI Context

The residence was built by Topal Šerif Osman paša (1861-1869), and is known amongst the people as "Konak." The building located in the Sarajevo neighborhood of Bistrik was completed in November 1869 and during its time it was one of the most beautiful and tallest objects. It was constructed by Franje Linardov and Franjo Moise from Split. During Austro-Hungarian rule, in 1906, some architectural work was undertaken on the building and a courtyard with two stone lion figures was built in its close proximity. Immediately after the Sarajevo assassination, lieutenant-general Potiorek ordered the driver to drive to his nearby official residence, the Konak. En route it became apparent both Sophie and Franz Ferdinand were hit.” Sophie was dead on arrival at the Konak, and Franz Ferdinand died approximately fifteen minutes later, shortly after 11:00. One room of "Konak" held the posthumous remains of Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sofia, immediately before their posthumous remains were sent to Austria for burial.

State of legal protection

Declared national monument by Commission for protection of cultural heritage, acknowledged by other heritage agencies.

Kind of cultural use of WWI

Konak is part of the “Sarajevo assassination” guided tour.

Opening

Closed for visitors.

Entrance Fee

No information available

Information regarding cities, villages, other touristic attractions (non-WWI) nearby

City of Sarajevo

Accomodation

Public Transport

Bike, Car, Taxi, Minibus, Bus, Tramway, Trolleybus.

Further information sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Archduke_Franz_Ferdinand_of_Austria

https://bs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konak_na_Bistriku

https://bs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zemaljska_vlada

http://h.etf.unsa.ba/vmuzej-atentata/index.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/articles/First-World-War-centenary-Franz-Ferdinands-final-journey/

http://old.kons.gov.ba/main.php?mod=spomenici&extra=Odluke&action=view&lang=1&id=2982

Lyon, James, “The Shots That Started World War One:The Street Corner that Changed the World: A Sunny Sunday In Sarajevo (Part 3)”, https://m.warhistoryonline.com/articles/street-corner.html

Muzej Sarajeva, Muzej “Sarajevo 1878-1918”, http://www.muzejsarajeva.ba/bs/dani-kantona-dan-noc-muzejadepandansi/muzej-sarajevo

BOGIĆEVIĆ, Vojislav, Sarajevski atentat – Stenogram Glavne rasprave protiv Gavrila Principa i drugova, Izdanje Državnog arhiva BiH, Sarajevo, 1954.ž

BOGIČEVIĆ, Vojislav, Mlada Bosna – Pisma i prilozi, Svjetlost, Sarajevo, 1954.

DEDIJER, Vladimir, Sarajevo 1914., Prosveta, Beograd, 1966.

Museums Private Collections

Location

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