Sheva's signature tour introduces the history, culture, and identity of Mostar. Combining the UNESCO-listed Old Town with the city's more recent past, it traces Mostar's story from the medieval and Ottoman periods to present-day social and political life.
Sheva's Original Free Walking Tour offers a comprehensive introduction to Mostar, combining the historic Old Town with the city's more recent past. Together, these two perspectives reveal how medieval trade routes, the Ottoman Empire, Austro-Hungarian modernization, socialist Yugoslavia, the 1990s conflict, and post-war reconstruction have all contributed to the Mostar of today.
Our journey begins among the cobbled streets of the Old Town, where we will explore the essential sites of the UNESCO designated Old Bridge and Old Town area, including Kujundžiluk, Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, Kriva Ćuprija, and the banks of the Neretva River. Along the way, you'll discover the traditions that continue to define daily life, from coppersmithing and bridge diving to Bosnian coffee culture and the customs that have been passed from one generation to the next.
From there, the tour expands beyond the UNESCO zone to examine Mostar's transformation through the Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav periods before introducing the city's more recent history. Rather than focusing solely on the conflict of the 1990s, we place these events within the broader historical context, exploring how they continue to influence the city's architecture, communities, and everyday life.
Whether Mostar is your first stop in Bosnia and Herzegovina or the highlight of a longer journey, this tour provides the historical context and local perspective needed to appreciate the city beyond its famous landmarks. By the end of the walk, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of Mostar's history, culture, and identity—and the many layers that make it one of the Balkans' most remarkable cities.
