Mostar is a city in Southern Bosnia and Herzegovina; a city ravaged by war but is home to some of the most spectacular sites, nature and landscapes. Famous for it’s arch bridge, Stari Most, and Sniper Tower. Mostar is definitely one of my favourite cities in Europe and would I would recommend anyone to take their time visit this beautiful country.

About Mostar

Mostar is a city in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina, famous for its incredible landmarks like the Stari Most bridge which straddles the Neretva River and cuts through the city. The city is built up on small alley ways which lead to small pubs, restaurants or amazing little shops. This Bosnian city is rich in culture, history and the locals do not disappoint; welcoming tourists with open arms.

I spent 3 days in Mostar and I could have easily stayed on longer. It’s one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited. Lined with cobblestone streets, alleyways, and a river that intertwines through streets. But the people are welcoming, accommodating, and a huge community spirit is felt. For a city still showing the fallout from a very recent war, I have never felt safer and more at home.

Is Mostar Worth Visiting?

Absolutely Mostar is worth visiting! Mostar was one of my favourite cities during my 4 month tour in Europe. I stayed a short distance from the main centre near the Stari Most Mostar bridge, this is where you will find a lot of restaurants and more English speaking locals than if you were to head further out of town.

Mostar is surrounded by incredible landscapes, waterfalls and small towns hidden within hills and mountains on the outskirts of Mostar. The locals are warm and welcoming given the bloodied war that tore though the country 30 years ago.

The scars of the Bosnian war are still very visible across many buildings lining the city; bullet holes scatter buildings near windows and close to footpaths. With other buildings like the sniper tower standing derelict and abandoned since the terror filled war came to an end in 1995.

What is the Sniper Tower in Mostar?

Sitting on the apex of two intersecting streets just north of old town, towering above most other buildings around; stands a multi-story complex once occupied as central service for all citizens of Mostar. This former bank was later claimed during the Croat-Bosniak war by snipers as a vantage point to gun down any unsuspecting residents nearby, causing unimaginable pain and suffering to anyone within view. Now a derelict building; it’s filled with colourful displays of art and graffiti and a grim insight to the fear which radiated through the city 28 years ago. Standing 10 stories high it gives incredible panoramic views over the city.

The graffiti are displayed throughout the Sniper building also makes appearances within the city, amazing works of art have began popping up around Mostar with Medianeras bringing street art to life in the war torn streets.

History of the Mostar Sniper Tower

Between 18 October 1992 and 23 February 1994 Bosnia and Croatia were at war with each other, all while being in alliance in another war taking place at the same time. The multi story concrete building which was once occupied by a local bank, was subsequently commandeered by Croats and Serbs to take aim at any Bosniaks in sight. The building still riddled with bullet holes now stands as a concrete skeleton and a stark reminder of the grisly history of Mostar.

The Sniper Tower sits on the corner of Kralja Zvonimira and Kneza Domagoja, it is mostly boarded up and access has to be made by climbing over a large wall into the ground floor.

Once inside you can understand the grizzly reason why this building was chosen at all. It stands as one of the tallest in the area and has a wide, almost 360 degree scope of the surrounding streets. Apartment buildings with lounge doors or kitchen windows are clearly visible with a clear line of sight from a covered position within the building. Each floor allows for an eagle eyes view down to neighborhood streets where neighbours would greet each other or children would play.

Getting Inside Mostars’ Sniper Tower

The sniper tower is surrounded by 12ft high concrete walls, scattered with bullet holes the main entrance is sealed by bricks. Access is not advisable due to safety risks of broken glass, lack of stairwell railings and empty elevator shafts. But any eager explorer can easily find a way inside if they don’t mind getting their hands a little dirty. The inside walls are decorated with works of spray art, some humorous and others creepy. The floor is garnished with litter, broken glass and some evidence that a bank once flourished.

Each floor is accessible by a large set of concrete stairs and the roof via a metal ladder. From the roof you can get a birds eye view of the city below and beyond. This site is a common hang out spot for young locals, so don’t shit yourself if you come across ‘youths’ among the abandoned wreck.
Looking out from each floor it’s easy to see why this building was chosen to gun down any unsuspecting locals; having clear aim into hundreds of open apartment windows, down sidewalks and across the river. Anyone in site of this building would have very easily been gunned down with few places to seek refuge.

Unfortunately the Sniper Tower isn’t the only building still scared by the recent war. It doesn’t take long for your eyes to take notice of bullet holes lining main streets, bordering windows and sidewalks. The damage left from the war says nothing about the people of Mostar, the locals are friendly, welcoming and easy to talk to. I felt most at ease and probably the safest here out of all the places I visited. To say I’m itching to go back for another visit is an understatement.

Other Things to do in Mostar

Visit the Dervish House

The Dervish House is an Ottoman style monastery at the base of a cliff in Blagaj. The Dervish house sits above the bright blue flowing water of the Buna River. The Dervish House is open to the public but you must respect their clothing rules; women must be covered head to toe with no skin showing. There are robes and scarves you can borrow for your time inside the monastery so you don’t have to pack a separate outfit for the day.

Related: Travelling Eastern Europe? Check out Sail Croatia for a week of sailing!