Double-headed axe

A double-headed axe from the Museum of the City of Sarajevo is one of the objects originating from the Ottoman period.

During the 15th and 16th century, Sarajevo was the military and political centre of the Bosnian pashalik with strong military strongholds. Since the military was present in the city from the beginning, weapons were a significant part of life.

The weapons were an integral part of male clothing, and hence special attention was paid to the antique weapons historically and symbolically connected to the Minoan civilization, which extended to the second millennium BC. Based on the archaeological findings on Crete, the labrys was used by priestesses as a ritual weapon during immolations.

The double-headed axe is an axe that is approximately 50 cm long, with two symmetrical blades, which were specially produced and carved. The tip of the axe is pointed and, apart from the two blades, the tip was also used for attacking and defence.