Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo street art in pictures

(Last Updated On: 13/05/2020)

It’s hard to speak about Sarajevo street art. The city that had to struggle so much in recent years still tries to define itself in the new way and sadly a bustling street art scene isn’t part of it. There are few random scribbles here and there in the center and some decent graffiti around the stadium in Kosevo as well as faded effigy of Vucko – the mascot of 1984 Winter Olympic Games but overall the art didn’t take streets of Sarajevo yet. However if you look carefully around you will see work by one artist pretty often. A friendly, grinning cat by Thoma Ville is an unofficial symbol of Sarajevo street art!

Main character of Sarajevo street art – Mr Chat

Mr Chat (that’s the name of the cat) has been born in the streets of Orleans, France in 1997. Since then it has appeared in the cities all over the world (I’ve seen some in Pristina, Kosovo and Lisbon as well) and there are numerous cats in Sarajevo too. Very often it is accompanied by roses – reminding of the city’s tragic past with this innocent and fragile yet cruel symbol (here you can read more about Sarajevo roses). As soon as I accidentally came across first cats on the wall I fell in love with them (you just cannot resist this smiling face) and made it my mission to find as many of them in Sarajevo as possible. And I did pretty well – managed to find 12 Mr Chats as well as I figured out the location of few more (like in the garden of the French embassy). What was a super cool attraction for me turned out to be just a normal thing for Sarajevans. When I asked a friendly receptionist in my great hostel – Franz Ferdinand – where can I find more Mr Chats she couldn’t remember any exact location although she said she can see them everywhere all over the city! It was one of my favorite things to do in Sarajevo – Mr Chat hunting!

Sarajevo street art still needs to burgeon

No matter how much I loved wandering around Sarajevo I really missed some decent street art there. It would be such a good addition to this city! Murals could tell the history of brave people defending Sarajevo, it could be a good reminder of what the city have been through, of events that should not happen again. But I believe the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina will still get its dose of street art and next time I’m there I will find even more Mr Chats! Anyway, here’re some pictures of Sarajevo street art!

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And here’s a map where you can find all the street art I’ve tracked down in Sarajevo!

Have you seen Mr Chat anywhere else? Would you like to visit Sarajevo?


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27 Comments

  • Reply
    Andrea
    15/03/2015 at 23:11

    Have not seen Mr Chat but am determined to scout him out when I’m in Sarajevo in May aha! Love this collection of photos!

    • Reply
      kami
      06/04/2015 at 22:10

      I’m sure you will easily find him, he’s everywhere! And once you see one you will just keep looking!!

  • Reply
    Tanj from A Travelogue
    15/03/2015 at 23:34

    I visited Sarajevo and I have seen that cat. :) Thanks for posting this and love the photo of Srebrenica wall art + city.

    • Reply
      kami
      06/04/2015 at 22:11

      he is so much fan, isn’t he? I loved Srebrenica wall too!!

  • Reply
    Wedding Heat
    16/03/2015 at 09:41

    This city was part of my formal country, and was much beautiful then now. Sorry about that. Anyway you remind me on some beautiful memories. I’m From Skopje and you have nice post about my city also. Nice job.

    • Reply
      kami
      06/04/2015 at 22:14

      I’ve heard that from many people, that it was better when Yugoslavia was one country. But Skopje is pretty cool too, I really enjoyed it! Thanks!

  • Reply
    Valeria @ Rome, New York, London, World
    16/03/2015 at 09:58

    I always enjoy some good street art. Your pictures look great! Thanks for sharing :)

    • Reply
      kami
      06/04/2015 at 22:14

      Thank you! :)

  • Reply
    Michał
    16/03/2015 at 14:15

    The cat is hilarious! :D I’ve never seen it! I’ve never heard of it! (what an ignorant person) Thanks Kami!

    • Reply
      kami
      06/04/2015 at 22:15

      I also haven’t heard of it till last November ;) but now I’m willing to track it in as many places as possible (seen him in 3 cities so far :))

  • Reply
    Chanel | Cultural Xplorer
    16/03/2015 at 16:14

    That cat is everywhere! I feel like I might have seen him somewhere in Europe before but I cannot be sure, he looks familiar :D

    • Reply
      kami
      06/04/2015 at 22:16

      I’m sure you’ve seen him somewhere! He is all over the place!! :)

  • Reply
    Tim
    16/03/2015 at 16:52

    Like some of the others I have never heard of the street cat before. I am usually not a big fan of street art but have to admit if it brings a smile to your face then it is worth it.

    • Reply
      kami
      06/04/2015 at 22:16

      there’s so much good street art around these days, I’m sure you’d find something for you as well :)

  • Reply
    Angela
    16/03/2015 at 17:28

    Sounds like a fun way to enjoy a city by finding art as you walk around. Great photos :)

    • Reply
      kami
      06/04/2015 at 22:17

      It is my fave way of discovering new place! :) Thanks!

  • Reply
    Revati
    17/03/2015 at 08:31

    This is such a great resource. Mapping all the artworks must have taken some doing! I had no clue Sarajevo was so full of street art, and such a distinct style!

    • Reply
      kami
      06/04/2015 at 22:17

      Thanks! Sarajevo isn’t the greatest street art city but it has its moments :)

  • Reply
    Sarah
    25/03/2015 at 20:24

    I know someone who has a Mr Chat graffiti in his living room, very cool. I’d love to go to Sarajevo but the street art wouldn’t be the reason. Good job finding these gems amongst the scribbles!

    • Reply
      kami
      06/04/2015 at 22:18

      how cool is that??? :D however the cat is pretty creepy so I don’t think I’d like to have it in my house ;) And Sarajevo is incredible, there’re hundreds of reasons to visit it so you definitely should go when you have a chance!!

  • Reply
    Mister Chat i Sarajewo - Bałkany Rudej
    09/01/2016 at 18:31

    […] Kota spotkać można w bardzo wielu zakamarkach Sarajewa. My często po prostu koło niego przejeżdżaliśmy i nie było możliwości jego sfotografowania. Więcej zdjęć Pana Kota znajdziecie we wpisie Kami, w którym opisuje ona sarajewski street art. […]

  • Reply
    Dana
    18/12/2016 at 17:36

    Hi! What a great post on Sarajevo. I was wondering if you still have the map of the street art you showed above seeing as it doesn’t appear any more. Looking forward to hearing back from you.

  • Reply
    Dan
    13/08/2021 at 16:24

    does anyone know where the “Enjoy Sarajevo” mural is located?

    • Reply
      kami
      25/11/2021 at 17:22

      Unfortunately I couldn’t find it during my visits to Sarajevo

  • Reply
    Faruk
    26/07/2023 at 09:18

    if you are reffering to coca-cola style mural with “enjoy sarajevo” it was located on after war ruins near holiday inn hotel. That wall was demolished and removed short after the war ended.

    • Reply
      kami
      27/07/2023 at 19:51

      Thank you for the info! Too bad it was removed, it was such an iconic piece!

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