Stari Most, or the Old Bridge, was a remarkable 16th-century Ottoman bridge that spanned the Neretva River in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This architectural marvel, completed in 1566, was renowned for its perfect stone arch and had become a cultural icon representing the historical and religious coexistence in the region. During the Croat–Bosniak War in the early 1990s, Mostar was a focal point of conflict due to its mixed ethnic population and strategic importance.

In November 1993, after several days of intense shelling and bombardment by Croat forces aimed at Bosniak positions, the Stari Most succumbed to the onslaught. The collapse was a significant moment, witnessed by locals and journalists alike, and was emblematic of the wider destruction of cultural heritage that occurred throughout the region during the war. The bridge's loss served to highlight the deepening ethnic divisions and the impact of war on the cultural landscapes of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The aftermath of the collapse led to outrage and international attention towards the ongoing conflict. Soon after hostilities ceased, efforts began to reconstruct the bridge as a gesture of reconciliation and a testament to the community’s resilience. The reconstruction of Stari Most was completed in 2004 and has since become a symbol of peace and unity for the people of Mostar and beyond.