The Making of Modern Mostar: A Century of Transformation and Conflict

My name is Ševko, but my friends call me Sheva. I was born in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina and raised during the final decades of Yugoslavia; as a teenager, I defended my home and country during the wars of the 1990s. Even then, I was guiding visitors - usually journalists - and helping them to understand what was happening in the region. I found myself explaining Mostar to visitors, long before I ever imagined becoming a guide. Today, I have more than a decade of professional guiding experience, but in many ways, I’ve been welcoming visitors to Mostar for much longer than that. Before guiding, I worked as a woodworker. Woodworking is a trade that taught me patience, precision, and respect for craft. Those same values shape the way I approach my tours. Nothing is rushed, nothing is superficial. Every story has its place. When I guide, I take you beyond the views of Stari Most and into the life of the city itself. We’ll talk about history but also about what it means to live in Mostar today. I share my own experiences openly, not to dwell on the past, but to help you understand how it still shapes the present. Like many Mostarians, I grew up around the bridge - swimming in the cold, fast waters of the Neretva River and watching (and sometimes also joining) the tradition of diving from the Old Bridge. It is more than a landmark to me; it’s part of my life. I’m also a father of two grown sons, and that perspective has deepened the way I think about this city - its past, its challenges, and its future. I don’t believe in scripted tours or easy versions of history. I believe in honest conversation, shared perspective, and real connection. If you want to truly understand Mostar and not just see it, I invite you to walk with me.