Ovčiji Brod

43°14′34″N 18°13′49″E / 43.24276°N 18.23035°E / 43.24276; 18.23035CarriesPedestrians and bicyclesCrossesZalomka riverLocaleNevesinje, Bosnia and HerzegovinaHeritage statusKONSCharacteristicsDesignArchMaterialStoneTotal lengthcca 50 m (164 ft)Width3 m (10 ft)Height5 m (16 ft)Longest span5 m (16 ft)No. of spans3Piers in water2HistoryArchitectMimar Hayruddin, apprentice of Mimar SinanConstructed byOttoman EmpireConstruction end16th centuryRebuilt1883 repaired archStatisticsDaily trafficpedestrianLocation

Ovčiji Brod (transl. Sheep Crossing) is a 16th century Ottoman stone arch bridge spanning Zalomka river, which is located in Bratač village, Nevesinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is another masterpiece of Ottoman bridge building in Bosnia and Herzegovina.^[1][2][3]

History

The bridge was probably erected in the sixteenth century or even later, but most likely after the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge was built in Višegrad. It's suspected that this bridge was built by no other than the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Hayruddin, who also built the Stari Most in Mostar. The name of the bridge (Sheep Crossing) probably comes from shepherds who used to get their sheep herds across the river by using this bridge.

Construction

It is built entirely of stone, and is about three meters wide. Its slender appearance, with three arches, is very similar in appearance and design to the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad, but with Ovčiji Brod it has not been restored as of present, unlike the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge. Despite its age, and very little restoration, the bridge is still relatively well-preserved and still used today by shepherds and tourists alike.

Heritage

Ovčiji Brod bridge is declared by KONS a National monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the session on 6 November 2016.^[4][5] The bridge, along with the Kalufi stećak necropolis, was nominated as potential candidates for UNESCO's listing of the World Cultural Heritage.

References

See also

• List of bridges in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• List of National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina