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Stari Most
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Landmark
The Stari Most, or Old Bridge, is the iconic landmark of Mostar and a masterpiece of Ottoman engineering in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Commissioned by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, it was built between 1557 and 1566 by the architect Mimar Hayruddin, a student of the legendary Sinan. The single-arch stone bridge spans 28.7 meters across the Neretva River and was considered a technological marvel of its time due to its height and width. Tragically, on November 9, 1993, during the Bosnian War, the bridge was destroyed by artillery fire, leading to international condemnation. Following the conflict, an extensive reconstruction project using traditional methods and original materials was undertaken, leading to its grand reopening on July 23, 2004. In 2005, the bridge and its surrounding historic district were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, representing unity and the enduring spirit of the local community.
- Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Top sights: Old bridge · Old bridge Museum · MuM
- Nearby: Vrelo Bune (11 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 101 | 96 | 91 | 76 | 77 | 74 | 48 | 48 | 86 | 98 | 120 | 115 |
📋 Practical info
Visiting
Stari Most is a pedestrian bridge freely accessible around the clock. You can walk across it and view it from both sides - a must in Mostar.
Typical hours
As a public bridge, there are no visiting hours. However, the surrounding streets can be busy at certain times; early morning is the quietest.
Photography
Photography is unrestricted from the bridge itself and the banks. The most famous angle is from the side where the bridge mirrors in the river.
Time needed
Crossing and a short stay take 20-30 minutes. For those exploring the surrounding bazaars, allow 1-2 hours.
Combine with
Pair the visit with a walk through Mostar's old town. The nearby Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque also has a great view.
Getting there
The bridge is in central Mostar, easily reached on foot. It's about a 15-minute walk from the bus station through the old town.
Insider tip
A tip: Come in the late afternoon when the sun paints the bridge golden. You can also watch the traditional dive of young men into the water.
Geography
Facts
- The bridge was completed in 1566 after nine years of intensive construction.
- The arch has a span of 28.7 meters and rises 24 meters above the river level.
- The bridge was completely destroyed by artillery on November 9, 1993.
- Exactly 1,088 blocks of local Tenelija stone were used for the reconstruction.
- The official reopening ceremony was held on July 23, 2004.
- It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the year 2005.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Stari Most (10)
Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque🏛 museum
Mosque in Mostar, now a museum and place of worship.
The Crooked Bridge
Footbridge in Mostar, built at an angle.
Crooked Bridge
Bridge over Radobolja in Mostar, historic structure.
Nesuh Age Vučjakovića džamija
Mosque in Bosnia and Herzegovina, prayer site.
Clock Tower
Clock tower in Mostar, city landmark.
Lučki most
Bridge in Mostar, connecting districts.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
When was the bridge originally built?
It was completed in 1566 by the Ottoman architect Mimar Hayruddin.
What happened in 1993?
The bridge was destroyed by shelling during the Bosnian War.
When was it reopened?
In July 2004 after a faithful reconstruction with UNESCO support.
How high is the bridge?
The arch rises about 24 meters above the Neretva river.
Is there a fee to cross the bridge?
No, crossing the bridge is free for pedestrians.
Stari Most: where is it located?
Stari Most is located in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Stari Most: what is there to see?
Highlights include Old bridge, Old bridge Museum, MuM.
Stari Most: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Stari Most: why is it worth visiting?
The Stari Most, or Old Bridge, is the iconic landmark of Mostar and a masterpiece of Ottoman engineering in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Nearby cities
Mostar
Historic city in Herzegovina, famous for the reconstructed Old Bridge (Stari Most).
Vrelo Bune
One of the strongest karst springs in Europe, where the Buna river emerges from a deep cave.
East Mostar
East Mostar is a small municipality in Republika Srpska adjacent to Mostar.
Nevesinje
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Čapljina
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Boračko Lake
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Stolac
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Hutovo Blato
A unique nature reserve and wetland in Herzegovina, considered one of the most important resting places for migratory birds in Europe.
Prud
An idyllic village at the source of the Norin River, known for its pristine nature and proximity to the ruins of Narona.
Vid
A historical village on the banks of the Norin, built on the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Narona, featuring a globally unique museum.
Metković
Metkovic is located on the banks of the Neretva River near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Orah
A picturesque village in the Dalmatian hinterland, known for its fertile vineyards and location near the town of Vrgorac.
Otrić-Seoci
The administrative center of the Pojezerje municipality in the Neretva hinterland, known for viticulture and its untouched nature.
Kobiljača
A small village in the Neretva hinterland, located on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina in a typical karst landscape.
Veliki Prolog
A border village near Vrgorac, known as the gateway to the fertile Rastok field and for its significant strawberry and grape cultivation.
History & landmarks
Blagaj
A 16th-century Dervish monastery nestled at the base of a 200-meter cliff next to a spring.
Blagaj Tekke
A historic Dervish monastery, picturesquely situated at the source of the Buna river.
Počitelj
A historic fortified village on the banks of the Neretva.
Hutovo Blato Nature Park
One of the most important bird reserves in Europe.
Žitomislić Monastery
A significant Serbian Orthodox monastery in the Neretva valley, south of Mostar.
Historic Village of Počitelj
Počitelj is a medieval and Ottoman urban settlement on the banks of the Neretva river.
Ljubuški Fortress
This fortress on Butorovica hill is also known as the Fortress of Herceg Stjepan and overlooks the town of Ljubuški.
Nature
Mostarska Blata
Mostarska Blata is a seasonal wetland and karst basin located west of Mostar.
Kravica Waterfalls
These tufa waterfalls on the Trebižat River are surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation.
Koćuša Waterfall
A wide waterfall on the Trebižat River near Ljubuški.
Čvrsnica
Čvrsnica is one of the highest mountains in Herzegovina, home to the natural phenomenon 'Hajdučka vrata', a massive natural stone arch.
More places
Bišćević House
One of the best-preserved Ottoman residential houses in Mostar, located right on the banks of the Neretva.
Aluminij Mostar
Aluminij Mostar is the most important industrial enterprise in the Herzegovina region and a significant exporter of raw aluminum.
Blagaj Fortress
Located above the Buna spring, Blagaj Fortress was once the seat of the Dukes of St.
Čabulja
Čabulja is located in western Herzegovina above the city of Mostar.
FEAL Široki Brijeg
FEAL is a leading specialist for aluminum profiles and construction systems based in Široki Brijeg.
Saint James Church
The central parish church of Međugorje and a world-famous Catholic pilgrimage site.
Prenj
The Prenj mountain range is often referred to as the 'Himalaya of Herzegovina', known for its rugged peaks and deep valleys.
Daorson
Daorson was the capital of the Hellenized Illyrian tribe of the Daorsi.