Mostar, situated on the Neretva River, is the administrative center of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s also the historical capital of Herzegovina.
The city is renowned for its iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), a UNESCO World Heritage Site commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century. This bridge is considered an exemplary piece of Islamic architecture in the Balkans. Mostar’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and cultural heritage make it a must-visit destination in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
When you visit the city, crossing the historic Old Bridge that spans the viridian Neretva River is an essential experience. Built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, the stone bridge was destroyed in the Croat-Bosnian War in 1993.
After the war, the Old Bridge was rebuilt to the same specifications as the original bridge, even using local Tenelia rock and the Ottoman construction method. People have been diving off the bridge since it opened. Young men from Mostar compete in a diving competition off the bridge every July.
The city is home to many mosques. Look at the horizon and count the number of minarets piercing the sky. The 17th-century Koski Mehmet-Pasha Mosque (built in 1617) is the second biggest mosque in the city. It’s on the left bank of the Neretva, upriver from the Old Bridge.
Visitors are welcome inside the mosque and can climb the 88 minaret stairs for 360-degree views of the city. For those who fear heights and confined spaces, the views from the riverside beside the mosque are lovely (but still need a ticket).
The church bell tower is the tallest structure in the city, standing at 352 feet. Completed in 2000, there’s some contention that the soaring height of the tower means to emphasize the Catholic church’s presence in Mostar. This fuels the dissonance still lingering from the Croat-Bosnian War.
But many locals in the city refer to the tower as the Tower of Peace, as the church assures peace and co-existence were the intention.
Next to the bell tower is the Franciscan Church of Saints Peter and Paul, also rebuilt in 2000. It resembles an airplane hangar more than a church and has a plain façade that mimics on the interior, as well. There is an elevator inside the bell tower that takes visitors to the height of 262 feet for views over the city.
Located about 30 kilometers south of the city along the banks of the Neretva River is the village of Pocitelj. With high hills, the land has long-held strategic significance. Although many of the current structures – the mosque, religious school, bathhouse, and houses – were damaged in the war and needed reconstruction, the fortress at the top of the hill wasn’t damaged.
For phenomenal views over the village and river, climb to the top of the tower and peer through the windows.
Constructed in 1520, Blagaj Tekija – a Dervish monastery – stands at the base of a high cliff at the mouth of the Buna River. The house, used by various orders over time, is a place to pray – although, today, it also functions as a tourist site. After touring Blagaj Tekija, find a place along the river to enjoy a Bosnian coffee or meal and enjoy the peacefulness.
Opening hours: daily 08:30-20:30