JU Museum „Alija Izetbegović“ was founded on 19 October 2007 on the fourth anniversary of Alija Izetbegović's death at Ploče and Širokac, the Vratnik towers with gates. At the beginning, the „Alija Izetbegović“ Museum was founded as an institution and a part of the Sarajevo Museum and became an independent public institution following the decision of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly on 31 December 2009. Thus, the new possibilities opened up for an additional development of the cultural, scientific and social work of the Alija Izetbegović Museum.

The entire Museum collection is located in two towers with gates, Ploče and Širokac, which are connected by a stonewall. Some time ago these were a part of the town wall, which was built in 1739 after the invasion by Eugene of Savoy, the infamous field marshal.