Leaps of Faith

Photograph By Schelbert/SIPA

November/December 2004 Issue

When Bosnian Croat tank shells rained down on the Stari Most Bridge in 1993, they destroyed more than just a symbol of Balkan unity that had stood since the Ottoman Empire; they also halted the diving contests that had been held at the bridge for more than four centuries in Mostar, now part of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The rebuilding of the historic stone bridge linking Muslims on the east bank of the Neretva River with Christians on the west was completed this year. To celebrate, a multi-ethnic crowd of more than 30,000 gathered in July to marvel once again at the divers’ daring and grace.