Information
Landmark: Crooked BridgeCity: Mostar
Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Continent: Europe
Crooked Bridge, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe
Overview
The Crooked Bridge (Kriva Ćuprija) is a quaint, centuries-old stone arch in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, often seen as a smaller echo of the famed Old Bridge (Stari Most).It sits on the Radobolja River, a clear tributary of the Neretva, tucked quietly into a serene corner of Mostar’s Old Town.Visitors love the bridge for its graceful Ottoman-era design, and it’s a peaceful escape from the chatter and clinking glasses near the Old Bridge.Built in 1558, the Crooked Bridge came before the Old Bridge and likely served as a sort of trial run for it, its worn stones still showing the marks of early tools.The Ottomans commissioned it, crafting the bridge in a similar style to highlight their advanced stone-building skills.Called Kriva Ćuprija-“Crooked Bridge”-its name comes from the slight tilt of its arch and the steep curve that catches the light at sunset.The Crooked Bridge, a single graceful arch of local limestone, stretches over the narrow Radobolja River, its pale stones catching the afternoon light.Smaller and more intimate than the famed Old Bridge, it measures just 8.56 meters long and 4 meters high.Cobblestone paths and Ottoman-style buildings frame it, while the river murmurs below.Though floodwaters nearly destroyed it in 2000, careful UNESCO-backed reconstruction preserved its original form and materials.Today, it stands as both a relic and a quiet symbol of resilience, mirroring the story of the larger Old Bridge after the war.Less crowded and steeped in history, it offers visitors a gentle space where nature and the past meet in harmony.The Crooked Bridge sits just a short walk from the Old Bridge, right by Caffe Bar Kriva Ćuprija, where you can sip something cold while gazing at the stone arch.Photographers love its picture-perfect setting, especially in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon.You can linger at a riverside café, wander the cobbled streets, and explore Mostar’s Old Town.Built in the 16th century, it’s a graceful example of Ottoman craftsmanship and a quiet prelude to the famous Stari Most-modest in scale, rich in history, and wrapped in a calm, old-world charm.If you love history, admire striking architecture, or just want to wander the quieter streets where Mostar’s past lingers in the worn stone, you won’t want to miss this.
