The Old Bridge was rebuilt in 2004; the historic Old Town stretches across the deeply cut valley of the Neretva. Together, they offer a concrete starting point for exploring Mostar’s cultural history: from bridge building and archaeological finds to collections about urban and rural life.
Old Bridge and Old Town
The Old Bridge area in the Old Town is considered an outstanding example of a multicultural urban settlement. The rebuilt bridge and the Old Town also stand for reconciliation, international cooperation and the coexistence of different cultural, ethnic and religious communities. The site’s architectural history is thus linked to its social and cultural significance.
The Old Bridge Museum presents the reconstruction project for the 16th-century bridge, which took place from 1999 to 2004. The Tara and Halebija towers are also among the museum’s topics. This makes it possible to consider the historic bridge and its later reconstruction as distinct chapters. The museum also includes an observation platform in the Tara Tower complex on the left bank of the Neretva.
An authentic archaeological site lies beneath the tower entrance. Other exhibitions display movable archaeological artifacts as well as archival and architectural documents. Alongside the history of a well-known structure, the focus also falls on finds and records that convey other aspects of its past.
Collections on Life and Culture
The permanent exhibition “Life and Culture of the Urban and Rural Population of Mostar and Its Surroundings” explores the life and culture of these communities. Its topics also include Herzegovinian food culture, the tradition of drinking coffee and tobacco cultivation. The exhibition thus broadens the focus beyond architectural history to everyday life and regional culture.
At the MUM Interpretation Centre, an ethnological collection comprises 70 exhibits. The Old Bridge Museum and the MUM Interpretation Centre therefore have different focuses: one presents, among other things, the bridge’s reconstruction and archaeological materials, while the other features a collection with an ethnological focus. Visitors interested in Mostar can thus find several cultural-historical perspectives rather than just one story about a building.
Buildings and Different Eras
The Karađozbeg Mosque was built in 1557 to a design by the Turkish architect Kodža Mimar Sinan. Mitropolija Vladičin Dvor was built in 1908 during the Austro-Hungarian period. These dates point to different historical contexts and provide a reference for placing Mostar’s architectural history in time.
A much earlier period is represented by the late antique basilica in Cim, which dates from the end of the 5th century or the beginning of the 6th century. The basilica’s archaeological site was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina on January 20, 2004. The Franciscan monastery building also houses a significant collection of paintings by Italian masters from the 16th and 17th centuries. The archaeological site and the painting collection represent further facets of cultural history, alongside medieval and modern-era buildings.
An Event with Its Own Route
The Mostar Run Weekend takes place every year. Its route crosses six city bridges and passes natural and cultural landmarks. If you would like to take the event into account when planning your trip, check the specific event dates. The route connects several bridges and landmarks within a dedicated event setting, adding another perspective on the city to its historical themes.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Ježeprosina, Višići, Neum, Ivanica, Čitluk, Stolac, Prozor, Čapljina
Back to the main travel overview: Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.
