Spot a Sarajevo Rose

Perhaps not one of the most beautiful roses in the world the Sarajevo Rose is certainly one of the most significant. As we have seen the city has been redeveloped since the conflict which tore it apart in the 1990s. To compare images of now and then you would hardly believe it is the same place. Walking down streets like Ferhadija and seeing the modern stores mingled with old architecture you would be forgiven for thinking that this had always been a peaceful place. However there are still reminders of the terrible loss and damage caused during the fighting on the urban landscape of the streets during the Balkan conflict.

Looking around the city you may be able to see marks on building or small shell holes in roads which are still left over from the war. These marks were filled in with red resin after the conflict ended which gave the appearance of floral decorations. The marks are commonly known as Sarajevo Roses and represent the loss of life that took place during the siege of Sarajevo. The roses can be found in a number of different locations throughout the city which shows how widespread the devastation was.

Most of them have no written record of the lives that were lost when the shells hit and the seemingly random nature of their locations shows how many mortars were dropped on the city which was under siege for over 1,000 days.

Many of the roses have been lost now as roads have been repaved but there are still many to spot as you walk around. Some citizens would want to see all of the roses completely removed but they serve as a clear and visual reminder of the past and how flowers are still possible to spring from such tragedies.

Photo Rose de Sarajevo by Anick-Marie is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0