[wzslider autoplay=”true”]We know everything about the seven Wonders of the World, from the pyramids of Egypt, through the Roman Coliseum, to the gardens of Babylon. However, there are many other beautiful places that deserve our attention as well. Quora Magazine published a list of seven “alternative” wonders of our planet.
Besides Great Mosque of Djenne (Mali), Chand Baori (India), Palace of Parliament in Bucharest (Romania), Fortress Kumbhalgarh (India), Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque (Iran) and Derawar Fort (Pakistan), the list also included Mostar’s Old Bridge.
Old Bridge in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The construction of the Mostar Old Bridge was ordered by the Sultan Sulejman the Magnificent and it was made by Mimar Hajrudin in the 16th century. He stood for 427 years until 1993, when it was destroyed during the war in BiH.
It was renovated and reopened on the 23rd of May 2004. It is on the list of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visitors are not only admiring the architectural beauty but also jumpers from the bridge into the Neretva River, from a height of 24 meters.
Mostar was named after the wooden bridge (mostari – bridge keepers) which was on that place before it was rebuilt in 1520 into stone one. Bridge survived Ottoman period, Austro-Hungarian era, World War II, and in the war 1992 – 1995, Mostar was badly damaged and the Old Bridge of Mostar was entirely destroyed.
The Old Bridge was reconstructed and totally renovated in 2004. Materials used for renovation are stones from the original one pulled out from the river.
According to UNESCO, “The Old Bridge area, with its pre-Ottoman, eastern Ottoman, Mediterranean and western European architectural features, is an outstanding example of a multicultural urban settlement. The reconstructed Old Bridge and Old City of Mostar is a symbol of reconciliation, international co-operation and of the coexistence of diverse cultural, ethnic and religious communities.”
(Source: Radiosarajevo.ba / baklansgeotourism.travel)
