Diver Leaping From Stari Most (Old Bridge), Mostar
Bosnia and Herzegovina is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, music, architecture and festivals. It is a fascinating country to discover and a paradise for photographers. The country is home to 3 ethnic groups: Muslim Bosniaks which are the largest, Christian Orthodox Serbs second and Catholic Croats third. Wounds of the 1992-1995 Bosnian War remain visible in many places and peaceful multicultural cohabitation is still at risk. Mostar is the fifth-largest city in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The Old Bridge (Stari Most) was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century over the Neretva River. It is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's most recognizable landmarks, and is considered one of the most exemplary pieces of Islamic architecture in the Balkans. Stari Most stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed on 9 November 1993 by Croat forces during the Croat–Bosniak War. Subsequently, a project was set in motion to reconstruct it, and the rebuilt bridge opened on 23 July 2004. It is traditional for the young men of the town to leap from the bridge into the river. As the Neretva is very cold, this is a very risky feat and only the most skilled and best trained divers will attempt it. The practice dates back to the time the bridge was built, but the first recorded instance of someone diving off the bridge is from 1664.
Size: 7360px × 4912px
Location: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Balkans, Europe
Photo credit: © François-Olivier Dommergues / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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