Description of the attraction
The Latinska Chuprija Bridge is undoubtedly the most famous place in Sarajevo, turning the course of almost all history. A shot sounded here, which cut off the peaceful life of millions of people and became the reason for the outbreak of the First World War.
The bridge (chupriya) was named Latin because it was erected next to the quarters where Catholics lived, they were called "Latins". The first mention of the bridge across the Milacki River, along which Sarajevo stretches, dates back to 1541. It was a wooden bridge demolished by flood waters. A stone one appeared in its place, which stood until 1791. The reason for its destruction is also a flood. Its restoration was financed by a wealthy Sarajevo merchant. The reconstruction of the forty-meter bridge was completed in 1798. And almost a hundred years later, the bridge was expanded with footpaths. At the same time, the bridge lost its fifth arch - during the construction of the embankment.
Externally, the Latin bridge is similar to the neighboring one, located upstream. The one and the other have four semicircular arches, the same type of limestone support. Latinska Chupriya is distinguished by through holes in the supports - to facilitate the structure and to discharge water in case of floods. These two round holes create an original decorative effect. It was they who got on the coat of arms of Sarajevo - in a stylized form.
In world history, the bridge remained as the place where Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the empire and his pregnant wife, died in the summer of 1914. After the war, Austria-Hungary, as an empire, ceased to exist. In the same year 1918, the bridge was named in honor of the assassinated 19-year-old Serbian student Gavrila Princip, a member of the organization of young Bosnians who fought for liberation from Austro-Hungarian rule.
In 1992, the Principov Bridge was given its historical name.
