The Svrzo house represents an authentic Bosnian house from the 18th century. It was built during the Ottoman Period and it symbolizes the life of a man from this region. It is a very comfortable house, which kept the life of a family man secret and at the same time gave an insight into the life in alleys.
The last owner of the house was the Svrzo family, thus the house was named after them.
The house is comprised of separate quarters for men, women and servants, as well as courtyards and gardens. It represents a symbol of Bosnian architecture from the 18th century.
It has the half-round tile roof and a front and a back-porch.
Today, the Svrzo house represents the Museum of Bosnian Architecture before the Europeanization of the region.
Although strictly separate, quarters for men and women are connected through the hallway and a shelf case. In the middle part of the house there is a courtyard for women surrounded by many buildings – the main house with a harem and a quarter for men, as well as a quarter for women with a living room. They overlook the courtyard with a massive wall surrounding the quarter for men. This type of building originates from the Arabic, as well as the Assyrian, Babylon and Hellenistic house, where everything is oriented towards the courtyard as the central part of the complex.
The analysis shows that the main house, as well as the rest of the complex is asymmetric. This is due to its economic function that had to be accomplished on the ground floor without paying attention to the form. Rooms were built in regards to the need. Thus, the storehouse, horse stable and the additional cooking-house were freely positioned. The upper floors had to have a better view of the garden, court-yard and the street.
Today, the Svrzo house is a Museum open for visitors.