A Day of Reflection in Sarajevo: Gallery 11/07/95 and a Memorable Meal
Today was a particularly emotional day. During a city tour yesterday, we asked our guide, Adis, for a museum recommendation, and he suggested—without hesitation—Gallery 11/07/95. This powerful space serves as both a museum and photo exhibition, dedicated to preserving the memory of the Srebrenica genocide of 1995. It explores the harrowing events leading up to that tragedy, the unimaginable suffering that followed, and the ongoing journey of remembrance and understanding.
Entry to the gallery is €10, with an optional audio tour for an additional €5. I cannot recommend the audio guide enough—it provides invaluable context, narrative, and first-person accounts that truly deepen the experience. It’s an essential companion to the photographs and film installations, helping to shape a more complete understanding of what you’re seeing and hearing.
We’ve visited other solemn places of remembrance before—Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland, and the Ninth Fort in Latvia—but this experience, while more abstract in its physical setting, was no less impactful. The gallery’s striking photographic displays, paired with a loop of poignant documentary footage, brought the horror of the siege to life in a way that felt deeply personal—especially being in such close proximity to where these events unfolded. While the primary focus is on Srebrenica, one only has to walk the streets of Sarajevo to sense the scars left by war.
I want to be clear—I don’t seek to offer an opinion on the conflict itself. The history is intricate, layered, and deeply rooted in a region with complexities no outsider could fully grasp. But what I will say is this: every time I’m confronted with the evidence of what people are capable of doing to one another—whether for religion, territory, or ideology—I am utterly heartbroken. The scale of pain and destruction is beyond comprehension. And no matter what perspective one might hold, surely, surely, there must be a better way.
That said, I highly recommend visiting Gallery 11/07/95 for anyone interested in understanding the history of the region on a deeper, human level. It is intense, and not suitable for children, in my opinion—but of course, that’s a decision best made by each visitor.
Afterward, feeling quite shaken, we sought out a quiet café to sit, process, and reflect. We wandered the city for a while in near silence, letting the weight of the experience settle before returning to our hotel to pack and prepare our things for an early morning flight (6:00 AM! Which means with having to be at the airport 2 hours prior, our get up time is actually 3:00 AM! UGH!).
Later in the evening, we headed out for dinner at a well-reviewed restaurant we’d been hearing about throughout our stay. We had a 6:00 PM reservation but arrived a bit early—by 45 minutes, to be exact—much to the alarm of our very dedicated server. We offered to leave and return at the agreed time, but he warmly insisted we stay, serving us beer on the street while they prepared our table.
Once seated, our server took it upon himself to curate the meal, given that we had no dietary requirements or restrictions. We placed our trust in him—and we’re so glad we did.
Dinner was superb. A beautifully cooked tenderloin (served medium rare) was paired with perfectly grilled veal chops. The meal arrived on a long wooden board, accompanied by roasted potatoes with a standout aioli, fresh salad, and a variety of seasonal vegetables—all cooked to perfection. Our server also recommended a fantastic bottle of local wine, which elevated the meal even further. The food was exquisite, and the service was outstanding—truly among the best we’ve had.
In the end, what started as a day marked by somber reflection concluded with an unexpected moment of joy and connection—one of those quiet reminders that even amidst the shadows of the past, life continues with beauty, warmth, and grace.
