The depth and breadth of the exhibits inside the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina mean that the odds of finding displays that interest you are high. Most visitors spend one hour here, while enthusiastic museumgoers may want to allow a few hours, especially if the Haggadah section is open for viewing. A library and a courtyard garden filled with medieval stećci tombstones provide even more reasons to stay longer at the museum, conveniently close to the riverfront.
The museum isn’t wheelchair-accessible; there are stairs inside and leading up to the museum’s front entrance.
Entrance fees are discounted for the last hour of the day on weekdays.
Reservations for private tours to see the Haggadah need to be made at least three days in advance.
Located in the city center of Sarajevo, the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina is separate from many of the city’s main attractions. Take the number 3 tram from the Old Town to the Muzej stop directly outside the museum to save yourself the long walk over. A paid parking lot is a short distance from the museum outside the SCC shopping mall.
The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina is closed on Mondays and public holidays but also has reduced hours on the weekend. However, to see the Haggadah, you need to either visit on the scheduled days when it is made available to museum patrons for one hour at midday, or pay for a guided group tour.
There’s no question that the prized possession of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the Sarajevo Haggadah. This illuminated manuscript, used during the ritual of Passover Seder, has been passed between members of different Jewish communities across Europe since the 14th century. It’s important for its history and the artistry of its illuminations.