Time Revealed As a Bridge Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Mostar Bridge was a very famous and historical bridge before its destruction in 1993 during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The elegant bridge spanned the River Neretva and was designed by the Ottoman (Turkish) architect Mimar Hayruddin. It was completed in 1566 after nines years of building and the surrounding town became a thriving trading centre. The bridge was 29 metres in length and stood at a height of 20 metres, a classic example of a single span, stone arch bridge and was an example of advanced technology in its time. It became a World Heritage site during the twentieth century..

The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire swore to execute Mimar Hayruddin if the bridge collapsed after the wooden supports were removed. It is said that Hayruddin started to dig his own grave on the day the supports were removed. However, the bridge stood for 429 years, a testament to its excellent design and construction.

goodwill, pboehringer, pticaruh has marked this note useful

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g1210 (415) 2006-09-14 14:37

Hi Deniz,
I preferred the bridge in it's original form - I was lucky enough to see it about 6 months before it was destroyed. At least they put in the effort to restore most of it's grandeur.
Great foto, sharp and well composed.
Regards,
Neil....

akb (210) 2006-09-14 14:40 [Comment]

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goodwill (4033) 2006-09-14 14:53

Hi Deniz,
This is a great shot, a shot from an old english movie. Seems, the next moment the scen would change.
Well done,
Rajeev

pboehringer (770) 2006-09-14 15:00

Great capture of this symbolic bridge. It's a pity that you didn't capture the whole minaret in the bg. The clouds gives a very good dramatic overall look.
Good work.
Regards, Peter

helmut (406) 2006-09-14 15:05

Beautiful image, the color and the composition are great. A very slight change in position may have revealed the minaret in the background fully under the bridge. You could, if you can go back, shot one image from that position only for the view under the arch of the bridge then composite it with the rest as it is.

Malyshev (2491) 2006-09-14 15:28

Hi,Deniz! Great shot! Wonderful place and composition!I like very dramatic sky here!Very nice colours! Interesting note too! Best regards! Yuri.

rewshearer (682) 2006-09-14 17:03

Hi Deniz
Such a terrible shame that this beautiful bridge was destroyed. Worse, of course, that lives were lost ... but war has so many terrible costs.
An amazing structure even now, it must have been beyond belief 400 years ago! Even the surrounding buildings are magnificent.
Thank you for introducing me to this place.
Rew

daddo (11535) 2007-03-03 17:41

Hi Deniz.I do like your Mostar work and particularly this view of the bridge. The sky gives the impression of time flying, of the turmoil that has cursed this part of the world. I love the light and the contrasts behind the kula on the left.The people on the bridge somehow accentuate not only the size of the structure, but also its vulnerable beauty. Have a look at my few shots of the bridge. Selam. Klaudio.

MIG13 (0) 2007-03-23 18:20

Hi, Deniz! As I told to other TE friends, I've been to this precious town in 1982, before the criminal war. I went to the other side of the original bridge and thought: "Here two different worlds melt, produce life together...". It was just a dream, now I know. Anyway, the Neretva is the same beautiful river and my heart beats hard seeing this unforgettable place here. Teshekür Ederim! Greetings from Rio! Miguel.

pticaruh (276) 2008-08-28 12:55

Hello, Denis

As I said, I like those bridges, but I especially like this photo - I think it is the best of all your three versions of the Mostar Bridge. This one is really dramatic, in accordance with the stormy history of that place. Very impressive indeed

Regards,

Asparuh