Life in Bosnia: The Ottoman Houses in Mostar

Life in Bosnia: The Ottoman Houses in Mostar

This article was submitted by ISA BELLE, a Dutch student studying in Herzegovina.

The Ottoman rule over Bosnia officially ended in 1908 when the country was annexed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They have left the Bosnia for over 100 years now, but their influence over Bosnian culture is hard to ignore. The famous burek was a traditional Ottoman food; Bosnians still drink a lot of Turkish coffee; 40% of the population are Muslims; folk music sounds remarkably Turkish, and most old buildings in Old quarters were built in Ottoman style.

Mostar bears many remnants of the Ottoman influence. Not only the Old Bridge is the ultimate Ottoman symbol, but also in the Old part of Mostar around the bridge, one can find many beautiful examples of Ottoman architecture.  There are two very beautifully preserved Ottoman houses open to public with a small entrance fee. One of them is the Muslibegovic House, named after the family who is living there. Besides being a museum, this house is also a lovely hotel where you can sleep and dream back to the Ottoman days. The other one you will recognize the signs marking it as Turkish house.  Both houses are worth a visit; they are beautiful and bring back this exotic Oriental spirit to life.

I have been only to Muslibegovic house, which is located a little bit off the main road.  The owner is a very humble and sweet older man who speaks a mix of at least five languages when talking to people.   He spoke passionately about the Ottoman period and the house which was built by his ancestors. Spending the night there and staying and walking around among the rooms was priceless and magical.  I felt like a princess who had just stepped out of one of the stories of 1001 Arabian Nights.