The Old Orthodox Church
The Old Orthodox Church (Church of Archangels Michael and Gabriel) was
originally built in 1539. It was severely damaged in several fires Sarajevo
went through in the past.
The present-day structure dates
back to the 18th century. The church also has an inn and the 1890 museum with a
wealthy collection of icons, paintings, books and manuscripts, copper-smith
pieces, richly ornamented liturgical garments and other valuable items. The Old
Orthodox Church is located in the heart of the old town, at the site once known
as Stara varos (Old Neighborhood), near other sacral monuments.
The church foundation is somewhat
lower compared to the other buildings in the old town. It is a very unique
structure due to elements atypical to medieval Serbian-Byzantine sacral
architecture - a rectangular foundation made in cut stone with certain elements
of Islamic architecture. Over centuries, the church received numerous precious
relics and holy objects. The holy relics of St. Thecla, a saint of the early
Christian church given as a gift to the Old Church by Arsenij IV Jovanovic, the
patriarch is one of the most valuable relics.
According to a legend Sarajevan Orthodox requested a church to be built to Ghazi Husrev-Bey. He granted the request given the church be a simple structure covering the size of beef leather. Creative Sarajevans cut the leather in long thin strips and enclosed a larger site. The regent liked their ingenious idea and permitted the construction of the church.