The historic city of Mostar, which stretches through the deep valley of the Neretva River, developed in the 15th and 16th centuries as an Ottoman border town and during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries. Since ancient times, Mostar has been known for its old Turkish houses and Stari most, Stari most, after which it got its name.
Built in 1566 during the Ottoman occupation on the site of an earlier wooden bridge, Stari most (Old Bridge) in multicultural Mostar spans the Neretva River; it was designed in a single stone span by the Turkish architect Kodja Mimar Sinan, and built by Mimar Hayruddin, who was threatened with execution by the sultan if the bridge collapsed.
Fortunately, it stood the test of time until it was destroyed by shells during the Balkan Wars, but now it floats over the river again, 30 meters (98.5 feet) long and standing 21 meters (69 feet) at its highest point. Today, the Old Bridge is world-famous for several reasons: it connects the city's Muslim and Christian residents between the Ottoman left bank and the mostly 19th-century Austro-Hungarian enclave on the right bank; it was blown up in 1993 when two communities in Mostar turned against each other; yet it symbolizes peace and reconciliation since its restoration – using the original white limestone quarried from the river – and reopening in 2004 with a reinforced metal frame.
In the summer, the youth of Mostar use the bridge, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as a diving platform in a spectacular display of mindless courage; in mid-August, an annual diving competition is held, attended by up to 15,000 spectators.
The Mostar bridge is called Stari most, which simply translates to Old Bridge. It is absolutely worth coming to Mostar just for the Old Bridge, and every visitor should take the time to see it from every angle. We spent almost 24 hours doing just that.
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