Obala Kulina bana
{{Short description|Street in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
{{Infobox street
| name = Obala Kulina bana
| native_name = {{native name|bs|Obala Kulina bana}}
| native_name_lang =
| image = File:Miljacka, Ćuprića Ćumurija, 2023.02.11.jpg
| caption =
| location = Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| postal_code = 71000
| inaugurated =
| namesake = Ban Kulin
| length_km = 1.1
| direction_a = West
| terminus_a = Skenderija Bridge
| direction_b = East
| terminus_b = Šeher-Ćehaja Bridge
| known_for = Historical significance, cultural landmarks
| coordinates = {{Coord|43|51|30|N|18|25|45|E|display=inline,title}}
}}
Obala Kulina bana is a major street in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, running along the northern bank of the Miljacka River. It serves as a central artery in the city's urban layout, connecting several historical landmarks and cultural institutions.
History
The street was established in the late 19th century during the Austro-Hungarian rule in Bosnia and Herzegovina, coinciding with the regulation of the Miljacka River’s banks.{{cite journal |last=Husedžinović |first=Sabira |title=Urbanistički razvoj Sarajeva u austrougarskom periodu |journal=Prilozi Instituta za istoriju |volume=38 |year=2009 |pages=157–175 |language=bs}} Initially, it was named Appel Quay after Baron Johann von Appel, the Austro-Hungarian governor of Bosnia and Herzegovina.{{cite web |url=https://sarajevotimes.com/obala-kulina-bana-change-name-history/ |title=The story of how Sarajevo's Obala Kulina Bana Street changed names |website=Sarajevo Times |date=5 March 2016 |access-date=2025-04-15}} The construction of the embankments and adjacent road infrastructure marked a turning point in Sarajevo’s urban development, shifting the city from an Ottoman-style urban center to a more modern European model.{{cite web |url=https://balkaneu.com/the-architecture-of-sarajevo/ |title=The Architecture of Sarajevo: From the Ottoman to the Austro-Hungarian Era |website=BalkanEU |access-date=2025-04-15}} The newly built street also became a symbolic space reflecting Austro-Hungarian ambitions to reshape Sarajevo’s identity. It soon developed into a prominent promenade and hosted some of the earliest examples of Secessionist and historicist architecture in the city, with notable buildings erected along its banks.{{cite web |url=https://balkaneu.com/the-architecture-of-sarajevo/ |title=The Architecture of Sarajevo: From the Ottoman to the Austro-Hungarian Era |website=BalkanEU |access-date=2025-04-15}}
Throughout the 20th century, the street underwent numerous name changes reflecting the shifting political landscape:{{cite web |url=https://sarajevotimes.com/obala-kulina-bana-change-name-history/ |title=The story of how Sarajevo's Obala Kulina Bana Street changed names |website=Sarajevo Times |date=5 March 2016 |access-date=2025-04-15}}
- 1919: Renamed Obala vojvode Stepe Stepanovića after the Serbian military leader Stepa Stepanović.
- 1941–1945: Under Axis occupation during World War II, it was named Obala Adolfa Hitlera.
- Post-1945: The name reverted to Obala vojvode Stepe.
- 1993: During the Siege of Sarajevo, it was renamed to Obala Kulina bana in honor of Ban Kulin, a medieval Bosnian ruler best known for the Charter of Ban Kulin issued in 1189, one of the oldest diplomatic documents in the region.
Architecture and landmarks
Obala Kulina bana is lined with some of Sarajevo’s most significant cultural, historical, and architectural landmarks:
File:Sarajevo Tram City-Hall.jpg terminus, 1905.]]
- Sarajevo City Hall (Vijećnica): Completed in 1896 in pseudo-Moorish style, it served as the city hall and later the National and University Library. It was heavily damaged during the war and reopened in 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129231073@N06/49127792071 |title=Sarajevo City Hall restored |website=Flickr |access-date=2025-04-15}}
- Sarajevo National Theatre: Located at Obala Kulina bana 9, it opened in 1921 and hosts drama, ballet, and opera performances.{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarajevo_National_Theatre |title=Sarajevo National Theatre |website=Wikipedia |access-date=2025-04-15}}{{Circular reference|date=April 2025}}
- Ješua D. Salom Mansion: Built in the early 20th century, the mansion at Obala Kulina bana 20 was designed by architect Josip Vancaš in the Vienna Secession style.{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Je%C5%A1ua_D._Salom_Mansion |title=Ješua D. Salom Mansion |website=Wikipedia |access-date=2025-04-15}}{{Circular reference|date=April 2025}}
- Privredna banka Sarajevo: Headquarters of one of the country's oldest financial institutions, located at Obala Kulina bana 18.{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privredna_banka_Sarajevo |title=Privredna banka Sarajevo |website=Wikipedia |access-date=2025-04-15}}{{Circular reference|date=April 2025}}
- Open Stage Obala: An alternative theater affiliated with the Academy of Performing Arts in Sarajevo, located at Obala Kulina bana 11.{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Stage_Obala |title=Open Stage Obala |website=Wikipedia |access-date=2025-04-15}}{{Circular reference|date=April 2025}}
Transportation
Obala Kulina bana has long served as a key public transit corridor. Sarajevo’s electric tram system, introduced in 1895, runs along part of this street, making it one of the oldest electric tram networks in the region.{{cite web |url=https://sarajevo.travel/en/things-to-do/obala-kulina-bana/276 |title=Obala Kulina bana |website=Sarajevo.travel |access-date=2025-04-15}}
Gallery
File:Sarajevo - Art Nouveau building.JPG|Ješua D. Salom Mansion
File:BOR Bank in Sarajevo.JPG|Privredna banka Sarajevo
File:Sarajevo (49094943433).jpg|Facades
File:Gay Pride, Sarajevo, 2023.jpg|Sarajevo Pride March, 2023.