Stari Most, the Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been named the world's most beautiful bridge by Time Out magazine. The small stone arch, commissioned by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557 and completed in 1566, spans the Neretva River without central pillars, standing 27 metres above the emerald waters.
History and Reconstruction
The original bridge was destroyed by shelling in 1993 during the Bosnian War. With UNESCO aid, reconstruction involved recovering original stones from the river and using 16th-century tools to recreate the structure. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, described as "a symbol of reconciliation, international co-operation and of the coexistence of diverse cultural, ethnic and religious communities."
Cliff Diving Tradition
Stari Most has a long history of daredevil jumps. The first recorded leap dates back to 1664, according to Bosnian Voyager. By the 19th century, it became a tourist attraction. Since 2016, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series has used the bridge as a venue, with the competition held in late July, drawing spectators to watch world-class divers.
