Kujundžiluk Bazaar
The bazaar you can see in the next minutes capitalizes the secular tradition of craftsmen who came here in the 15th century with the occupation of this province by the Ottoman Empire and turned Mostar into an important craft and trade center whose fame spread throughout the Empire.
In Mostar there are 30 different associations of craftsmen, some of them dating from 1762, such as bakers (ekmekdžije), the tailors (terzije), the shoemakers (baškmadžije), weavers (ćebedžije), goldsmiths (kujundžije), barbers ), builders (dundžeri) etc. Most of the traditional handicrafts activities are carried out inside the Old Bazaar area, representing a great attraction for tourists who appreciate the authenticity and beauty of the items (clothing, leather, copper and precious metals, fabrics, etc.).
The bazaar is called Kujundžiluk (goldsmiths ?) after the street that runs through the Old Town and used since the 16th century for commercial activities. It is a narrow, pedestrian street, bordered by shops installed in old stone houses and very crowded during our visit. In the central area of the street (bazaar) is the famous Old Bridge (Stari Most, bordered by 2 towers, hence the name of the city: "mostari" = the bridge keepers; built by the Turks in 1566), the emblem of the city. Almost completely destroyed in the civil war (1992-1995), both the bridge and the neighboring historic area were rebuilt with international help. The reconstruction of the bridge in 2004, simultaneously with the political reunification of Mostar, were seen as a symbol of reconciliation and restoration of the connection (physical and spiritual) between the divided ethnic groups (Bosniaks, Croats, Serbs). In July 2005, the Old Town's historic center, including the 16th-century market square, mosques and the famous Old Bridge were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This video starts from the area of the Franciscan Church on the west bank of the Neretva River and along the street (bazaar) crosses much of the Old Town, in the middle with the Old Bridge and ends after the Koski Mehmed Pasha mosque in the eastern part of the city. The subject of the video does not consist in the architectural ensemble that is the subject of the UNESCO cultural heritage, but the tourist bazaar as an offer and atmosphere. In the bazaar we find an "infinity" of items, but it attracts attention and are very visible the products made by coppersmiths ... for example a complete set for preparing and serving Bosnian (Turkish) coffee. We also find oriental delicacies. I was struck by the presence of many handycraft pieces that reflect the memory of the civil war, being made of whole cartridges, cartridge tubes or other ammunition.
28 авг 2024
