Višegrad & the Drina: Bosnia's UNESCO Bridge Guide
Višegrad is a small town in Republika Srpska, in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the Drina meets the Rzav. Its heart is the emerald Drina, a UNESCO-listed Ottoman stone bridge and the town of Ivo Andrić's great novel. For current hours and fares, check official sources; where details are missing, it is honest to say we simply don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## Where are Višegrad and the Drina?
Višegrad is a town and municipality in Republika Srpska, one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the country's east. It sits where the Drina River joins the Rzav. The Drina, known for its emerald-green water, flows between steep canyon walls and defines the landscape around the town. The surrounding country is mountainous, and boat trips and riverside walks are common. For exact seasonal access we honestly don't know and recommend checking official sources. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## What is the story of the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge?
The town's landmark, the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, was built between 1571 and 1577 by the chief Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha. The limestone bridge is 179.5 metres long and rises on 11 masonry arches. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007. Three arches were destroyed in World War I and five damaged in World War II, then restored. For some restoration details we honestly don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, UNESCO)
## Ivo Andrić and 'The Bridge on the Drina'
What carried the bridge to the world is the novel set in Višegrad, 'The Bridge on the Drina' (Na Drini ćuprija). Ivo Andrić published it in 1945 and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1961. The book follows roughly four centuries of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian rule around the bridge, told through the fates of the town's people. Andrić's house can be seen from outside. About parts of his private life we honestly don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## What is Andrićgrad (Kamengrad)?
Near the bridge stands Andrićgrad, also called Kamengrad, a small stone-town complex created by the filmmaker Emir Kusturica. Dedicated to Ivo Andrić, it officially opened on 28 June 2014. Inside are galleries, museum spaces, a church, a square and shops, and its architecture blends styles from different eras. Opening times may change with the season; for the current programme we honestly don't know and suggest following official announcements. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## How do you get to Višegrad and what is nearby?
The nearest airport and railway station are in Sarajevo, about 120 km away, and the town is reachable by bus; the ticket from Sarajevo is reported to be around €8. The 14th-century Dobrun Monastery lies about 12 km from town. On the Drina you can take boat trips, fish and swim. Across the border at Mokra Gora in Serbia, the Šargan-8 narrow-gauge railway makes a day trip. For current schedules and fares we honestly don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
FAQ
Who built the bridge on the Drina and when?
The Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge was built by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha between 1571 and 1577. It is 179.5 metres long with 11 arches and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. (Source: Wikipedia, UNESCO)
Who created Andrićgrad and when did it open?
Andrićgrad, also known as Kamengrad, was created by the filmmaker Emir Kusturica and officially opened on 28 June 2014. It is dedicated to Ivo Andrić and stands close to the bridge. For current visiting details, check official sources. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)