War Photo Exhibition | Mostar

Information

Landmark: War Photo Exhibition
City: Mostar
Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Continent: Europe

War Photo Exhibition, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe

The War Photo Video Exhibition is a documentary gallery located in the western tower (Halebija Tower) of the Stari Most (Old Bridge) in Mostar. It serves as a visual record of the city's destruction and the daily life of its citizens during the 1992–1995 conflict.

Visual Characteristics

The exhibition is housed within the rugged, thick-walled interior of a medieval stone tower. The space is vertical and narrow, with displays arranged along the inner walls of the fortification. The visual content is dominated by large-format, high-contrast photography and video loops showing the exact moment of the bridge's collapse and the subsequent ruins.

Location & Access Logistics

The gallery is situated at the western end of the Stari Most arch. It is located in a strictly pedestrian zone within the Old Town. Access requires ascending a set of steep stone stairs inside the Halebija Tower. The nearest vehicle access and parking are located approximately 400 meters away at the perimeter of the historical district (e.g., Gojka Vukovića street).

Historical & Ecological Origin

The exhibition was established to provide historical context to the reconstructed bridge, utilizing footage and photographs captured primarily by New Zealand photojournalist Wade Goddard. The tower itself dates back to the Ottoman period and originally served as a defensive structure for the bridge-keepers (mostari).

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can view a permanent collection of photographs detailing the frontline combat in the city center and the civilian struggle for water and food. A central feature is the continuous screening of video footage documenting the 1993 shelling of the Stari Most. The upper level of the exhibition provides close-up views of the bridge's stone masonry through defensive slits.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no restroom facilities or climate control within the tower; the interior remains naturally cool due to the stone thickness. Space is limited, making it unsuitable for large groups or strollers. 4G/5G cellular signal is available but may be weakened by the heavy stone walls. Numerous cafes and shops are located immediately outside the tower entrance.

Best Time to Visit

The exhibition is generally open daily from 09:00 to 21:00 during the summer season (April–October). Morning visits are recommended to avoid the congestion that occurs when tourist groups arrive at the bridge. The indoor nature of the gallery makes it a suitable activity during the intense afternoon heat of Mostar summers.

Facts & Legends

The footage shown in the gallery was instrumental in the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for establishing the timeline of the bridge's destruction. The exhibition is often confused with "Gallery 11/07/95" in Sarajevo, but specifically focuses on the localized urban warfare within Mostar's street-by-street conflict.