Wilson''''s Promenade
The most popular walking avenue
in the center of Sarajevo is Wilson''''s Promenade, which stretches along the
Miljacka River, from the Suada and Olga Bridge to the Elektroprivreda building
and the bridge on Topal Osman Paše Street.
Wilson’s Promenade was laid out
during the Austro-Hungarian period, when it was called Kalajeva Promenada,
after Benjamin Kalaj, who served as both Minister of Finance for the
Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and as an administrator of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After
the break-up of the K. und K. Monarchy and the establishment of the Kingdom of
SHS, Kalajeva Promenada was renamed Vilsonovo Šetalište, after U.S. President,
Thomas Woodrow Wilson. It was a major turning point in the First World War when
he declared war on the Central Powers in 1917. During the Nazi-Ustaša
occupation (1941-1945), this promenade was named Musolinijevo Šetalište, after
the Italian fascist leader. After the war, it was again renamed Vilsonovo and
then Omladinsko Šetalište in 1960. The name, Vilsonovo Šetalište, was again
reinstated for this attractive walking area in 1993.
What really makes this promenade
a green oasis in the center of Sarajevo is the fact that it is lined on both
sides with thick rows of linden trees, which were planted at the beginning of
the 20th century. The road that runs along the promenade is closed to traffic
every weekday after 5:00 p.m., as well as on weekends and holidays. There are a
few spots along the promenade that have exercise equipment, plus, there is a
fenced-in play area for youngsters.
There are several cafes and eateries located along Vilsonovo and their outdoor gardens are popular outing spots during the summer months in Sarajevo.