Old Bridge Museum

Old Bridge Museum Mostar sits directly beside the iconic Stari Most, offering one of the most immersive ways to understand the bridge’s history, symbolism and engineering. Built within the Tara Tower, the museum rises vertically, guiding visitors through three compact but richly curated levels that reveal how the Old Bridge shaped Mostar’s identity for more than four centuries. One of the most interesting facts is that the museum preserves original Ottoman documents describing the bridge’s construction under architect Mimar Hayruddin, a student of the legendary Sinan. The bridge stood from 1566 until its destruction in 1993, and its reconstruction—completed in 2004 using traditional techniques—became a global symbol of reconciliation. Inside, the first level presents archaeological findings uncovered during the reconstruction, including stone fragments and structural elements that show how the original arch was engineered. The second level features multimedia installations with wartime footage, photographs and testimonies illustrating the bridge’s cultural significance and the emotional impact of its loss. The top level opens onto a viewing terrace, offering one of the most striking perspectives of Stari Most and the Neretva River.