Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Sarajevo audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~25 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~25 min
- Sarajevo Sarajevo guide
About Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos
The Serbian Orthodox cathedral of Sarajevo, a five-domed church of the 1860s raised in the late Ottoman era and paid for by the city's Serb merchants and even the Sultan, with a glowing gilded iconostasis.
The Cathedral Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos is the Serbian Orthodox cathedral of Sarajevo and the seat of the Metropolitanate of Dabar-Bosnia. It was built between 1863 and the early 1870s, remarkably under Ottoman rule, with most of its cost paid by the city's Serb merchants; the Ottoman Sultan Abdülaziz and the Serbian prince each also contributed, and Russia sent craftsmen for the iconostasis. It is a five-domed church, its central dome far larger than the other four.
When it rose, its tower stood higher than the city's mosques, which caused tension, and the consecration had to be postponed and finally held in 1872 under military protection. Inside glow a gilded iconostasis, a carved spiral pulpit and painted walls. A few hundred metres away stands the much older Old Orthodox Church of 1539, with its museum.
Did you know? The Serbian Orthodox cathedral was built in the 1860s under Ottoman rule; most of its cost was paid by the city's Serb merchants, and the Ottoman Sultan and the Serbian prince each also contributed.
How long should you spend at Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos?
Plan about ~25 min at Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos worth visiting?
Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Sarajevo, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Sarajevo
Day 1 of the Sarajevo in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos
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