Wilson’s Promenade is one of the most famous promenades in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The promenade stretches along the river Miljacka, on the right bank of the river.
Name and history
The route of the street was formed during the Austro-Hungarian era. The promenade was originally named Kalaj’s promenade, after the joint minister of finance of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy and the then-ruler of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Benjamin Kalaj. After the First World War and the establishment of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovens, Kalaj’s Promenade was renamed Wilson Promenade, after the 28th President of the USA, Thomas Woodrow Wilson.
During the Second World War, from 1941 to 1945, and the period of the puppet Independent State of Croatia, the promenade was called Mussolini’s promenade, after the Italian fascist leader. After the war, it was renamed Wilson Promenade, and during the period from 1960, it was given a new name, Youth Promenade. The current name was returned to the promenade again in 1993.
The Promenade
There are 480 linden and chestnut trees along the street. The alley at Wilson’s promenade was planted with chestnut and linden trees back in the time of Austro-Hungarian rule, which creates pleasant shade in the summer with their massive crowns. In the afternoon, the promenade is closed to traffic, and nature lovers can enjoy walking and chatting on the benches next to Miljacka or riding a bicycle.
Along the promenade, there are also several restaurants, whose gardens are favorite places to hang out in Sarajevo during the summer months.
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