Mostar is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is named after the bridge keepers on the river Neretva. Neretva flows under one of the most famous bridges in Europe – The Old Bridge. The Old Bridge has been, together with Stari Grad, on the list of the protected cultural heritage of UNESCO since 2005. The population in Mostar is 113,000 inhabitants.
Typical traditional Bosnian cuisine is characterized by delicious Balkan specialities which mix the flavours of both the East and West. Apart from including an extensive range of meats – above all veal,lamb, chicken and fi sh (particularly trout, bred in the fi sh-breeding tanks all over the country) – many dishes are served with legumes, fruits and vegetables; in particular, courgettes, carrots, sweet peppers, aubergines, spinach, beans, onions, garlic and tomatoes.
Then all is seasoned with salt, pepper, a little chilli pepper, a lot of parsley and, sometimes, some laurel. The use of fresh primary goods, mostly produced organically, makes this type of cuisine particularly tasty and of a high quality. Bosnian cuisine uses many spices, although only in small quantities, and the final result is light as a lot of water is used in the preparation of the dishes. The sauces are totally natural as they are based mainly on vegetable juices used in the various recipes; yoghurt is often served with the meal.The typical cuisine has been influenced by Turkish, Greek and Mediterranean cooking in general, and also by that of northern-Europe due to the period of domination by the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.Pork is not frequently used because of its Muslim population.
The Herzegovina cuisine is slightly different from that of Bosnia: it uses more green vegetables in the preparation of its dishes and is both lighter and tastier. Turkish and Greek influences are nowadays an integral part of its traditional gastronomy but, in the past few years, European flavours, particularly Italian, have also entered into its recipes.The enormous variety of dairy products, such as milk, yoghurt, cottage cheese, fresh and seasoned cheeses (some similar to Parmesan cheese) are proudly made only by hand and many of them are available directly from the local markets.Mostar is full of places where you can taste delicious dishes at fair prices; all you have to do is go to one of the many resaurants and cafes of the old city. Amongst the cheaper places to be mentioned, are the buregdžinica, which off er snacks based on savoury stuff ed tarts, and some snack bars with traditional, take-away dishes (“aščinica”).
The establishment of the city of Mostar is related to the construction of two towers in the middle of the fifteenth century, and the city’s name appears for the first time in the Ottoman population list 1468-1469. years. At the time, Mostar was described as a small fortification with a hanging wooden bridge. The Ottomans conquered Mostar in 1468, which was then counted by only about twenty households on both sides of the Neretva. Over the next two centuries, Mostar was increasingly developing and it became the economic headquarters of Herzegovina. During this period, many monuments and buildings in Ottoman style, such as mosques, bridges, public baths and numerous residential buildings, were built.
In 1878, Bosnia and Herzegovina was occupied by the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, which left great traces on the cultural life and development of the city. Mostar, which was until then infused with the orientalism of the Ottoman Empire, was increasingly influenced by elements of Central European architecture under the impact of the Habsburg monarchy. Between two world wars, Mostar, like the rest of the country went through a difficult period, but soon after that recovered, the population tripled, and trade and agriculture were developed and modernized.
Mostar offers numerous hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, and rooms for rent. Regardless of the amount of your budget, Mostar has the options to suit everyone. For those looking for a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere, private accommodation will be ideal, which is often more affordable than a hotel.
The Hub of Fine Arts
Unique intersection of modernist stylistic expression and the greatest artists of the first half of the twentieth century. More than 100 exhibits offer excellent insight into the constants and revolutionary aspects of these artworks, revealing all the uniqueness of an age and this potential is the reference point for the creation of a museum exhibit concept.
The Hamam Museum
Authentic cultural monument, which takes visitors back to the distant past and witnesses the most beautiful stories of the former way of living.
The Herzegovina Museum
For those who wish to get more acquainted with the history of Mostar and Herzegovina, this small but pretty museum is a must; it stands in the rooms of the house where Džemal Bijedić lived, the former head of the Yugoslav Government who died in a plane accident in 1977. The building, constructed in the Austrian-Hungarian period, is an example of a successful mixture of the style of Austrian dwellings with architectural features of Oriental residences.
Museums and galleries
For those who wish to get more acquainted with the history of Mostar and Herzegovina, this small but pretty museum is a must; it stands in the rooms of the house where Džemal Bijedić lived, the former head of the Yugoslav Government who died in a plane accident in 1977. The building, constructed in the Austrian-Hungarian period, is an example of a successful mixture of the style of Austrian dwellings with architectural features of Oriental residences.
Museum of the Old Bridge
The museum, opened in 2006, to celebrate the second anniversary of the reconstruction of the bridge, has its premises inside the Tara Tower complex and is made up of three distinct sections.The first, represented by the Tower itself, displays an exhibition of objects of archaeological interest discovered during the reconstruction carried out in 2002, all of which are enriched by informative charts that explain the principal historical events connected to the Bridge.
Interpretation Centre
It is a project of the museum type, which in a modern way audio, visual and narrative units reflects the natural beauty of Herzegovina and the most important historical events. Interpretation Centre has a valuable ethnological collection with 70 exhibits, which, by its concept, opening story of spiritual and religious life in this region.
Michelangelo Gallery
