News in English     | 07.06.2020. 22:30 |

Salvation Tunnel complex reopens for the public with improved infrastructure

FENA Kanita Aliagić

SARAJEVO, June 7 (FENA) - The D-B Tunnel Memorial Complex in Sarajevo, known as the Salvation Tunnel, was the only lifeline for the transport of food, weapons and medical equipment to the besieged city during the war. After being closed due to protection measures imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic, as of June 3 has been reopened for visitors.

As one of the most famous tourist locations in the region, the Salvation Tunnel has been visited a lot in the past, mostly by foreign guests who wanted to see, "a miracle of salvation in war, and a memory in time of peace", told FENA the Sarajevo Canton Memorial Fund spokesman Irfan Gazdić. 

But even though the museum complex was closed during the coronavirus pandemic, the employees still made good use of that time to improve the infrastructure and the museum offer as a whole. It is expected that the Memorial opens for public an additional 100 meters of the tunnel.

"If the technical conditions are met, we will open for the visitors an additional 100 meters of the tunnel," said Gazdić.

In terms of novelties, the tunnel now has improved visualization of museum exhibits, they are more accessible, readable, simpler and clearer.

The museum also has on display a photo exhibition depicting the city of Sarajevo during the war, from the City Hall to the Salvation Tunnel.

"Everyone who visits the complex can see a set of seven photos entitled "1435", chronologically arranged from the City Hall to the Salvation Tunnel, and speaks about the realities of life in Sarajevo during the siege from 1992 to 1995," said Gazdić.

The complex has been expanded with a hall that is multipurpose one, open or semi-open type, suitable for presentations, cultural events.

The Salvation Tunnel was approximately 800 meters long, with an average height of 1.6 meters and a width of 1 meter. Excavation began on January 28, 1993, with the end goal being to connect Dobrinja and Butmir (D-B). It was built by the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the civil protection service, and about 300 people were hired on both sides for this painstaking work. 

The diggers worked 24 hours in three shifts. The tunnel was finally dug on July 30, 1993.

Considering that the goal of the construction was to unblock the city of Sarajevo, due to its military, political and economic significance, it was the most closely guarded secret - "a tunnel that does not exist".

It was used for the two last years of the war, and more than two million citizens and soldiers went through it bringing in supplies and food, defense weapons, medicine, oil and petrol. It was a salvation for the wounded, seriously ill, pregnant women, and others. 

Today, the D-B Salvation Tunnel memorial complex keeps the memories of the citizens of Sarajevo, of its builders and fighters. It preserves the memories of those who gave their lives in defense of the city, their homeland of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Visitors have an opportunity to see films and video footage, museum exhibits and artifacts, and weapons used to defend citizens' freedom.

(FENA) S. R.

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