Mostar Bridge

Mostar Bridge is a monumental stone bridge located over the Neretva River in the city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, constructed by the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century.

History and Construction Process

The construction of the Mostar Bridge dates back to the mid-16th century. As Mostar, the center of the Herzegovina region, lacked a bridge capable of meeting strategic and commercial needs, the reigning sultan, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, ordered the construction of a new stone bridge. The project was entrusted to Mimar Hayreddin, a student of Mimar Sinan, one of the most prominent figures in Turkish architectural history. Construction began in 1557 under the supervision of Karagöz Bey. Due to the river’s strong current and challenging geographical conditions, the project took nine years to complete, and the bridge was finished in 1566.

Mimar Hayreddin, applying the engineering principles of his master Sinan, successfully placed a stone arch over the narrowest and steepest point of the river. Upon completion, the structure was referred to as the “Kudret Kemeri” (Arch of Power) by Aşık Çelebi and later described by the famous traveler Evliya Çelebi as the “Kavs-i Kuzah” (Rainbow).^【1】 The 456 specially cut local limestone blocks known as “tenelija,” bound together with iron clamps and poured lead, ensured the bridge’s resilience against natural disasters and wars for centuries. Standing for 427 years from 1566 until its destruction in 1993, the bridge was reconstructed in 2004 according to its original design.

Architectural Features

Constructed in the classical Ottoman architectural style with a single-arch and pointed design, the bridge was precisely positioned over the narrowest point of the Neretva River, resting on steep rocky banks on both sides through extensive static calculations. The structure rises approximately 24 meters above the river level and spans 28.59 meters with a single arch. The 456 specially cut limestone blocks known as “tenelija,” which harden upon exposure to air, enhanced the bridge’s strength. The stones were joined using iron clamps and molten lead, making the structure resistant to vibrations and currents. The walkway, approximately 4 meters wide, was paved with stepped stones to prevent slips by pedestrians and animals, and stone railings 95 cm high were installed on both sides.

Ancillary Structures and Environmental Elements

On both sides of the Mostar Bridge, two small fortresses were built during the Ottoman period. The Herceguša (Tara) Fortress on the left and the Čelovina (Halebinovka) Fortress on the right served to support the bridge’s defensive and control functions. On the left bank of the bridge stands a mosque attributed to Sultan Selim II, which lacks a minaret; it is traditionally said that until 1878, the muezzin recited the call to prayer from the center of the bridge.^【2】 Historical sources also indicate that a water channel once ran along the bridge’s surface.^【3】

A Monumental Stone Bridge Constructed by the Ottoman Empire: Mostar Bridge (Anadolu Agency)

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

For centuries, the Mostar Bridge has been regarded as a symbol of tolerance, multiculturalism, and coexistence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Evliya Çelebi, in his Seyahatname, described the bridge as “unique” and stated that he had never seen its like among all the bridges he had encountered.^【4】 During the Ottoman period, the bridge served as a unifying element bringing together diverse ethnic and religious communities, including Bosniaks and Croats. Indeed, the public regarded the bridge as “a part of themselves,” embedding it deeply in collective memory.

Traditions and Social Practices

Since the Ottoman period, the Mostar Bridge has also been known as a site where young men demonstrated their courage by diving into the Neretva River. According to tradition, men in the city would leap from the bridge before their weddings to prove their bravery to their fiancées. After World War II, this practice evolved into a sporting activity, and today it has become a tourist spectacle. Currently, young divers perform the jumps in exchange for a fee paid by tourists, thus preserving the tradition.

Destruction and the Bosnian War Period

During the conflicts in the Balkans in the 1990s, the Mostar Bridge became a military target due to its cultural and symbolic value. In 1992, during the Bosnian War’s Mostar front, clashes erupted between the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) and the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bridge, vital to the city’s logistical integrity, was subjected to systematic bombardment by Croatian artillery units on 8 November 1993. As a result of sustained attacks using tanks and heavy weapons, the 427-year-old Ottoman structure lost its structural integrity and collapsed completely into the Neretva River on the morning of 9 November 1993 at 10:16.^【5】

Reconstruction Process

Efforts to reconstruct the Mostar Bridge according to its original design began in 1997 with the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), UNESCO, the World Bank, and other international organizations.^【6】 During reconstruction, original stones recovered from the riverbed by Hungarian divers were reused. The bridge was rebuilt by a Turkish firm using traditional techniques. A total of 456 stone molds were used in the reconstruction.^【7】 The bridge was officially reopened on 23 July 2004 in a ceremony attended by high-level representatives from numerous countries.

The Reconstruction of the Mostar Bridge (Anadolu Agency)

UNESCO World Heritage Status

Following its reconstruction, the Mostar Bridge, together with the old town of Mostar, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005.^【8】 Today, the Mostar Bridge is one of the most visited historical sites in the Balkans and Bosnia and Herzegovina.