The Day Every True Mostar Resident Cried: The Old Bridge Was Destroyed, But Emerged for Those Who Love It

MOSTAR, (Patria) - On this day in 1993, the Old Bridge was destroyed. During the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992-1995, the 'Old' was first partially damaged by Serb forces and the JNA, and then on November 9, 1993, the HVO destroyed the Old Bridge as part of a campaign of shelling and terrorizing Mostar, writes Patria.

A day earlier, on November 8, 1993, the HVO began the campaign to destroy the bridge by firing dozens of projectiles at the arch and towers of the Bridge, which ended with its final destruction.

The world-famous arch was destroyed after 427 years of existence. The Old Bridge in Mostar was built between 1556 and 1557. It is the work of the Turkish builder Mimar Hayruddin, by order of Suleiman the Magnificent. Legend has it that Hayruddin, upon completion of the construction, did not have the courage to watch the scaffolding being removed from the bridge. When the scaffolding was removed, a stone crescent of wondrous appearance and beauty emerged over the Neretva.

The ceremonial opening of the renovated bridge was held on July 27, 2004.

UNESCO included it on the list of world cultural heritage.

The Old Bridge is one of the symbols of BiH, and thousands of tourists visit Mostar annually, admiring the beauty of the unique stone arch. The bridge in Mostar has been an inspiration to many writers, painters, photographers, singers...