Bistrik Tower: An Abandoned Fortress & Observatory in Sarajevo

Blog, Photo

On Mount Trebević above Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the abandoned Čolina Kapa Observatory, often referred to locally as "Bistrik Tower" or "Bistrik Kula", still stands as a poignant symbol of resilience and lost potential.

Originally built as an Austro-Hungarian fortress before World War I, the mountaintop provided commanding views over Sarajevo, making it an ideal military observation post.

After World War II, the fortress was repurposed, transforming into a cutting-edge astronomical observatory under the guidance of the Orion Astronomical Society.

By the early 1970s, Čolina Kapa Observatory was Bosnia and Herzegovina's only astronomical facility, complete with three domes for night-sky observation, a reference library, and even a photo lab.

Unfortunately, the Bosnian War in the 1990s left much of Sarajevo, including the observatory, in ruins.

All of its equipment was destroyed between 1992 and 1995, and without funding, it was eventually abandoned.

Today, the observatory’s crumbling structure remains a haunting reminder of Sarajevo’s vibrant scientific past. Astronomy is now virtually absent in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

But urban explorers are drawn to the remnants. Bistrik Tower is one of those urbex sites that dreams are made of. It's historical significance, remote location, ease of access, and plentiful street art make it an absolute pleasure to explore.

These skeleton murals were some of my favorite pieces.

The view of Sarajevo from the top is absolutely stunning.

Bistrik Tower is located here on Google Maps. From Sarajevo you can take the cable car up Mount Trebević and then walk down the abandoned Olympic bobsled track. It is then a short walk from the bottom the track.

When I went in July 2024, I only encountered a couple other people on my way in and out. After exploring the much busier abandoned bobsled track, which is a well known tourist attraction, it was nice to basically have this place all to myself.