There is a fabulous corner of nature with rare architectural monuments dating back to the reign of the Ottoman Empire, headed by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, surrounded by picturesque landscapes and washed by the cool waters of the Bosnian Neretva River. Here, the old bridge over the river seems to be the one from the Scheherazade's eastern stories. Ancient Ottoman mansions adorn the stone-paved streets and neighborhoods. And the largest medieval mosque in Herzegovina is still open to everyone except for prayer times.

The outstanding monument of Islamic religious architecture rises in the historic part of Mostar, one of the most popular tourist cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Karadjoz-Bey Mosque (Karadoz Bey Mosque) was built in 1557 by the order of the grand vizier's brother, as evidenced by the inscription in Arabic on the mosque foundation. According to some historical sources, the design of the mosque was made by the main Ottoman architect and civil engineer of Sultan Suleiman, Mimar Sinan, who created more than 300 large structures and numerous madrasas.

The cube-shaped building is topped by a huge dome over 16 meters high and three smaller domes, which are supported by marble columns. The mosque has a courtyard, from where you can go to the madrasa and a modest library with rare antique publications on religion. There is also a fountain for ritual ablutions that stand in almost all Muslim shrines in the world. Besides, the Karadjoz-Bey Mosque stands out among other religious buildings in Herzegovina because of its tall minaret about 35 meters high, which can be seen from any part of the city and adorns all the tourist postcards.

According to local legend, the mosque was built on the foundation of the ancient Catholic Church of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr. Its parts can still be seen at the base of the stone walls of the Muslim shrine. By the way, the minaret offers a fantastic view of Mostar and its picturesque surroundings.