Mostar "Old bridge" 

The Old Bridge is the symbol of the city of Mostar and a place that has connected people, cultures, and the banks of the Neretva River for centuries.

It was built in the 16th century during the Ottoman Empire, under the rule of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Construction lasted several years, and the inscription on the bridge states the year of completion as 974 according to the Islamic calendar, which corresponds approximately to 1566/1567. The construction of the bridge is attributed to the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Hayruddin.

The bridge is 29 meters long and 4 meters wide, rising approximately 24 meters above the Neretva River. At both ends of the bridge stand two defensive towers – Helebija and Tara – which are connected in historical sources with the term “mostari”, from which the city of Mostar got its name.

Throughout the centuries, the bridge survived many historical events, but during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina it was destroyed in 1993. Its destruction was broadcast around the world and became a symbol of the devastation of war and the loss of cultural heritage. After its reconstruction, the bridge was officially reopened on 23 July 2004.

One of the most famous traditions connected with the Old Bridge is the diving competition into the Neretva River. For centuries, young men from Mostar have been jumping from the bridge as a demonstration of courage and skill, with the first written records of this tradition dating back to the 17th century. Since 1968, an annual diving competition has been held, bringing together the best divers and thousands of spectators from around the world.

The competition is held in two categories:

Jumping feet first
Head-first dive (the swallow – “lasta”)

The Old Bridge of Mostar has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2005.