Stari most, the stone arc linking Mostar across the Neretva

Stari most in Mostar is a single-span stone arch reaching across the Neretva River, an Ottoman bridge from the sixteenth century whose pale curve has become the defining line of the old town. Commissioned under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and completed in 1566, it links the historic quarters on either bank and sets the rhythm for streets, markets and river life that gather around its approaches.

The Ottoman stone arc over the Neretva

Stari most is a masonry arch bridge built during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, replacing an earlier wooden crossing and creating a continuous stone hump over the river in the centre of Mostar.commissioned to replace a wooden bridge The design is attributed to Mimar Hayruddin, an Ottoman architect and pupil of Mimar Sinan, whose work created a confident single span anchored into the rocky banks.

The bridge is built from local limestone known as tenelija, giving the parapets and arch a light colour that stands out against the darker cliffs and the green surface of the Neretva.tenelija limestone blocks Its single humpbacked form rises above the water without piers in the river, and the stonework ties directly into the fortified towers that stand at either end, forming a continuous ensemble of bridge, abutments and adjacent buildings.

From sixteenth-century crossing to reconstructed landmark

Construction of Stari most began in 1557 and lasted for about nine years, with completion recorded for 1566, turning a precarious wooden route into a durable stone crossing on the main axis of Mostar.construction began in 1557 and ended in 1566 For centuries the bridge served as the primary link between the neighbourhoods on either side of the Neretva, carrying traders and residents between markets, houses and religious buildings.

During the Bosnian War in the early 1990s, Stari most was destroyed by artillery fire on 9 November 1993, and its fall into the river became a stark image of the conflict.destroyed by artillery in 1993 International organisations and local authorities later undertook a reconstruction project that began in 2001, using matching tenelija stone and traditional techniques to raise the arch once more, and the rebuilt bridge reopened to the public on 23 July 2004.reconstruction under UNESCO auspices

A World Heritage bridge in the fabric of Mostar

In 2005 the Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar, with Stari most at its centre, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a cultural site in Bosnia and Herzegovina.Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar The inscription recognises both the sixteenth-century Islamic architecture and the later reconstruction as a symbol associated with reconciliation and cooperation after conflict.symbol of human solidarity

The bridge continues to function as a route across the Neretva, connecting streets on the eastern and western banks and linking the clusters of stone houses and lanes that compose Mostar’s historic centre.wahrzeichen der Stadt Mostar The nearby towers, river terraces and vantage points provide views of the arch and the river below, and the stone paving and balustrades carry the marks of use over generations.

Visiting Stari most: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Stari most crosses the Neretva River in the centre of Mostar in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the bridge forming part of the Old Bridge Area of the Old City.
• The approaches to the bridge rise on cobbled streets, and the crossing itself runs over a stone-paved arch, with steps and a noticeable gradient underfoot.
• Mostar is reached by road and rail routes within Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the bridge stands within walking distance of the main historic quarters on both banks.
• The official language is Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian and the currency is the convertible mark.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Stari most

Where is Stari most located?

Stari most stands in the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, crossing the Neretva River at the centre of the historic Old Bridge Area.

What can visitors expect when crossing the bridge?

Visitors walk over stone paving along a pronounced arch, with steps and a slope underfoot, moving between the historic quarters and river terraces on either side.

What makes Stari most distinctive among bridges?

Its single-span stone arch from the sixteenth century, reconstruction after wartime destruction and recognition as part of a UNESCO World Heritage site together give the bridge its distinctive character.