Ancient bridge “Mostar” in the city of the same name in Bosnia and Herzegovina is rightfully considered one of the main attractions of the region, which continues to unite cultures and civilizations.
Most was built in 1557-1566 during the Ottoman state under Sultan Suleiman Magnificent under the leadership of the architect Mimar Hayreddin.
The bridge was destroyed on November ninth, 1993 as a result of the direct hit of the Croatian artillery shells. The date of destruction of the historical bridge went down in the history of the region as a “rainy day”. Locals who witnessed the collapse of the bridge see in this symbolic structure “part” themselves.
A bridge, considered one of the most beautiful samples of Turkish-Islamic architecture, unites two parts of the city for almost 5 centuries, and also provides a connection between Bosnian and Croats living in the city.
One of the entertainment of Mostar youth is jumping into the Neretv River from the center of the bridge, since, in this way they demonstrate their courage. The distance between the highest point of the bridge and water is 21 meters.
The bridge connecting the two parts of the city is a symbol of the peaceful coexistence of the multinational population of Mostar and all of Bosnia and Herzegovina. And in this regard, every year, November 9, that is, on the day of the collapse of the bridge, ceremonies are held at this place.
The collapse of the Mostar bridge provoked a powerful reaction of the world community during the war in the region.
The local authorities have done everything possible to restore the unique bridge and preserve its historical appearance.
The bridge was restored in its original form with the support of a number of countries and international organizations, including Turkey. The opening ceremony of the bridge took place in 2004. Today, the historical bridge is united by the Bosnian and Croatian quarters of Mostar. The bridge and city of Mostar were included in 2005 in the UNESCO World Heritage List.