Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Vladovi
ć
and enjoy his impressive iconographic work (daily 9:00-20:00). This is the most
touristy street in all of Bosnia-Herzegovina, so don't expect any bargains. Still, it's fun. As
you stroll, check out the fine views of the Old Bridge.
• Continue uphill. After the street levels out, about halfway along the street on the left-hand
side, look for the entrance to the...
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Koski Mehmet-Pasha Mosque (Koski Mehmet-Paša Džamija)
Mostar's Bosniak community includes many practicing Muslims. Step into this courtyard
for a look at one of Mostar's many mosques. This mosque, dating from the early 17th cen-
tury, is notable for its cliff-hanging riverside location, and because it's particularly access-
ible for tourists. But Mostar's other mosques share many of its characteristics—much of the
following information applies to them as well.
Cost and Hours:
4 KM to enter mosque, 4 KM more to climb minaret, daily April-Oct
9:00-18:00,until19:00atbusytimes,Nov-March9:00-15:00;ifitseemscrowdedwithtour
groups, you can enter a very similar mosque later on this walk instead.
Visiting the Mosque:
The
fountain
(šadrvan)
in the courtyard allows worshippers to
wash before entering the mosque, as directed by Islamic law. This practice, called ablution,
is both a literal and a spiritual cleansing in preparation for being in the presence of Allah.
It's also refreshing in this hot climate, and the sound of running water helps worshippers
concentrate.
The
minaret
—the slender needle jutting up next to the dome—is the Islamic equivalent
oftheChristianbelltower,usedtocallpeopletoprayer.Intheolddays,the
muezzin
(prayer
leader) would climb the tower five times a day and chant, “There is only one God, and
Muhammad is his prophet.” In modern times, loudspeakers are used instead. Climbing the
minaret's 89 claustrophobic, spiral stairs is a memorable experience, rewarding you at the
top with the best views over Mostar—and the Old Bridge—that you can get without wings
(entrance to the right of mosque entry).
Because this mosque is accustomed to tourists, you don't need to take off your shoes to
enter (but stay on the green carpet), women don't need to wear scarves, and it's fine to take
photos inside. Near the front of the mosque, you may see some of the small, overlapping
rugs that are below this covering (reserved for shoes-off worshippers).
