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]
Ovčiji Brod | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates | 43°14′34″N 18°13′50″E / 43.242763°N 18.230460°E |
| Carries | Pedestrians and bicycles |
| Crosses | Zalomka river |
| Locale | Nevesinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Heritage status | KONS |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch |
| Material | Stone |
| Total length | cca 50 m (164 ft) |
| Width | 3 m (10 ft) |
| Height | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Longest span | 5 m (16 ft) |
| No. of spans | 3 |
| Piers in water | 2 |
| History | |
| Architect | Mimar Hayruddin, apprentice of Mimar Sinan |
| Constructed by | Ottoman Empire |
| Construction end | 16th century |
| Rebuilt | 1883 repaired arch |
| Location | |
 | |
History edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
- ^ "Ovčiji brod (most)". www.virtualnahercegovina.com (in Serbian). Virtualna Hercegovina. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- ^ "Ovčiji brod i njegove tajne". www.virtualnahercegovina.com (in Serbian). Virtualna Hercegovina. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- ^ "Ovčiji brod – neimarsko remek djelo u Brataču kod Nevesinja (foto) |". www.hercegovinapromo.com (in Serbian). Hercegovina promo. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- ^ "Odluku - o proglašenju historijske građevine – „Ovčiji brod" - Most u selu Bratač, općina Nevesinje, nacionalnim spomenikom BiH" (html). sluzbenilist.ba (in English and Serbo-Croatian). Sarajevo: Službeni List- Pregled Dokumenta. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Ovčiji brod - Most u selu Bratač". aplikacija.kons.gov.ba. Sarajevo: KONS. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2023.