Unforgettable Mostar Old Town

Mostar Old Town

The historic town of Mostar, spanning a deep valley of the Neretva River, developed in the 15th and 16th centuries as an Ottoman frontier town and during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries. Mostar has long been known for its old Turkish houses and Old Bridge, Stari Most, after which it is named.

Mostar is so much more then just the Old Bridge. The historic part of Mostar is a result of interaction between the natural phenomena and human creativity throughout a long historical period. The essence of centuries-long cultural continuity is represented by the universal synthesis of life phenomena: the bridge and its fortresses – with the rich archeological layers from the pre-Ottoman period, religious edifices, residential zones (mahalas), arable lands, houses, bazaar, its public life in the streets and water.

In July 2005, UNESCO inscribed the Old Bridge and its closest vicinity onto the World Heritage List. Mostar Old Town attractions include:

• Old Bridge (1566)
• Kriva Ćuprija (“Sloping Bridge”) (1558)
• Halebija and Tara towers (Old Bridge) (1566)
• Ćejvan Ćehaj Mosque (1552)
• Old Bazaar, Kujundžiluk (goldsmiths street) (16th century)
• Koski Mehmed Paša Mosque (1617)
• Hamam (traditional bath) (16th century)
• Clock Tower (1636)
• Kajtaz House (16th century)
• Aleksa Šantić monument

Other attractions in Mostar outside of the Old Town area include:

• Cim Early Christian Basilica remains (AD 5–6)
• Spanish Square
• Partisan Memorial Cemetery
• Hum Mountain Cross
• Saint Peter and Paul Monastery
• Cathedral of Mary Mother of the Church