Urbicide and the destruction of “bridge-ness” in Mostar

The destruction of the Mostar Bridge, a UNESCO-listed Ottoman architectural masterpiece and symbol of Bosnian cultural heritage, exemplifies 'urbicide'—the deliberate targeting of monumental structures to erase historical identity. The bridge's significance extended beyond its functional role in trade; it embodied Ottoman colonial influence, religious pluralism, and Bosnian-Islamic urban fabric. As a global tourist icon, its demolition disrupted not only physical infrastructure but also the cultural narrative of Mostar. The study analyzes this destruction through the lens of conservationist Amir Pašić's observations, highlighting how monumental architecture serves as both a tool for colonial control and a marker of cultural resilience.

(Ed.). (2017). Urbicide and the destruction of “bridge-ness” in Mostar. The Political Afterlife of Sites of Monumental Destruction, 23–51. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315665962-2