World War One Sites - The NETWORLD Database
"Ostbahn" narrow gauge railway in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina
This narrow gauge railway line built in 1906 from Sarajevo to Uvac on then Ottoman border, and to Vardište on the Serbian border was operated by the army and extensively used for military purposes, especially in the first two years of WWI. The line was abolished in 1978.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eastern Bosnia
Type of WWI-heritage
- Military Infrastructure
Dimensions
Length: 166.4 km
State of repair/preservation
Demolished, but the track bed is currently quite well visible in the landscape, with several stations, tunnels and bridges still visible. Some of the railway stations are recognized as historical heritage by various instances.
Historical WWI Context
Built in 1906 from Sarajevo to Uvac on then Ottoman border, and to Vardište on the Serbian border, “Ostbahn” narrow gauge railway line was operated by the army and extensively used for military purposes, especially in the first two years of WWI. It had numerous tunnels and bridges, as well as railway stations in: Bistrik, Dovlići, Pale, Koran, Stambolčić, Sjetlina, Prača, Renovica, Banja Stijena, Sudići, Mesići-Rogatica, Dub, Ustiprača-Goražde, Strmica, Setihovo, Mrzovo, Rudo, Mioče, Uvac and Ljučevo, Međeđa, Most na Drini, Šip, Višegrad, Jagodina, Dobrun, Dobrunska crkva, Vardište. It was very important strategic railway that played the key role in the beginning of the war. During the war, troops and logistics were transferred to the Serbian front via this railway. Several incidents involving civilians held hostage by the Austro-Hungarian army occurred along the railway line in 1914. The line was abolished in 1978, but the track bed is currently quite well visible in the landscape, with several stations, tunnels and bridges still visible. A small part of the track is in service as a heritage railway rebuilt between 1999 and 2003, from Višegrad to so-called “Šargan Eight” in Serbia.
Recent Images
Historical Images
State of legal protection
Some of the objects are partially recognized by heritage authorities, most of the route is unprotected and derelict.
Owner
Railways of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Railways of Republika Srpska, municipalities of: Novo Sarajevo, Centar, Stari Grad, Istočni Stari Grad, Pale, Pale/Prača FBiH, Rogatica, Novo Goražde, Rudo and Višegrad.
Kind of cultural use of WWI
Parts of the route are flooded by artificial lakes on rivers Lim and Drina. Ostbahn is part of the “Eastern railway” guided tour. There is a tourist attraction - “Vodeni ćiro” - a boat that operates on Lake Limsko following the old narrow gauge railway route from Most na Drini to Rudo.
Opening
No information available.
Entrance Fee
No information available.
Information regarding cities, villages, other touristic attractions (non-WWI) nearby
Municipalities of: Novo Sarajevo, Centar, Stari Grad, Istočni Stari Grad, Pale, Pale/Prača FBiH, Rogatica, Novo Goražde, Rudo and Višegrad.
Accomodation
Public Transport
Car, bus.
Further information sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrow-gauge_railways_in_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina
#East_Bosnian_railway
https://bs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zgrada_%C5%BEeljezni%C4%8Dke_stanice_Bistrik
Muzej Sarajeva, Muzej “Sarajevo 1878-1918”, http://www.muzejsarajeva.ba/bs/dani-kantona-dan-noc-muzejadepandansi/muzej-sarajevo
Ajdin Fevzija, Historija željeznica Bosne i Hercegovine, Nacionalna univerzitetska biblioteka Bosne i Hercegovine, Sarajevo, 2006.
Other heritage sites nearby
- Pašino brdo (Werk IV), Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Mala kula – Grdonj, Grdonj hill, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Franz Joseph Kaserne in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- "Filipović lager" military barracks in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Prinz Eugen Kaserne (Jajce kasarna), military quarters in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Werk Zlatište military fortification in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Fort Vraca in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Weissbastion (Bijela tabija) in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Fort Draguljac military fortification in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- "Groblje Lav” military cemetery in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Hotel "Bosna", part of the Spa complex in Ilidža near Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Narrow Gauge train station in Ilidža near Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Old narrow gauge railway station in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Appel quai, archiduke's route to death, a street in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- City Hall (Vijećnica) in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Ground zero - 1914 Assassination location in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Franz & Sophie Monument in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Assassination memorial plaques in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- "Konak" governoral residence in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Panzerwerk "Strač" near Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Museums Private Collections
"Ostbahn" narrow gauge railway in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina
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