This bridge was built by the Ottoman Turks in 1566 and is the main attraction in Mostar. It was destroyed during the latest war, but was rebuilt in 2004. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Diving from the Old Bridge
During the day, members of the Mostar Diving Club can dive off the bridge into the emerald green waters. For the daredevils amongst you, diving 21 metres into the Neretva River gives you a certificate from the Mostar Diving Club for 25 Euros.

The Kriva Cuprija or "Sloping Bridge" was built by the Ottoman architect Cejvan Kethoda in 1558. It is the oldest single-arch stone bridge in Mostar. This bridge is an exact replica of the original bridge which stood for over 400 years and was designed by Hajrudin, a student of the great architect Sinan. It spans 28.7 metres across the Neretva River and stands 21 metres above the water level in the summer. The Halebija and Tara Towers have always been the guardians of the bridge and during Ottoman times were storehouses for ammunition.  It is believed that this bridge was meant to be a trial before the structure of the Stari Most began. The Old Bridge was said to be one of the greatest architectural constructions in the Ottoman-ruled Balkan region and was completed in 1566. No matter how many times you cross the Stari Most, it will always be an exciting experience.

Apart from the Stari Most, there are a number of other picturesque bridges throughout Mostar. Some of the others are the Lucki Bridge, Carinski (Emperor) Bridge, Bridge Musala, which is the second oldest bridge, and the Bunur Bridge, which is the most recent bridge in Mostar.

The Karadoz–Bey Mosque was built in 1557 in Herzegovina by a Turkish architect named Kodza Mimar Sinan. It ranks among the most beautiful mosque in these regions. With its huge dome and high minarets, it is also the biggest one. This mosque, like the others in Mostar, was damaged in the various wars that took place. During the Second World War, it was severely damaged and in the last Yugoslav War, it was almost completely destroyed. However, the mosque is rebuilt now and today it is ready to proudly receive visitors once again.

Crossing over from the West bank to the East bank, you will also come upon the mythical point where the East and the West are said to have met. The oldest mosque in Mostar, The Cejvan Cehaj Mosque, which was built in 1552, lies on top of the stairs to the right. Later, a “Madrassa” or religious Islamic school was built in the same complex. Kujundziluk in the Old Bazaar is named after the goldsmiths who conventionally crafted and sold their merchandise on this street. This is the best place in town to find authentic paintings and carvings of the “Stari Most” in copper and bronze. It is also the best place to find pomegranates, the symbol of Herzegovina, and the famous “stecaks” or medieval tombstones.

The Koski Mohammed Pasha Mosque built in 1617 is also open to visitors. Visitors are allowed to take photos for free here in this mosque. The top of the minaret is also accessible for visitors and spirals up from within the mosque, for those of you who are willing to bear the dizziness on the way up! However, the view is worth the way to the top! As you leave the mosque, just around the corner is the Tepa market. From Ottoman times this market has been a busy place. It now mostly sells products freshly grown in Herzegovina. You just can’t beat the quality of fruits like figs and pomegranates when in season. Look out for the local honey, which is organically produced in the villages all around Herzegovina, which receive ample sunshine.

The recently renovated Catholic Church is impossible to overlook. It has a steeple measuring over 30 metres, which towers over the skyline. The bishop’s residence in Mostar was patterned on Viennese architecture, which greatly adds to the town’s charm and is an example of the more recent Catholic traditions in this region. The Rondo, by the roundabout towards the west, was the former Cultural Centre of Mostar city. It is now home to the Croatian Cultural Centre and undoubtedly worth a visit. The Partisan Memorial Cemetery which commemorates the departed partisans is located in Bijeli Brijeg, off Fourth Street KP Kresimira. This area of town has a lot of green foliage and is also a lovely place for a leisurely walk, which gives you a wonderful view of the city.

The Bulevar Revolucije is the former frontline, where in 1993 the city was divided between the Croats on the West and the Muslims on the Eastern side. Walking along this boulevard, seeing the bombed out buildings which still stand in this area, is a surreal and sobering experience.

Pocitelj lies to the left on the road to Dubrovnik. You can take the yellow bus, number 41, to Capljina and you will reach this historical village around 45 minutes later. There are a couple of good Ottoman buildings here, dating back a few centuries. In particular, the Mosque of Hadzi Alija, is worth visiting. Pocitelj also gives an excellent view of the Neretva River.

The town of Medjugorje, around 25 km from Mostar, has become a “must-see” destination for pilgrims travelling here from around the world. This is because of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary seen by a youth. Buses leave every few hours from the bus station.

Ploce in Croatia is the nearest point to the ocean and is easily accessible from Mostar, with numerous buses and trains running daily. Beaches which lie north of the city are the best for swimming.

The earliest documentary reference to Mostar as a settlement dates back to 1452. The Ottomans took over Mostar In 1468 and called it Kopruhisar, which means “fortress on the water”. In the late 16th century, Mostar was the chief administrative city in the Herzegovina region for the Ottoman Empire. The Austro-Hungarian Empire captured Mostar in 1878 and later, in the aftermath of World War I, became part of Yugoslavia. In 1939, Mostar became a part of the Banovina of Croatia. It was an important city in the Independent State of Croatia during the Second World War.
Since the end of the long war in 1995, great progress has been made toward the reconstruction of Mostar city. Over 15 million dollars have been spent on its restoration. The city was directly monitored by a representative from the European Union. Several elections were held and each nation of the EU was given political control over the city.