Sights in Mostar - Croatia and Slovenia - page 656

Inside the Halebija Tower at the near end of the bridge, up the stairs (above the Divers
Club), the War Photo Exhibition displays 50 somber, poignant wartime images taken by
photojournalist Wade Goddard. While small, the collection of black-and-white images puts
a human face on the suffering by focusing not on the conflict itself, but on the everyday
peoplewhoseliveswererippedapartbythewar(6KM,dailymid-July-mid-Oct9:00-21:00;
April-mid-July and mid-Oct-Nov 11:00-18:00, closed Dec-March, mobile [phone]).
• If you'd like to see one of the best views in town—looking up at the Old Bridge from the
riverbank below—backtrack the way you came into the shopping zone, take your first left
(at the Šadrvan restaurant—a good place to try the powerful “Bosnian coffee”), then find
the steps down to the river on the left.
When you're ready to continue, hike back up to the Old Bridge and cross to the other
side. After the bridge on the right are two different exhibits worth a quick visit.
Gallery on the Bridge
This excellent bookstore—operated by the local Islamic cultural center—has a good, free
photo exhibition of powerful images of war-torn Mostar, displayed inside a former mosque
for soldiers who guarded the bridge. They play a montage of videos and photos of the
bridge—before, during, and after the war—that's nearly as good as the similar film shown
at the Museum of Herzegovina (described later). The shop also sells an impressively wide
range of books about the former Yugoslavia and its troubled breakup.
Cost and Hours: Free, daily 7:00-24:00.
• Just beyond the bookstore, tucked into the corner on the right, look for the stairs leading
up to the...
Museum of the Old Bridge (Muzej Stari Most)
Located within one of the Old Bridge's towers, this museum features a film and photos
aboutthereconstructionofthebridge,archaeologicalfindings,andafewotherpaltryexhib-
its about the history of the town and bridge, all in English. First climb up the stairs just after
the bridge and buy your ticket, before hiking the rest of the way up to the top of the tower,
where you can enjoy fine views through grubby windows. Then go around below to the ar-
chaeological exhibit. The museum offers more detail than most casual visitors need; con-
siderjustdroppingintothesmaller,freephotoexhibitiondescribedpreviously,thenmoving
along.
Cost and Hours: 5 KM, daily April-Aug 8:00-18:00, Feb-March and Sept-Nov
8:00-16:00, closed Dec-Jan, lots of stairs, Bajatova 4, tel. [phone].
• After the Old Bridge, the street swings left and leads you along...