Despić House

Despića kuća
Despić House in Sarajevo
Established	1960s (as museum)
Location	Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Type	Historic house museum
Website	www.muzejsarajeva.ba/despica-kuca/

Despić House (Bosnian: Despića kuća; Serbo-Croatian Cyrillic: Деспића кућа) is a historic house museum located in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Originally the residence of the prominent Serbian Orthodox Despić family, the house is now a branch of the Museum of Sarajevo. It showcases the lifestyle of a wealthy merchant family during the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian periods and is notable for its unique blend of architectural styles and cultural significance.

The Despić family, one of the wealthiest and most influential Serbian Orthodox families in Sarajevo, settled in the city in the mid-18th century. The family's progenitor, Risto Sljepčević, is believed to have moved to Sarajevo from the Herzegovinian village of Sambor.^[1]

The oldest part of the Despić House dates back to the 17th century. Over time, the house underwent several expansions, reflecting the family's growing wealth and status. In the 1960s, Pero Despić bequeathed the house to the city of Sarajevo, and it was subsequently converted into a museum.^[2]

Despić House is an outstanding example of residential architecture that combines elements of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian styles. The house was built in three phases, with the oldest section dating to the 17th century. Its architectural features include traditional Ottoman-style wooden interiors and Austro-Hungarian decorative elements, reflecting the multicultural influences in Sarajevo during that era.^[3]

As a museum, Despić House offers visitors a glimpse into the domestic life of a wealthy merchant family in Sarajevo. The collection includes:

• Original furniture and household items from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
• A piano belonging to Wilhelmina “Mina” Despić, produced by the family's manufacturing company, Neubauer, in Vienna.^[4]
• A copy of the will of Hajji Makso Despić, displayed on the inner wall of the house.^[5]
• An exhibition on traditional Serbian family housing.^[6]

Despić House holds a special place in Sarajevo's cultural history. Members of the Despić family were known for their contributions to the city's cultural life, including organizing the first theater performances in Sarajevo. The house itself served as a venue for these early theatrical events, marking it as a significant site in the development of modern theater in the region.^[7]

Despić House is located at the corner of Despićeva Street and Obala Kulina bana, in the heart of Sarajevo's historic Baščaršija district. The area, once known as Latinluk, is rich in cultural and historical landmarks, including the nearby Latin Bridge.^[8]

• 
  Bedroom
• 
  First floor dining room
• 
  Hadži-Makso's Room
• 
  Mother's Room
• 
  Saloon
• 
  Theatre room
• 
  Despića kuća
• 
  Dining room
• 
  Hadži-Makso Despić's Testament
• 
  Despića House at night

• Museum of Sarajevo
• Baščaršija
• Latin Bridge

• Official website of Despić House