Bistrik Kula (Observatory) — Attraction in City of Sarajevo

On the slope of Mount Trebevic near the lower end of the Olympic Luge/Bobsled Run is the Čolina Kapa Observatory and Bistrik Kula (Bistrik Tower), a fascinating site to visit.

It consists of two towers, one from the Austro-Hungarian period and one from the Yugoslav period.

The original was built first for military purposes and was part of the fortification system “Fortress Sarajevo” (Festung Sarajevo), built from 1882 to 1908 with purpose to strategically protect city of Sarajevo from possible military incursion from Serbia or Montenegro. System was heavily armed and on standby in 1914, as the Montengrin army advanced, but was never employed in battle since the theatre of war moved to the southeast in 1915. It was build in the same period as the White Fortress and made from the same stone.

Much later the observatory was built on the same site in the 1960s by the Orion astronomical society on the Austro-Hungarian Fort Draguljac.

In the early 1980s, the facility was expanded with a new eight-meter-high tower.

The observatory was a major tourist attraction until its destruction in the Bosnian War and has not been rebuilt to this day.

During the 1990s siege, the besiegers used it as an observation post and military strongpoint for artillery, along with many other locations on the hill. This slope commands excellent views of Sarajevo down at the base in the valley.

The place is an interesting, poignant ruin of the war and offers great views and is easily accessible if you are walking the bobsled track.

Like the Bobsled track, graffiti now adorns both buildings.

We got the gondola up and then ran down but it's only a short drive up from Bistrik and the heart...

Čolina Kapa on Mount Trebević offers a fascinating view of nearly all of Sarajevo and it was for this reason that the Austro-Hungarian authorities erected a military fortification, Bistrik Kula, on this very vantage point.

After the Second World War, Bistrik Kula lost its military function and in the 1960s it was entrusted to the Orion Astronomical Society. Between 1969 and 1972, Orion worked to establish the only astronomical observatory of its kind in BiH.

Two domes, which housed instruments used in observing the sky, were placed on the old fortification and a special observatory was installed next to the kula. This would serve as the base for the third dome, which measured eight meters in diameter.

The observatory, which gradually became one of the symbols of Trebević and Sarajevo, had everything astronomers might need when staying for several days, as well as a library and a photo lab.

The observatory was badly damaged during the last war and the process of reconstruction has been delayed due to a lack of funding.

Plans for the eventual reconstruction include the construction of a dome, the interior of which would serve as a multimedia space for giving lectures...

Great spot for a packed lunch! Bistrik tower is just below Sarjevos bobsled track and can be accessed via a trail at the bottom of the concrete course. Follow the bobsled track to a little bridge that goes over the track and hop out into the carpark/space. Looking towards Sarajevo the trail to Bistrik tower starts at the very left of the car park, follow the incline for around 3 minutes and the Bistrik tower should appear on the left. Be sure to explore both buildings extensively, they offer a unique view of the area and a real insight into the kind if damage the area suffered. If you still feel like walking, follow the trail back to the carpark and head down the track marked as Sarajevo, this will take you to a set of 3 houses also damaged during the aggression and some pretty famous graffiti. They should take around 5 to 10 minutes to get to from the carpark. Don't be afraid to walk all the way back to Sarajevo from the houses, it's a nice walk that offers great views of the city, it is a bit of a stress on your knees as it's quite steep at points. This whole mountain is such a...