Stari Most

The Stari Most ("the old bridge") is a 16th century bridge in the city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina that crosses the river Neretva and connects two parts of the city.

Related Topics:
Bridge - 16th century - Mostar - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Neretva

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Built in 1565 by the architecht Mimar Hajrudin, student of Sinan, the Ottoman architect, the Stari Most is hump-backed, 4 meters wide and 30 mètres long, dominating the river from a height of 24 meters. Two fortified towers protect it: the Helebija tower on the right bank and the Tara tower on the left bank.

Related Topics:
1565 - Mimar Hajrudin - Sinan - Ottoman - Bank

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During the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995), in 1993, Croatian forces turned against Bosnian government forces, and destroyed the bridge on november 9th. It was already damaged from Serb bombardment in 1992. Both Serb and Croat nationalists saw the bridge and old historic area around it as part of the Bosniak and Islamic culture, and it was often targeted during their bombardments.

Related Topics:
War in Bosnia and Herzegovina - 1992 - 1995 - 1993 - Serb - Croat - Bosniak

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Now listed as a World Heritage Site, the bridge was rebuilt under the aegis of UNESCO. Its 1,088 stones were shaped according to the original techniques, and the reconstruction cost about 12 million ?. It reopened on July 22, 2004, and its reopening ceremonies were based on the idea of reconciling Bosnian communities, even if bad blood and suspicion remain evident.

Related Topics:
World Heritage Site - UNESCO - ? - July 22 - 2004

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