The Vishegrad Bridge is an impressive bridge over the Drina River in Bosnia and Herzegovina, titled as one of the most significant constructions in Bosnia during the period 15-19 centuries.
Short information about the Vishegrad Bridge
The bridge has 11 arches, is 180 meters long and 6 meters wide. It was constructed between 1571 and 1577 at the request of the vizier Mehmed Pasha Sokolović. (don’t be surprised by the surname – the man was born into a Serbian family from Herzegovina, he was Turkified as a child, and then was a Janissary). For this reason, the bridge over the Drina River is also known as the Mehmed Pasha Sokolovich Bridge. It was built by Sinan, considered the most significant builder in the history of Ottoman architecture.
For information, this same master Sinan also built the famous bridge over the Maritsa River in the city of Svilengrad, Bulgaria. The two bridges share a similar architectural style, but the “Bulgarian” one clearly wins 😉 when it comes to size and scale – it has 21 arches, is 295 meters long, and its width is the same as the Vishegrad one – 6 meters.
The bridge was included in UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007.
In literature, the Vishegrad bridge is best known from The Bridge on the Drina (1945) by Yugoslav writer and Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andrich.
Where is the Vishegrad Bridge
The bridge is located in Vishegrad, 111 km east of the capital Sarajevo, not far from the border between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the bank next to it there is a parking lot and benches for rest and observation.
Vishegrad Bridge 
The bridge and the promenade 
Drina River near Vishegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Final thoughts
I visited the Vishegrad Bridge some time ago while traveling to the Tara River Canyon for an exciting rafting adventure. Although rafting was the main focus of my trip, the bridge over the Drina River quietly captured my attention and stayed with me long after the trip was over.
It is interesting to get to know the bridge in Vishegrad up close, walk across it and admire the beautiful views from the bridge of the Drina River and the nearby hills.
