Kazandžiluk Street

Kazandžiluk Street (Bosnian: Kazandžiluk; Serbo-Croatian Cyrillic: Казанџилук) is one of the oldest and most iconic streets in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Located in the historic core of Baščaršija, the old bazaar, Kazandžiluk has been a centre of copper craftsmanship for over five centuries. The street, lined with artisan workshops, retains its Ottoman-era appearance and remains a living symbol of Sarajevo’s artisanal and cultural heritage.^[1]

The name Kazandžiluk is derived from the Turkish word kazan (cauldron), referring to the large pots and vessels once produced there. The suffix -džiluk denotes a place associated with a specific craft or trade, in this case, the making of copperware.^[2]

Kazandžiluk developed in the 16th century during the formation of Sarajevo’s bazaar and craft sector under Ottoman rule. The area was originally part of the land holdings of Sagrakči Hadži-Mahmut, a wealthy tanner who intended to build a mosque. Instead, it became a centre for coppersmiths (kazandžije), who began crafting household and utilitarian copper goods such as cauldrons, pans, and jugs.^[3]

By the 18th century, the coppersmiths had formed a guild (esnaf), playing an important regulatory and educational role in the trade. Several families on Kazandžiluk have preserved the craft for generations, with some tracing their artisanal roots back over 250 years.^[4]

In 1931, part of Kazandžiluk was renamed Mali Kazandžiluk, now known as Luledžina Street, to distinguish it from the main thoroughfare. This section primarily housed copper workshops and storage spaces.^[3]

In 2021, the ambient ensemble comprising Kazandžiluk, Male Daire, and Luledžina Street was declared a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.^[3]

The art of copperwork in Bosnia and Herzegovina flourished during the Ottoman period, when artisans produced both utilitarian and decorative items. Sarajevo became a major centre for copperware production, with local goods exported throughout the [[Balkans and the wider Ottoman Empire.^[5]

Traditional copperworking techniques include sheet-hammering, engraving, and tin-plating. Many objects are still made entirely by hand, with some coppersmiths incorporating modern aesthetics into traditional designs. Tinsmiths (kalajdžije) collaborated closely with coppersmiths to coat vessels with tin, making them more durable and suitable for food preparation.^[3]

Today, Kazandžiluk is a major tourist attraction in Sarajevo. The street’s preserved architecture and active artisan workshops draw visitors seeking traditional Bosnian crafts, particularly the hand-made džezva (coffee pot) sets and engraved copper trays.^[6]

Some workshops also create symbolic objects such as flowerpots fashioned from recycled shell casings—transforming wartime remnants into pieces of cultural expression.^[7]

Shops like “Stari Bazar” offer curated collections of Bosniak folk costumes, ethnographic items, and antique copperware, functioning both as commercial outlets and informal museums.^[3]

While Kazandžiluk has been dubbed a tourist trap by some due to its popularity and commercialization, the street continues to host active coppersmiths who preserve centuries-old techniques.^[8] The balance between heritage preservation and tourism development remains a central feature of its contemporary identity.^[9]

• Copper Handicrafts in Kazandžiluk.
• Traditional copper plates and coffee sets.
• Tea and coffee sets.
• A store sign inscribing the family name.
• Kazandžiluk at night.
• Kazandžiluk in 1960.

• Baščaršija
• Ottoman architecture in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina