Bullet riddled home of under ground tunnel entrance.
For complete Bosnia-Herzgovina Photo Ablum, click HERE
During the Siege of Saraevjo, 1991-1995, the city nestled in an alpine valley was held hostage with gunfire and mortar attacks from the Serbs in the surrounding mountains. Getting supplies into the residents of the city was next to impossible. Airplanes could land out of mortar range at the western end of Saraevjo, but getting the supplies overland to the people in the city was always under attack.
We read that the average Saraevjan lost 30 lbs during the seige because food was so scarce. Our AirBNB host explained to us that he was able to open a night club providing some refuge and enterainmen for belaguered Saraevjians, once an underground tunnel from the airport to the city had been dug and human packers could bring in supplies.
Today the tunnel entrance is open as a museum and testament to Saraejvan fortitude and resolve to hang on to their city and its citizens. In 1993 the tunnel took 4 months and 4 days to dig the tunnel, 800 meter long and 1 meter wide. Four thousand men everyday, carrying 50 kilos each tramped through the tunnel carrying supplies. This is especially remarkable as the tunnel's highest point is only 1.6 meters high which meant men were bent over with packs on their back.
Russ immediately bumped his head as we descended into the tunnel for a short tramp. Later, there were some rails installed for push trains. Given the width of the tunnel, it could really only support one way traffic.
We had the opportunity to meet the man who lived next to the tunnel and helped to dig the tunnel. He proudly showed us his tunnel digging commemoration plaque. Human ingenuity and survival resolve is an amazing trait.
This was a very intersting stop on our way out of Sarajevo and Bosnia on our way to Croatia.
All is Well from the Worrall Travel R's in transit to Croatia
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