The Old Bridge Konjic
Description
The Old Bridge in Konjic is one of the most beautiful stone bridges of the Ottoman period in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a symbol of this town on the Neretva. It was built in 1682 as an endowment of Ali-aga Hasečić, and in beauty it stands alongside the Old Bridge in Mostar, the Arslanagić Bridge in Trebinje and the Mehmed-paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad.
It is about 102 metres long and rests on six gently pointed arches, with lower parts of white limestone and upper ones of carved tufa. Many see it as the point where Bosnia meets Herzegovina. German forces destroyed it as they withdrew on 3 March 1945, and it was faithfully rebuilt between 2006 and 2009 with help from Turkey and the Federation of BiH, reopening in 2009. Today, alongside the revitalised old bazaar, it adorns the old town core of Konjic – a fine example of Ottoman building craft.
National monument of BiH (since 2003)
In 2003, the Old Bridge in Konjic was added to the list of national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, officially recognising its exceptional cultural and historical value.
An endowment of Ali-aga Hasečić from 1682.
The Old Bridge in Konjic was built in 1682 as an endowment (vakuf) of Ali-aga Hasečić, a respected benefactor whose generosity raised this stone masterpiece of Ottoman building over the Neretva.
