Mostar
Encyclopedia : M : MO : MOS : Mostar
| Mostar | |
|---|---|
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| General Information | |
| Homepage: | [Official Mostar Website] |
| Coat of Arms | |
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| Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
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| Politics | |
| Canton | Herzegovina-Neretva Canton |
| Mayor | Ljubo Bešlić |
| Population | |
| Population: | 105,448 (2004) |
| Population Density: | 95.86/km² |
| Geography | |
| Area: | 1,100 km² |
| Location: | |
Mostar is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. The unofficial capital of Herzegovina, Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country.
Mostar was named after its Old Bridge (Stari most) and the towers on its sides, "the bridge keepers" (natively: mostari).
Demographics
In 1991 the municipality of Mostar had a population of 126,066. The ethnic distribution was; Bosniak (34.65%), Croat (33.83%), Serb (18.97%), Yugoslav (10.03%) and 2.32% others. Mostar itself had 75,865 inhabitants. In 2003 the population was 105,448. Ethnic distribution was; Bosniaks (47.43%), Croat (48.29%), Serb (3.45%) and .83% others. #redirect [[Template:Fact]] As of 2006, Croats form a majority in the city of Mostar.[[Citing sources citation needed]]The city has had a carefully elaborated policy of national equality ever since the end of the war. The Croat and Bosniak ethnic communities each claim one side of the river and even support for the local football clubs, Zrinjski and Velež, is divided along ethnic lines. One Bosnian politician called Mostar "divided by a wall between Croats and Bosniaks" in an interview to RTV Slovenia. The number of Serbs remaining in the city following ethnic cleansing furing the Bosnian War is negligible.
History
Early history
Founded in the late 15th century, Mostar was the chief administrative city for the Ottoman Empire in the Herzegovina region. The Austro-Hungarian Empire absorbed Mostar in 1878 and then it became part of Yugoslavia in the aftermath of World War I. Since 1881 Mostar has been the seat of the Bishopric of Mostar-Duvno. The city`s symbol, The Old Bridge (Stari Most) is one of the most important constructions of Ottoman Era and built by the student of the famous Ottoman Architect Mimar Sinan ( Architect Sinan), Mimar Hayrettin.
Yugoslav Period
After World War II, Mostar developed a production of tobacco, bauxite, wine and aluminium products. Several dams ("Grabovica", "Salakovac", "Mostar") were built in the region to harness the hydroelectric power of the Neretva. The city was a major industrial and tourist center and prospered during the time of SFRY.Bosnian war
1992 JNA Siege
Between 1992 and 1993, after Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia, the town was subject to a 18 month siege. The Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) first bombed Mostar on April 3rd, 1992 and over the following week gradually established control over a large part of the town. On April 8th, the army of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Armija Bosne i Hercegovine, ABIH) was joined by the Herzegovina Croats founded, the Croatian Defense Council (Hrvatsko Vijeće Obrane, HVO) as their military formation. These two engaged against the JNA forces in combat. The JNA shelling damaged or destroyed a number of civilian objects and resulted in a mass killing of thousands of innocent civilians. Amongst destroyed monuments were a Franciscan monastery, the Catholic cathedral and the bishop's palace, with a library of 50,000 books, as well as the Karadžoz-bey mosque, Roznamed-ij-Ibrahim-efendija mosque and twelve other mosques, as well as secular institutions. On June 12th, the ABIH (4th Corps) and HVO military forces amassed enough weaponry and manpower to force the JNA troops out of Mostar. During the siege that ensued, the city was bombarded by the Bosnian Serbs from the mountains to the east.After the Serbs were driven out, the heavily armed, Croatia funded Bosnian-Croat forces (HVO) turned their guns at their once allies, the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in hope of capturing the whole city for themselves in the light of Bosnian-Croat Secessionist campaign. The campaign resulted in the deeply rooted division of the city of Mostar into West Mostar (run by HVO) and the East Mostar (run by the Bosnian Government). HVO forces (and its smaller divisions) engaged in a mass execution, ethnic cleansing and rape on the Bosniak people of the West Mostar and its surrounds and a fierce siege and shelling campaign on the Bosnian Government run East Mostar. HVO campaign resulted in thousands of injured and killed and this city's Old Town reduction to Rubble. HVO forces, as part of their campaign, destroyed the city's most recognisable symbol, the 1566 Old Bridge.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R37yzlvM1jo&search=mostar Today, the city is slowly recovering from divisions created by the conflict. Some of the scars of that division still remain today.
Reconstruction
Since the end of the wider war in 1995, great progress is being made in the reconstruction of the city of Mostar. The city was under direct monitoring from a European Union envoy, several elections were held and each nation was accommodated with regard to political control over the city. Over 15 million dollars has been spent on restoration.
A monumental project to rebuild the Old Bridge to the original design, and restore surrounding structures was initiated in 1999 and mostly completed by Spring 2004. The money for this reconstruction was donated by the United States, Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands, and Croatia. A grand opening was held on July 23, 2004 under heavy security.
In July 2005, UNESCO finally inscribed the Old Bridge and its closest vicinity on the World Heritage List. Previously, the inscription had been repeatedly deferred on account of poor quality of post-war reconstructions and deplorable use of modern materials in the old town.
Economy
Mostar is home to several of the nation's largest companies including the mail delivery firm Hrvatska pošta Mostar, aluminum manufacturer Aluminij and aircraft manufacturer Soko.City government
The City of Mostar has the status of a municipality. The city government is led by the Mayor. The current Mayor of Mostar is Ljubo Bešlić (HDZ).
The City Council is composed of 35 representatives, coming from the following political parties:
- Croatian Coalition 13
- *Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ}
- *United Croatian Party of Rights (UHSP)
- *Croatian Party of Rights (HSP)
- *Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HKDU)
- *Croatian People's Union (HNZ)
- Party of Democratic Action (SDA) 10
- Social Democratic Party (SDP) 4
- Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina 4
- Narodna stranka Radom za boljitak 1
- Croatian Coalition 1
- *Croatian Party of Rights (HSP)
- *Croatian Pure Party of Rights (HČSP)
- Independent 2
Education and Culture
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-->There is a project underway to create in the Mostar Gymnasium a United World College, starting September 2006.
The city hosts a yearly music festival entitled Melodije Mostara which is considered one of the country's best, as well as one of the best festivals of Croatian music.
Mostar is home to many places of religious worship. It is the seat of the Bishopric of Mostar-Duvno and its Cathedral of Mary Mother of the Church. The Franciscan Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is also based in the city. Mostar also contains several mosques, the most famous of which is the Karađozbeg mosque. A synagogue was also recently built in the city.
- University of Mostar
- Džemal Bijedić University
- Pavarotti Music Center
- Gymnasium Mostar
- "Gradska" Library (Rondo)
- "Dječja i Narodna" Library (Carina)
- Cultural Center Mostar (ul. Rade Bitange)
- "Hrvatski dom herceg-Stjepana Kosače" cultural Center (Rondo)
- Gallery "Aluminij" (near by hospital by building Uglovnica)
- City Park "Zrinjski"
- Narodno Pozorište (National theatre)
Tourism
Mostar is an important tourist centre in the country. Mostar International Airport serves the city. Mostar's old city is an important tourist destination with the Stari most being its most recognizable feature. The "Rondo shopping centre",and the "Mercator shopping mall" are some of the city's newer attractions. The Catholic pilgrimage site of Međugorje is also nearby.Recreation and sports
The most popular sport in Mostar is football. The two most successful teams are NK Zrinjski Mostar and Velež Mostar. As of 2006 both teams compete in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since the Bosnian War each club has generally been supported by a particular ethnic group (Zrinjski for the Croats and Velež for the Bosniaks). The matches between the two clubs are sone of the country's most intense matches.Bijeli Brijeg Stadium and Vrapčići are the city's two main football grounds.
In basketball HKK Zrinjski Mostar competes at the nation's highest level while the Zrinjski banner also represents the city in the top handball league.
See also
External links
Photographs
- [Europe on the Matrix: Mostar] — Photographs and information
- [Visit Mostar] — Ultimate tourist guide to Mostar, city of UNESCO
| Municipalities of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton |
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| Čapljina | Čitluk | Jablanica | Konjic | Mostar | Neum | Rama | Ravno | Stolac | |
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