The Roman Bridge on Ilidža is one of the most beautiful in Sarajevo! Some say it’s Roman, some say it’s Turkish!

Roman bridge, a structure with a striking appearance that bridges the Bosna River, is located on an old, now abandoned road in Plandište near Ilidža.

This bridge is one of four preserved old stone bridges in the area of Sarajevo. Other stone bridges are the Šeher-Ćehaja bridge, the Latin bridge, and the Goat’s Bridge that goes across Miljacka.

Roman Bridge, Ilidza, Photo: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), CC BY-SA 3.0

Although it is called the Roman Bridge, it is not entirely certain when exactly this bridge was built. Due to the continuity of life in the area of Ilidža from the Neolithic period to the present day, it can be assumed that there was a bridge there that made it possible to cross from one side to the other across the Bosna River.

The bridge was first mentioned in the 16th century, around 1550, so there is an opinion that it was built by Ottoman builders.

Roman Bridge, Ilidza, Photo: Michael Kleinsasser, Pixabay

The bridge is made of hewn stone blocks, most likely brought from the nearby ancient Roman settlement of Aquae Sulphurae. These blocks form the lower structure of the bridge and have seven semicircular arched arches.

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The length of the bridge is 52.10 meters, the width together with the arch is 4.55 meters, and the bridge’s height at the highest point is about 4.50 meters. Today, the bridge serves only pedestrians and is on the National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina list.

The Roman Bridge is a witness of time and history, and its presence on Ilidža adds a special charm to this part of Sarajevo.