(9 Nov 1996) German/Serbo-Croat
It's exactly three years since Mostar's famous stone bridge was destroyed during fighting.
The destruction of the bridge symbolised more than the loss of bricks and mortar but the fracturing of a community.
Mostar is now a divided town - with Croats living in the west, and Muslims in the east.
On the third anniversary of the bridge's destruction, citizens reminisce about the past and speak of their hopes to see it rebuilt once again.
Since Roman times, Mostar has been a town joined by a bridge.
This metal footbridge, built after the war, is a shadow of what was Mostar's most famous landmark.
The intricate stone bridge was built in the 16th Century by conquering Turks on their way west.
Not only was it a symbol and landmark, it was the town's linchpin, connecting east and west Mostar.
Today, the residents of the town have to make do with memories - memories of their bridge and of a pre-war community living side by side in peace.
For when the bridge was destroyed in 1992, it literally ripped the heart out of the community.
Not only has the war physically divided the two sides - it has ethnically split the community.
Fierce fighting took place between Muslims, Croats and Serbs - all of whom had previously lived together in peace.
Mostar is now a town of two communities - Muslims living in the east and Croats in the west. The river is no longer the centre of the town but a barrier.
Salih Rajkovic, who wrote a Mostar guide book 30 years ago, spoke about the bridge's significance.
SOUNDBITE: (German)
"The Old Bridge in Mostar was built in 1566 and it has been living with the town of Mostar for 427 years. It was a kind of its mayor. Both old and young residents of Mostar used to say - we are going on our bridge."
SUPERCAPTION: Salih Rajkovic, Art Historian
As well as the functional purpose of enabling people to cross the river, the bridge had a recreational use.
For the youngsters of Mostar spent many a summer's day was spent leaping off the bridge into the Neretva.
Although there's a new bridge, it isn't as solid as the old one.
Adis Idriz first jumped off the bridge when he was 12 and he says the new bridge is just not the same.
He wears a tattoo of the bridge on his arm.
SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
"It was my custom, and of other divers, to lean on the bridge wall before jumping. Here, there is nothing to lean on, just emptiness behind you, and this improvised ramp is also rather unsteady."
SUPERCAPTION: Adis Idriz, Bosnian resident of Mostar
Despite the drawbacks, the diving tradition continues and each summer swimmers compete for the championship title - which, by the way, is held by Adis.
Mostar residents live in hope that the steel foot bridge will be only a temporary structure.
SOUNDBITE: (Serbo=Croat)
"It is possible and it should be rebuilt. People say that Turkey is going to build it again as they have done once before - they'll build it again."
SUPERCAPTION: Mahmut Manjgo, Bosnian resident of Mostar
The citizens of Mostar have set their hopes on Turkey building a new bridge - just like their ancestors the Ottomans did in the 16th Century.
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