When you think of stunning bridges, it’s likely the world-renowned ones that come to mind. Engineering masterpieces such as San Francisco’s Golden Gate, or the historical significance of London Bridge.
Nevertheless, according to Time Out magazine, the ‘most beautiful’ bridge globally is a modest stone arch nestled in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stari Most, meaning ‘Old Bridge’, sits in Mostar, a city positioned along the banks of the Neretva River. Commissioned by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557 and finished in 1566, the bridge comprises local limestone and crosses the river without employing any central supports. In 1993, the original structure was demolished by bombing during the Bosnian War.
UNESCO supported its restoration, with divers retrieving the original stones from the river and stonemasons utilising the same 16th-century implements to reconstruct the edifice as faithfully as possible.
UNESCO describes Stari Most as “a symbol of reconciliation, international co-operation and of the coexistence of diverse cultural, ethnic and religious communities”.
The bridge is visually breathtaking, towering 27 metres above the emerald green river beneath.
There is also an extensive tradition of thrill-seekers and competitors diving from the bridge into the water.
The earliest documented jump dates back to 1664, according to Bosnian Voyager. By the 19th century, it had become a visitor hotspot, with travellers from across the continent making their way to the bridge to witness thrill-seekers plunge into the waters below.
Since 2016, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series has turned Mostar’s bridge into a premier international sporting venue that preserves the tradition. The event occurs in late July, with crowds gathering along the riverbanks to observe elite divers leap from the bridge.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
