Old Bridge, a photo from Bosniak-Croat, Ouest

Photographer's Note

Mostar has a story to tell. It is the story of the Old Bridge, an elegant single span arch built over the river Neretva by the Ottoman Turks. Mostar is an old city, established in the 15th century when a small settlement began to form around an old Roman wooden bridge over the Neretva river, but the name Mostar comes from the old white limestone bridge Stari Most (most means bridge, and stari means old – hence Mostar) which was finished in 1566 after nine years construction for the Ottoman emperor Sultan Sleiman the Magnificent.

The master builder was a Turkish engineer, Hayruddin. He was a student of a great builder, Mimar Sinan, who built the bridge over the River Drina in Višegrad. The bridge was also called the ‘Fossilised Crescent’ and was generally regarded a masterpiece of Turkish building technique and elegance. The story goes that the Sultan swore to execute the engineer if this bridge, like previous attempts, collapsed. Not feeling too confident about the success of his project, Hayruddin took to his heels on the day the supports were to be removed. He was eventually found digging his own grave, but the news was not what he expected - the bridge stood and for 429 years the Stari Most stood as a reminder of his excellent engineering.

On November 9, 1993, during bitter civil war in the city, the bridge was shelled by a Bosnian Croat tank from Mt. Hum. One of its last roles had been to allow Muslim defenders of the "left bank" cross the river and take supplies to their supporters and the population that had remained there. It withstood many centuries, but it could not survive this concentrated effort to demolish it. After several direct hits, this magnificent piece of history crashed into the waters below.

Subsequently, a project was set in motion to reconstruct it; the rebuilt bridge opened on 23 July 2004.

At the top of the bridge we can see a man which will jump from there if he collects enough money. This is another attraction behind visiting the famous bridge.

ricardomattos, pajaran, Royaldevon, ikeharel, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, ChrisJ, ktanska, adramad trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

ricardomattos (17460) 2021-10-15 6:48

Oi Zbiginiew

Belissima esta ponte. Gostei do angulo baixo mostrando o rio e emoldurando a cidade e a igreja. Belo trabalhp.

TFS

Ricardo

Gerrit (62042) 2021-10-15 7:39

Hello Zbigniew,
What a greatview on this famous bridge and the town with the minaret as a see-through. The composition is fabulous.
Thanks and regards,
Gerrit

Royaldevon (85862) 2021-10-15 8:56

Hello Zbigniew,

Thank you for the history of this high, single-span bridge. It has had a tumultuous history!

You chose the viewpoint well, anchoring the f/g whilst giving a fine sense of depth to the bridge.
The bridge looks magnificent, high above the water, its span framing the riverside vegetation and buildings.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

lousat (139170) 2021-10-15 9:59

HI Zbigniew, the most famous bridge of Bosnia because the bad recent history, rebuilt in the same style after the war and taken in a beautiful composition with the houses in background under the arcade,very well done! Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

Tue (92302) 2021-10-15 10:29

Hello Zbigniew,
A great photo of this famous bridge. You found a good low viewpoint near the river bank and balanced the composition very nicely.
Lars

Silvio1953 (221463) 2021-10-15 11:51

Ciao Zbgniew, great view of fantastic old bridge, beautiful reflections, excellent clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

ifege (47957) 2021-10-15 23:01

Hi Zbigniew
A good sharp and well composed photo of this famous bridge.
Cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (116377) 2021-10-15 23:23

Hello dear friend
the most impressive detail here
is the excellent chosen point of
view which shows the houses
under this elegant
single span arch built over the river...
magical postcard
regards
costantino

jemaflor (147018) 2021-10-15 23:24

Hi Z,
Nice photo of this famous historic bridge, so paeceful here with calm water and nice water mirror. Good angle of view with in the Bg the town and tower framed by the arche of the bridge, tfs.

ChrisJ (171794) 2021-10-16 0:03

Hello Zbigniew,

A good upward view of this reconstructed bridge from the riverbank below. Excellent sharpness and the people provide scale. Tfs!

GyurMaster (24818) 2021-10-16 2:54

Hello Zbigniew,

You chose a very good angle for the portrayal of this the bridge. It emphasizes its extension. Also, it serve as a good frame for the city-scape, including the minaret tower.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

kasianowak (17676) 2021-10-16 7:01

Czesc Zbigniew
Smutna historia, wiele myslalam o tej wojnie bedac w Mostarze i Sarajewie.
Super kompozycja z widokiem meczetu i miasteczka w ramce mostu. Piekny jest tez kolor rzeki i odbicia w wodzie.
Pozdrawiam
Kasia

ktanska (44714) 2021-10-17 2:47

Hi Zbigniew,
Impressive view of this classic, although rebuilt, bridge. City walls on both sides are timeless, and the story on your note is very interesting. Gentle flow of water looks very nice too.
Kari

abmdsudi (95869) 2021-10-18 20:41

Hi Zbigniew
This must be a popular shooting spot to have the whole of this spectacular scene - the famous 'old-new' bridge connecting parts of the old town over the gorgeous green river. Lovely light and well framed. Congrats
Best regards

dkmurphys (79209) 2021-10-20 23:26

Hello,
Beautiful POV with the iconic bridge. Well captured scene, it looks great.

D

adramad (72934) 2021-10-29 11:18

Hi Zbigniew.
After a few days on the island of Lanzarote, and then others of tourism here in Madrid, accompanying some friends from Barcelona, I am back in good spirits, with all of you.

Wonderful view of this iconic bridge, which after it shines again with its huge arch, perfect as you have framed a view of the city within it.
A fantastic photo, with beautiful natural colors, very good lighting and excellent sharpness.
Very well done. Love it.
Enjoy the weekend.
Very best regards.
Luis.