Mostar Warnings and Dangers

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You cannot help but notice the signs warning you to stay clear of ruined buildings as you walk around Mostar. They may look as though they've been there for years - as indeed they have - but they are to be heeded. It's perfectly safe to walk around Mostar but don't be tempted to climb on that crumbling wall for a great photo angle. The danger is more from unstable masonry than anything else but there is still the possibility of unexploded ordinance lurking, undiscovered and unstable.

Similarly, in the countryside, keep to clearly defined paths and areas where there have obviously been people passing or stopping before you, especialy in remoter areas - unattractive as it is, litter is a sign that that picnic place you're looking for has been used before.

There has never been a tourist blown up by a land mine in BiH but that does not mean to say the danger does not exist.

I was an American wandering the Muslim Quarter with nothing but Croatian currency in my wallet when I arrived. I asked someone at the bus station if the Kuna (Croatian) was accepted and she shook her head indicating that it was not a good idea. After getting robbed in Split, Croatia, my choices were limited and my access to cash was basically cut off, so needless to say, I was very budget conscious while in Mostar. I had read that one might experience some resentment toward Westerners here and the lady's reaction to the Kuna at the bus station confirmed this.

Fortunately, I was able to find a tourist information place (privately run) and a lady who spoke good English. She was able to exchange some Kuna for the local currency, the Convertible Marka (at a terrible rate for me, but oh well!).

Throughout Mostar you will see buildings that were shelled, tank-blasted and dotted with bullet holes. In fact, I'd say that at least 70% of the buildings in the Old Town are still showing obvious scars of the war.

I have written in several of my pages that I collected photos of school warning road signs. This one is of the modern type found in several European countries but has the word s^kola written underneath.

I will soon have enough school warning road signs photos to collect them in an album!

Don't park your car when you see the warning like this one. There are lot of damaged buildings in Mostar and people use to park in front of them on pedestrian pavement. There are lot of parking spots where you can park your car without worry that it will be destroyed.

I had a bad tummy the day I arrived in Mostar and I was frantically in need of a bathroom.

I went into a smart looking local coffee shop and asked to use the facilities. I couldn't believe it - they were literally a hole in the floor.

See pic attached.

I am told that they are not all like that, but I didn't check any others to verify;-)

Sweat was dripping down my neck in the 35 degree heat of a scorching summer day in Split when we told a local we were heading to Mostar. Whew! He said. Be careful of the heat. He wasn't kidding.

Mostar is a cauldron of heat in the summer. The town sits in a natural bowl surrounded by mountains, and the temperature soars on summer afternoons. It was around 40 every day we were there.

Thankfully the mountains also mean it tends to get very cool in the evenings. It's a really good idea to plan your day around the heat, and do your sightseeing in the morning and early evening. The light is best around this time anyway. Take pictures at midday and that scolding sun will white out your pictures.

It was quite safe to roam around Mostar freely but you have to heed the warnings posted on many ruined buildings " Keep Out Dangerous Ruin" They are not to be taken lightly. These buidlings were not safe and could fall and the real threat of unexploded ammunition also exists!! Lets hope these are soon cleaned up, 12 years is a long time!! where is world help , we wondered.

Like much of the Balkans, Mostar felt very safe. The burned out, bullet ridden buildings that still haunt the town can give parts of it the feeling of being in ghetto crime zone, but I don't think you'll be in danger of a mugging anywhere. I felt comfortable walking around during the day or night, especially in the old town.