Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar

The Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar centers on the 16th-century Ottoman stone bridge known as Stari Most, spanning the Neretva River; the bridge was completed in 1566 and reconstructed and reopened in 2004 after wartime destruction. The site is a symbol of cultural continuity between East and West in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The rebuilt 29-metre single-arch bridge is the focal point and is flanked by narrow cobbled streets, restored Ottoman houses, and riverside viewpoints. The east and west banks each contain historic quarters with traditional crafts, cafés, and small museums, and bridge diving remains a popular local spectacle.

The original bridge was designed by the Ottoman architect Hayruddin and completed in 1566. It was destroyed in 1993 during the war and reconstructed using original techniques and recovered stones, with the restored crossing officially reopened in 2004.

The site sits in the city of Mostar in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, spanning the Neretva River in the historic centre; Mostar lies roughly 130 kilometres south of Sarajevo and is surrounded by steep river valleys and karst hills.

• Bridge diving: Diving from the bridge is a traditional spectacle and competitions are usually held in summer; the jump is about 20 metres to the river.
• Photography tip: Best light for photography is late afternoon when the river valley and the reconstructed stonework are evenly lit.

What to See #

• Stari Most (Old Bridge): The single-arch stone bridge reconstructed and reopened in 2004 after its destruction in 1993; the arch span is about 29 metres and it rises roughly 20 metres above the Neretva River.
• Kujundziluk (Old Bazaar): A narrow cobbled street of historic shops and artisan stalls running along the riverbank, retaining Ottoman-era layout and many restored houses.
• Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque: An Ottoman-era mosque on the east bank notable for its riverside location and a minaret that offers panoramic views of the bridge and old town.