The Old Bridge in Mostar was built in 1566 and was destroyed by tank shelling from the Croat Defence Council (HVO) positions in 1993. Its reconstruction began in 1999, culminating in a grand opening ceremony on July 23, 2004, after five years of intensive work.

The restoration project was complex and demanding, both in terms of construction and in fostering connections between people on both banks of the Neretva River.

The reconstruction commenced with the signing of a Contract in June 1999, involving UNESCO, the Mayor of Mostar Ivan Prskalo, Deputy Mayor Safet Orucevic, and the Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Jadranko Prlic.

Following the signing of the Contract, the establishment of the Agency for the Reconstruction of the Old Bridge and the Renewal of Mostar's Cultural Heritage (PCU) began the next year. Rusmir Cisic was appointed as the director of the Agency, with Tihomir Rozic as his deputy.

The World Bank approved its first-ever loan for cultural heritage restoration for the Old Bridge, amounting to four million dollars with a 10-year payment deferral, a 35-year repayment period, and an interest rate of 1.5 percent. The Italian Government contributed an additional three million dollars, Turkey provided two million dollars, the Dutch Government one million dollars, and the City of Mostar participated in the entire project with two million dollars.

Among the first donors for the restoration was the Croatian Government with 600,000 dollars. The Development Bank of the Council of Europe donated one million dollars. France contributed with technical equipment and the preparation of the project documentation for the bridge's restoration.

The funds were used not only for the restoration of the Old Bridge but also for the reconstruction of the damaged towers on both sides of the bridge and accompanying structures. These funds also helped restore Napredak's dormitory, Vakuf Palace, and the Bishop's Palace.

The grand opening ceremony of the Old Bridge 20 years ago was attended by numerous dignitaries from the country and delegations from over 50 countries worldwide. The event was broadcast by several international television networks, while 22 planes landed at Mostar Airport.

The Old Bridge was reconstructed using the same materials as those used 450 years ago: the tenelija stone, the same type of mortar from that era, and identical insulation material made from bauxite and clay, which prevented water from entering the bridge's core, keeping it dry inside.

The bridge also featured special channels to prevent water damage. Lead was used as before, with the only difference being the use of much higher-quality Swedish steel.