Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sarajevo
Church Neo-Gothic cathedral and Sarajevo landmark
Sarajevo’s Sacred Heart Cathedral is a late-19th-century Roman Catholic cathedral with neo-Gothic details. Visitors admire the stained glass, attend services and explore the nearby Baščaršija quarter.
The Sacred Heart Cathedral in Sarajevo is the main Roman Catholic cathedral of the city and the principal church of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna. It was constructed in the late 19th century and is notable as Sarajevo’s largest Catholic place of worship.
The building is executed in historicist neo-Gothic forms with a Latin-cross plan, stained glass windows and prominent twin towers. The interior contains liturgical furnishings and decorative programs typical of a late 19th-century cathedral.
Designed by the architect Josip Vancaš and built in the final decades of the 19th century, the cathedral served the Catholic population of Sarajevo throughout Austro-Hungarian rule and into the 20th century, remaining an active parish and diocesan church. It has been maintained as a central religious and cultural landmark in the city.
Located in the historic centre of Sarajevo, the cathedral stands in the civic and religious heart of the city and is accessible from the main pedestrian axes of the old town.
- Status: Seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna and the largest Catholic church in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
How to Get to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sarajevo #
The cathedral sits just north of Baščaršija (the Old Bazaar). From the main square of Baščaršija it is a 5-10 minute walk. Sarajevo’s central bus stops and the tram network serve the nearby streets; most visitors walk between major downtown sites.
Tips for Visiting Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sarajevo #
- Arrive for an organ recital or Mass to hear the cathedral's acoustics at full effect.
- Notice the decorative Stations of the Cross and the stained glass windows-some were produced in Munich in the late 19th century.
- The cathedral is in a busy part of Sarajevo; pair the visit with a walk through Bascarsija to witness the city's cultural contrasts.
Best Time to Visit Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sarajevo #
Visit during spring through early autumn for comfortable walking around Sarajevo and to combine the cathedral with other historic sites.
Weather & Climate near Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sarajevo #
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sarajevo's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1066 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (115 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
