Sarajevo

Our day started underground, with a visit to President Tito's secret bunker.

Obviously not so secret now though. He was president of Yugoslavia for many years and in the 1960s and 70s he was extremely worried about invasion from Russia, so ordered his soldiers to build a massive bunker in the mountains.

It took 26 years to build, could withstand a nuclear attack and would house at least 350 senior politicians and military leaders for six months. 

It was enormous and the entrance was hidden under an average looking house, but the garage led straight into the tunnels and was wide enough for military vehicles to drive straight in.

It was completed in 1979, cost the equivalent of ten billion dollars and Tito died aged 88 in 1980.

As you have already guessed, it was never used, but it was kept in working order for many years and is now open to tourists.

Next it was on to a much smaller tunnel that was built very quickly in 1993 under the airport. Sarajevo was under siege in the Balkans war and the tunnel was the only route for supplies and ammunition. The UN peacekeepers held the airport and so the attackers could not bomb it.

They did shoot at the entrance that again was under an average looking house, and by the time the war ended over 11,000 people had been killed.

Lots of information today, and loads of beautiful mountain scenery to enjoy along the way.

Finally to Sarajevo itself, which has mostly been rebuilt since then, and a walking tour around the city.

Its really modern and filled with cafés, shops and many tourists.

Sorry then to keep with the war theme, but Sarajevo was the catalyst for the World War One as in 1914, Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated here.

This was the exact spot where a sniper stood and shot him from very close range as his carriage unexpectedly got stuck in traffic right in front of him.

It is on a corner right next to the river and a monument was built in 1917 to honour the Archduke. However, the history of this country is so extremely complicated that it was taken down in 1919 as he was no longer popular. So all that remains is a photo on a glass panel.

The Rest is History podcast recently did a brilliant series about the build up to WW1 and so I was very moved to see it.