Mostar Architecture

Kriva Cuprija aka the Crooked Bridge, built during Ottoman rule, is the oldest single-arched stone bridge in Mostar.

• Architect:  Ćejvan Ketoda 
• Architectural Style: Ottoman
• Built: 1558
• Address: 8RP7+M6X, Jusovina, Mostar 88000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Ottoman bridge is a miniature version of the Old Bridge located only 30 meters away.

The Karađoz Bey Mosque aka Karadjoz-Beg Mosque (Karađoz-begova džamija) is one of the largest mosques in the Balkans with a giant dome and high minaret.

• Architect: Mimar  Sinan
• Architectural Style: Ottoman
• Built: opened 1557
• Address: 8RR7+GHJ, Braće Fejića, Mostar 88000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The mosque was severely damaged during World War II and the Bosnian War. However, it was repaired starting in 2002 and reopened in 2004.

Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, with a dome over the one-space floor plan, is located in the center of the old city on the cliffs of the Neretva River.

• Architect: unknown
• Architectural Style: Ottoman
• Built: opened 1618
• Address: Mala Tepa 16, Mostar 80807, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The mosque was restored from 1996 to 2001 following damage suffered during the Bosnian War.

The Nesuh-Aga Vucjakovic Mosque (Nesuh-Age Vučjakovića Džamija) is known as the mosque under the tillage (džamija pod lipom).

• Architect: unknown
• Architectural Style: Ottoman
• Built: 1558 – 1564
• Address: 8RQ8+G7C, Maršala Tita, Mostar 88000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The mosque is unusual due to the stylistic influence of architecture in Dubrovnik. It is also unique because it is one of the only three mosques in Mostar with a dome (The Karađoz Bey and Koski Mehmed Pasha mosques being the others).

The Hadzi-Kurt Mosque (Hadži-Kurtova džamija) aka Tabačica is located approximately 100 meters from the Old Bridge.

• Architect: unknown
• Architectural Style: Ottoman
• Built: (16th to 17th century)
• Address: 8RP7+WHX, Rade Bitange, Mostar 88000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Its name comes from the Turkish word for leatherworkers (tabaci) who once had their workshops in the same area.

Ćejvan-Ćehaja’s Mosque (Ćejvan-Ćehajina Džamija) is one of the oldest monuments in Mostar.

• Architect: unknown
• Built: 1552
• Address: 8RP8+Q8V, Ramića, Mostar 88000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Hadže Tere Jahja Džamija

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Ottoman mosque architecture, featuring a stone prayer hall topped with a shallow lead-covered roof and a slender, pointed minaret—typical of modest 17th-century religious buildings.
• Built: 1620
• Address: Kresina 2, Mostar 88000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

A small-intimate Ottoman-era mosque serving its local community with historical significance dating back to the early 17th century. It retains its original Ottoman form and scale, and sits within Mostar’s Old Town. The mosque’s name, modest architectural design, and its heritage reflect the devotional architecture of its period.

Nezir-agina džamija

• Architect: Unknown (built as an endowment—vakıf—by Nezir‑aga, an Ottoman military officer residing in Mostar)
• Style: Ottoman religious architecture characterized by a simple, square-plan stone structure topped by a single minaret.
• Built: Constructed in the second half of the 16th century, likely around 1550.
• Address: Located in Mostar’s historic Old Town, situated above the plateau near the Kriva ćuprija (Crooked Bridge), on the west side of the Neretva River.

A modest yet historically significant mosque, it stands out as one of the oldest on the west side of the river. The mosque features a small porch (hayat) with benches, framed windows on all walls, and a stone minaret approximately 22 meters tall—positioned to the right of the entrance. Though heavily damaged during the war, it was renovated from 1999 to 2004 and remains in active use today.

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Modest Ottoman-era mesdzid, historically simple in design; lacks ornamental architectural distinction due to frequent modifications over time
• Built: During the reign of Sultan Selim I (1512–1520). No foundation inscription survives, but period attribution is widely accepted.
• Address: Old Town, immediately adjacent to the Old Bridge on the left bank of the Neretva River, on the site of Mostar’s earliest foundations (Hendek area)

A historically significant small prayer structure serving Ottoman soldiers guarding the bridge towers. Recognized as one of Mostar’s earliest religious endowments (vakuf). Its original appearance is largely undocumented; it underwent major repairs in 1882 and post-war restoration in 2004. Today, the building is used by the Islamic community and houses a bookstore.

The Tara and Halebija Towers, known as “the bridge keepers,” are fortified towers on each end of the Old Bridge.

• Built: 1676
• Address: 8RP8+W5H, Mostar 88000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Tara Tower on the east bank was originally a depository for ammunition during the Ottoman era. Today, it houses the Museum of the Old Bridge.

The Halebija Tower on the west bank was used as a lookout post with a prison on the lower floors and barracks on its upper floors.

aka Sahat Kula

• Style: Ottoman
• Built: c. 1630
• Address: 8RQ8+JHJ, Mostar 88000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Biscevic House Museum is a well-preserved Ottoman-style residential building that has been converted into a museum with traditional furnishings, including rugs, silver & ceramics.

• Style: Ottoman
• Built: c. 1635
• Address: Biščevića bb, Mostar 88000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Bosnian National Monument Muslibegovic House is an Ottoman-style residential building converted into a hotel.

• Style: Ottoman
• Built: after 1750
• Address: Osmana Džikića 41, Mostar 88000, Bosnia & Herzegovina

We stayed here the first time we visited Mostar and highly recommend it to anyone interested in a unique experience.

Saborna Crkva Svete Trojice

• Architect: Construction began in 1863 under builder Spasoje Vulić. The project was completed by renowned architect and builder Andrey (Andreja) Damyanov.
• Style: A blend of Serbo-Byzantine Revival and Orthodox basilica tradition, incorporating Byzantine elements (domes atop glazed drums), Baroque-influenced bell tower, and Gothic-Oriental motifs (sharp domes, narrow window openings)
• Built: Constructed between 1863 and 1873, the cathedral was the seat of the Eparchy of Zahumlje and Herzegovina until its destruction in 1992. Reconstruction began in the early 2010s and continues
• Address: Located in the Bjelušine neighborhood in central Mostar, serving as the primary Serbian Orthodox cathedral in the city

Once one of the largest Orthodox churches in the Balkans, the cathedral is architecturally significant for its monumental scale and stylistic synthesis. Its dome-rich basilica floor plan, Baroque-style bell tower, and rich interior—including a grand iconostasis and gilt decoration—symbolized the cultural prominence of the Orthodox community in Mostar. The wartime destruction in 1992 was followed by significant reconstruction efforts starting around 2010, including the gate and churchyard gate by Momir Korunović in the 1930s.

Sehitluci, Şehidsko Mezarlje

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Minimalist cemetery design reflecting solemn commemoration, characterized by uniform white marble tombstones arranged closely, without ornamental or architectural embellishment—focusing solely on mourning and remembrance.
• Built: Established after the war in the 1990s to honor victims of the conflict. Exact date of construction or formal dedication remains unspecified in available sources.
• Address: Located in the centre of Mostar, within the Brankovac neighborhood. It’s a small urban cemetery accessible amid the city’s streets.

This somber and compact cemetery holds over a hundred white marble graves, each bearing the name of a Muslim individual killed during the Bosnian war of the 1990s. It serves as a local, informal memorial focused on remembrance rather than architectural statement.

The cafes and galleries in the bazaar are a must-visit during any trip to Mostar!

According to one local, the abandoned buildings have not been rebuilt due to ownership disputes. The mortgages were held by state-owned banks, which no longer existed following the collapse of Yugoslavia.

Mostar’s architecture reflects a rich tapestry woven through historical phases. From Ottoman influences to Moorish revival styles, each era leaves its mark. The city’s architectural evolution mirrors its complex past, blending designs from the Ottoman Empire and Moorish revival with European Art Nouveau influences. Witness the fusion of diverse cultural values in the historic city center, a testament to Mostar’s enduring heritage amidst changing tides. Discover how Mostar’s architecture narrates the city’s compelling story of resilience and adaptation through centuries.

The cultural impact on Mostar’s architecture is profound, reflecting a rich tapestry of influences. From Moorish Revival to Ottoman design strategies, Mostar’s buildings narrate the city’s history. Religious tolerance is exemplified through mosques like Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, symbolizing unity amongst various religious communities. The city’s diverse heritage, shaped by the Ottoman Empire and later the Yugoslav People’s Army, is evident in its architecture. This blend of cultural values and design styles has created a unique architectural landscape in Mostar.

In the city of Mostar, the war left scars not only on its buildings but also on the community. After the conflict, the restoration of iconic structures like the Old Bridge became symbolic of healing divisions. Through architectural revival and preservation efforts, Mostar rekindled its cultural values and heritage. The reconstruction process not only revitalized the historic city center but also fostered a sense of unity among the diverse religious communities residing on both sides of the Neretva River.

Want to learn about the Old City of Mostar’s history during your visit? Book a highly-rated city tour!