The current Sebilj was designed by architect Aleksandar Wittek in 1913.
The original fountain was destroyed by fire in 1852.
There are replicas of the Sarajevo Sebilj located in cities like Belgrade, Novi Pazar, and Birmingham, Alabama.
The term 'sebilj' is derived from Arabic, meaning a building on a road where water is provided for free.
The structure is built primarily from wood and stone with a copper-covered roof.
Historically, water was supplied to the fountain through a network of wooden pipes connected to mountain springs.
The Sebilj is an Ottoman-style wooden kiosk-shaped fountain situated in the heart of Sarajevo's Baščaršija square. Originally constructed in 1753 by Mehmed-paša Kukavica, the current structure is a 1913 reconstruction based on the original design. It functions as a public water source, historically serving as a crucial distribution point for the city's thirsty travelers and residents. The structure features a unique octagonal base with a wooden roof and intricate carved details. It serves as the primary meeting point and the symbolic center of the historic old town district. Local folklore maintains that visitors who drink from the fountain will eventually return to Sarajevo. It is a defining landmark of the city's Balkan-Ottoman architectural heritage.
Stand slightly back from the fountain on the pedestrian path facing the old bazaar to frame both the Sebilj and the mountain backdrop.
Purchase birdseed from nearby vendors if you wish to feed the hundreds of pigeons that congregate around the structure.
Visit during the early morning to capture photos without the heavy midday foot traffic.
The water from the fountain is potable and safe to drink.
Avoid feeding pigeons if you are sensitive to birds, as they swarm the immediate area in large numbers.
