Kulturarv utan Gränser
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Projects in Mostar
Three projects have been implemented in the town of Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The main street on both sides of the old bridge over the river Neretva in Mostar is lined with low bazaar buildings used as workshops and stalls. The shops with their characteristic slate roofs open out onto the street and are an important feature in this old part of the town.
A considerable number of these traditional shops was destroyed during the war of 1992-1995.
Two bazaar buildings which connected with the old bridge have been restored under the auspices of Cultural Heritage without Borders. From the beginning all that remained were the stone walls from the 16th century but with the help of drawings from the 1960’s and photographs the parts that had been demolished were reconstructed. The original masonry is from the 16th century, most likely contemporaneous with the bridge. The traditional stone roofs consist of large slates laid out like roof tiles and facing the street the buildings can be closed off by a simple glass partition behind the traditional timber shutters. Glass partitions were added when the buildings were modernised during the 1960's. Restoration of these buildings has meant that an important part of the historical town centre could be re-created and that several artisans and tradesmen could be offered premises in a good position.
Many of the bazaars along the main street in Mostar, with origin in the 16th century, were destroyed during the war. Photo Cultural Heritage without Borders, September 2000.
The restored bazaar buildings have anew become an important part of the life of the city of Mostar. Photo Cultural heritage without Borders, August 2002.
The third project has concerned the building that earlier housed the local heritage institute but which since the end of the war has been used by the city museum in Mostar. It is planned that in the future it will be home to the regional heritage institute in Mostar and that as such will become the legal authority to assume responsibility for the old part of Mostar that has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
In March 2001 an agreement was signed with the building contractors Niemeri in Mostar. The collapsed walls have now been rebuilt with genuine and natural materials, the traditional stone roofs, so typical for the area, have been relaid using the old, traditional techniques and the wooden shutters have been re-created but with glass partitions behind them for practical reasons. Small utility rooms, invisible from the street, have been built for use as toilets, for instance, and electricity and water have been installed to increase serviceability. Stone floors have been laid, as they were before. In time for the tourist season in June 2001, the town council could let out the three fully restored bazaar buildings to various tenants which has led to reviving the atmosphere along this pedestrian street.
With the unification of Mostar during the spring of 2004, the institute’s authority has been considerably strengthened and now includes the whole of Mostar. It has an advisory role for the town council’s planning department on matters concerning planning and building permission. This means, amongst other things, that the institute determines the guidelines to be followed whereever there is rebuilding of any of the town’s historic buildings.
As a consequence of this increased responsibility, the institute would like to develop its capacity, concerning both monitoring restoration already implemented and continuous maintenance. There is a great need for young architects with knowledge and practical experience of restorations which have been conducted in accordance with international principles. The institute is fully aware of the need for continuous maintenance of buildings and of the investments Sweden has made. It is also very interested in drawing up conservation plans and making them part of the normal routine procedures.
Name Kujundziluk Caršija
Type of building Bazaar buildings
Construction date Original parts from the 16th century
Geographical location Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Joint partners The Heritage Institute in Mostar
Local architect in charge Omer Šahic, Heritage Institute in Mostar
Project manager Tina Wik, Cultural Heritage without Borders
Funding Sida and the private donor Hugh L. McColl
