Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Mostar Bridge was very famous and historical bridge before its destruction in 1993 during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina (part of former Yugoslavia). The elegant bridge spanned the Neretva River and was designed by the Ottoman (Turkish) architect Mimar Hayruddin. It was completed in 1566 after nine years of construction and the surrounding town became a thriving center of commerce. The bridge was 29 feet long and stood at a height of 20 meters, a classic example of a single span stone bridge, and was an example of advanced technology of its time. It became a World Heritage Site in the twentieth century ..

The Ottoman Sultan swore to run Mimar Hayruddin if the bridge collapsed after it was removed the wooden supports (how to build a stone arch?). It is said that Hayruddin started digging his own grave in the day braces were removed. However, the bridge remained 429 years, a testament to its excellent design and construction.

UNESCO, the World Bank and the city of Mostar have launched a project to rebuild the Old Bridge. As much of the original white limestone as possible will be rescued from the river bed. New stone is also mined from nearby quarries in order to complete the reconstruction in 2004. The reconstruction of the bridge symbolizes the reunification of Mostar and will be part of the healing process of this ethnically divided city.

One of the more unusual forms the bridge was used as a great platform diving or jumping.