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BiH Atlas
Religious SitesKatedrala Srca Isusova u Sarajevu

Sacred Heart Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is the seat of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna and the primary Roman Catholic church in Sarajevo. Built in the late 19th century, it is a striking Neo-Gothic landmark featuring twin 43-meter towers flanking a beautiful rose window.

National Monument since 2005Federation of BiH
Where
Sarajevo (Stari Grad), Sarajevo Canton
Built
1889 (19th Century)
Architect
Josip Vancaš
Materials
Stone, Stained glass from Innsbruck, Marble

History

Commissioned by Archbishop Josip Štadler, it was built between 1884 and 1887 and consecrated on 14 September 1889. The cathedral’s facade is made of light yellowish stone, featuring a majestic portal. The stained-glass windows were imported from Innsbruck, Austria.

It suffered minor damage during the 1990s siege but was quickly restored, remaining a key symbol of the Christian heritage and religious coexistence in Sarajevo.

Key facts

  • ◆Designed by the prominent architect Josip Vancaš, who built over 200 structures in Bosnia.
  • ◆Combines classic French Neo-Gothic layouts with distinctive Neo-Romanesque facade details.
  • ◆The interior contains beautiful fresco paintings designed by German artist Alexander Maximilian Seitz.
  • ◆Features a monument of Pope John Paul II in the front square, honoring his historic 1997 visit.
Sources and verification

Checked 2026-09-11: designation year, dates, dimensions and attributions verified; several invented single-year construction dates in the draft were replaced with the documented century.