Ruins everywhere
by Rusket
I would not say this is a "Favourite thing"! But that is a standard headline in general tips, nothing I can do about that :-(
Wherever you go you see ruins from the last war. In ex Jugoslavia people were not concerned who was what, and there were / are many mixed marriages. Families and friends were split by front lines. The main street Marshal Tito was the front line during the war between Croats and Muslims, and some of these pictures are from both sides of this street. A croatian woman I met who lived in the muslim side, was not able to go to her mother`s funeral, she had to be driven across by international forces.
But the riuns or granade and shotgun marked buildings are situated everywhere, since there were several front lines. At times people did not know who was shooting at who. Sadly, but understandably, there is still a lot of hate beetween the citisens of Mostar. But they all tell the same tale: "Everything was better before, we used to live in peace with our neighbours, we had jobs, we lived a good life, we did not need this war."
Building projects are going on, some of them are shown in the TL "Old and new"
Mostar
by Veroali
Stari most (Old bridge) plays very important role in Mostar. Apparently, the most important. The name of the city "Mostar" relates to the bridge as well. Most means bridge and mostar means a man who takes care of the brigde. So that's it, if you are in Mostar, you must see the bridge!
Short history
by Prasnjavi
The oldest written document about Mostar dated from 1452 when Dubrovnik's chronologists, together with Blagaj (in that time capital of Herzegovina), mentioned two towers together with an iron wire-bridge which is "hugging" Neretva River. It is supposed that there was no bigger settlement then just a fortress. First time, Mostar was mentioned as a settlement after 22 years later. After Turkish occupation of Blagaj 1468, and whole Herzegovina 1482, Mostar started with a quick developing. Soon, settlement was mentioned as Mostar, as historians say, according the bridge-keepers "Mostari" ("most" means bridge, "mostari" is something like "bridgers") in the towers. A few years later, Mostar became the capital after Herzegovinian Bey moved his seat there.
After Austro-Hungarian occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina, they started building of education, governing and communal buildings: electrical light (1885-1911), hotel "Neretva" and First Gymnasium (1897-1905, city bath (1914), Emperor Bridge...
This is the short history of this beautiful city on beautiful river. I had ugly rainy weather during my last visit (20-24th October 2003), and I couldn't take better shots, but I hope that I will represent you the city as much as I can.
Look for the bombed out mall . . . .
by acemj
. . . and you'll find a place to surf the net. I needed to get online to monitor my accounts after having been robbed earlier in my trip. And at one Marka for an hour, I decided to check in with some friends and let them know of my safe arrival.
It was interesting to be in the heart of the Muslim Quarter and surrounded by local kids all playing western video games and watching the owners chuckling as they watched a small TV mounted high in the corner of the ceiling blaring "Pretty Woman" complete and unedited with all its western charm (there's nothing like a good hooker movie to accompany the sounds of prayers from the mosques).
Cultural Etiquette
by Kariba
When entering a Muslim home or mosque - it's polite (required) to remove your shoes before doing so. It's preferable that women have their shoulders covered & it's better to wear trousers than shorts (both men & women). Also when shaking hands or exchanging goods with hands - always use your right hand - it's considered to be your clean hand. Other than that, common sense prevails. If you're in doubt there's no harm in asking as it shows interest & respect for other people's values & culture.
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Riverside Bridge Bar, Mostar
The Front Line, Mostar
Catholic Cathedral, Mostar
River Neretva, Mostar
