Information
Landmark: Bridge on Drina RiverCity: Bijeljina
Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Continent: Europe
Bridge on Drina River, Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe
Overview
The Bridge on the Drina, also known as the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, stands as a centuries-old architectural marvel in Višegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina, its pale stone arches reflected in the river below.Stretching across the Drina River, this Ottoman-era marvel holds a rich past, a lasting cultural legacy, and a place in literary history through Ivo Andrić’s Nobel Prize–winning novel *The Bridge on the Drina*, where its pale stones gleam in the sun.Commissioned by Mehmed Paša Sokolović, the powerful Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, the bridge was built between 1571 and 1577 by master architect Mimar Sinan to link Bosnia with the rest of the Balkans and strengthen trade and communication.Over the centuries, it has stood through wars, uprisings, and sweeping cultural shifts.Eleven graceful stone arches stretch across the Drina, the largest spanning about 15 meters, their white limestone glowing in the sun along the bridge’s 179.5-meter length.At its midpoint, a small terrace, or kapija, offered weary travelers a place to rest and still draws people to pause.Sinan’s engineering ensured it could withstand floods, a lasting tribute to Ottoman skill.Immortalized in Ivo Andrić’s Nobel Prize–winning novel *The Bridge on the Drina*, the structure became known worldwide as a witness to both unity and division in the region’s history.Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, it remains a striking vantage point over the river’s green waters and a stage for festivals, exhibitions, and local gatherings.Restoration and preservation efforts keep it strong and authentic for future generations.You’ll find it in Višegrad, an easy trip from Sarajevo, best visited in spring or summer when the surrounding hills shimmer with greenery-and you can walk its length for free.Whether you come for its literary legacy, its graceful arches, or the echo of history in its worn stone, the bridge offers an experience you won’t forget.
