I arrived at the Old Town of Mostar misty-eyed and sentimental. How can a place be this beautiful?
Just days ago, I witnessed the bluest of seas and earth's most beautiful stretch of mountains as I traveled across Greece, Albania and Montenegro. Being able to experience all of Balkans' raw, undisguised beauty will forever remain as my life's best adventure.
Mostar is different.
This quaint Ottoman town is laced with cobblestone streets and charming old stone buildings. There is so much more to this town than just the iconic Old Bridge. It welcomes hearty locals and curious visitors alike to its lush forested mountains, cherished medieval holy sites and offbeat statues. One can blithely swim under waterfalls, explore abandoned ruins and be on an endless hunt for creative expressions left behind by poetical artists in the form of street art.
Top 5 Things to See in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Stari Most
Stari Most or Old Bridge is a rebuilt 16th-century Ottoman bridge which crosses the river Neretva. It is the most iconic landmark in the country and an exemplary Balkan Islamic architecture that is 28 meters long and 20 meters in height. In mid summer each year, the Stari Most diving competition is held where bold local men jump off the bridge and into the cold Neretva river - making it a sight not to be missed!
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Stari Most: Mostar Old Bridge |
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The Stari Most connects two parts of Mostar |
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Mostar Old Bridge spanning the picturesque Neretva River |
Čaršija
Located in the heart of Mostar's Old Town is a lively market, which streets are lined with stalls selling copper tableware, traditional pipe flutes, colorful rugs and delicate souvenirs.
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Visit the Čaršija at Mostar |
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Mostar: An Enchanting Balkan City |
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The busy market of Čaršija |
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Mostar Old Market |
Koski Mehmed Paša Mosque
Built on the river bank just 150 meters away from Stari Most, this is the second biggest mosque in Mostar. Similar to the bridge, the building was also destroyed in the war and was rebuilt to be restored to what it is today.
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Koski Mehmed Paša Mosque
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Ottomon influences can be observed in the art and architecture of Mostar |
Kravica Waterfalls
Located 40 kilometers south of Mostar, Kravica makes a popular swimming and picnic destination in the summer. Tourists can find restaurants, cafes, a rope swing, an old mill and a sailing ship around the waterfall to fuel their travel adventures.
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Kravice Waterfalls at Mostar |
Don't Forget Stones
The Siege of Mostar took place twice - in 1992 and 1993. It resulted in approximately 2,000 casualties, 90,000 refugees and the destruction of historic bridges, religious buildings and cultural institutions. Today, tourists can find stones placed across the town to remind them of the history and the lives lost to the wars.
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Don't Forget Stones in Mostar |
Mostar is an incredibly beautiful destination, perfected with distinctive Ottoman-style buildings, friendly locals and delightful Bosnian fares. It deserves a place on everyone's travel wish list!
Happy traveling! Don't forget to share your travel & dining moments with us on Instagram by tagging @rollinggrace or #RollingGrace. Happy travelling!
The amazing part is when the river soooo clean and beautiful even located in between of crowded places. This place is truly magical ❤️
ReplyDeleteBila tengok suasana negara ornag ni memg lain dari lain. Tengok craft dia lawa2. View pun cntik.. Sungai bersih betul
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you compared the Balkans to Southeast Asia. Based on the only Balkan state I've been to (Bulgaria), I think I have to agree.
ReplyDeleteSenibina arkitektur Islam memang cantik. Btw emerald river tu betui2 hijau ye sedangkan tak adalah pokok2 hutan hijau tepi sungai. Yg penting tmpat2 nya lawo.
ReplyDeleteEven my eyes tear up as I read your post - so imagine being there yourself.
ReplyDeleteLooking at that emerald green river from a bird’s view is everything!
Love love design bangunan kat sini. Begitu juga pemandangan sangat cantik dan menarik
ReplyDeleteMasa baca tu Nur bayangkan diri Nur ada dekat sana. Bestnya! Emerald green river. Beautiful waterfall. Old stone building. Moga ada rezeki ke sana
ReplyDeleteCantiknya pemandangan kat sana.. siapa sangka tempat yang pernah diserang bangkit seindah ini
ReplyDeletewah so many breathtaking views here. i wish once in lifetime I can go here.. thanks sharing the list of amazing places
ReplyDeletereally enjoyed my view & read of this sharing, thanks for all the beautiful photos, cannot travel & reading travel stories to ease the miss travel feeling. cheers, siennylovesdrawing
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! While eating and reading your blog is nice! I imagined myself there too!
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