The tunnel was hand-dug by soldiers and volunteers using shovels and picks over the course of four months.
It connected the besieged city of Sarajevo with the territory held by the Bosnian government on the other side of the airport.
The interior height of the tunnel was initially only 1.6 meters, forcing people to carry heavy loads while hunched over.
A small pipeline was installed inside the tunnel to supply fuel and electricity to the city, which had been completely cut off from resources.
The house used as the entrance was selected because it was one of the few structures that provided cover from snipers near the runway.
An internal railway track was eventually laid down to move carts filled with supplies through the narrow space.
The Tunnel of Salvation, or Tunel Spasa, is an 800-meter-long underground passage constructed in 1993 beneath the Sarajevo Airport runway during the Siege of Sarajevo. It served as the city's primary lifeline for transporting humanitarian aid, fuel, and supplies during the blockade. The museum site currently preserves a 20-meter section of the original tunnel that visitors can walk through. Exhibits include personal belongings of those who used the tunnel, military equipment, and audiovisual footage documenting the siege. The site is located in a private residential house, which functioned as the entrance point on the Butmir side. It stands as a testament to the resourcefulness and resilience of Sarajevo's citizens during the 1992-1996 conflict.
The entrance of the tunnel structure where the low height is visible against the original concrete walls.
Wear comfortable, flat shoes as the remaining tunnel section has uneven surfaces.
Visit the dedicated museum displays before entering the tunnel to better contextualize the artifacts.
Bring a light jacket as the tunnel temperature is significantly cooler than the outside air.
Do not attempt to touch or remove any artifacts from the displays or the tunnel walls.
Maintain a quiet and respectful demeanor as the site serves as a memorial to war victims.
