Carries Pedestrians Other name(s) Konjička Stara Ćuprija Opened 1683 Location Konjic Body of water Neretva | Crosses Neretva Design Multiple-Arch Width 4 m Bridge type Arch bridge Rebuilt 2009 | |
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Locale Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina Heritage status National Monument of BiH Similar Neretva, Zavičajni muzej, Stari Most, Franjo Tuđman Bridge, Vrelo Bune | ||
Ilija i marko begi mala moja ko stara uprija wmv
Stara Ćuprija (Stara Ćuprija = English: Old Bridge) is old bridge in Konjic, and is one in series of Ottoman bridges in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Contents
History
It was built between 1682 and 1683 by Ali-aga Hasečić (as shown by a stone plaque at the center of the bridge).
Construction, destruction and reconstruction
Bridge was built over six slightly pointed stone arches. The deck was completely destroyed with explosives, laid by the retreating German army in March 1945, while the arches suffered partial damage from explosion. Fortunately, all of the five piers remained and structural integrity was preserved. This allowed hope in future reconstruction to be much easier and reconstructed bridge wouldn't lose its authenticity. Since World War II officials decided to use bridge temporarily with makeshift deck made of iron beams laid down upon still existing piers and one track tarmac for motorized vehicle traffic. However, this solution lasted for more than five decades.
Only after the war of the nineties it was announced that bridge will be renovated, and between 2003 and 2009 it was reconstructed to its original state. Today it stands as one of the best preserved Ottoman bridges in Bosnia and Herzegovina and entire Balkans.
National Monument
The bridge is recently declared a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.