Reconciliation

Sam again. The city of Mostar is named after its premier landmark, the Stari Most, or Old Bridge. This breathtaking structure was originally built under the auspices of Suliman the Magnificent in the mid 16th century. It survived both World Wars, but during the civil war, some prick thought it would be a good idea to blow it up. 64 tank shells later and it was a pile of rubble and dust floating down the Nereteva River. In 2003, 10 years after its destruction, reconstruction commenced using stone cut from the original quarry and traditional 16th century building techniques. The result is an exact replica of the first bridge, which now carries additional weight as a national symbol of reconciliation. The bridge itself is as astounding as its story is uplifting.