Mostar: The Bridge of Jokes

Mostar is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, known for its beautiful Ottoman-era architecture and its iconic bridge, Stari Most. But what you may not know is that Mostar is also a hub of puns and jokes.

Legend has it that when the Ottoman governor of Mostar ordered the construction of Stari Most in 1566, the head of the builders’ guild made a deal with the devil to complete the project on time. In exchange, the devil demanded the soul of the first person to cross the bridge. But clever Mostarians found a loophole - they sent a goat across the bridge first, and the devil, not wanting to look silly, begrudgingly accepted the goat’s soul.

Since then, Mostarians have been known for their humor and quick wit. They even have a saying: “You can’t go to Mostar without a joke in your pocket!”

For example, did you hear about the Mostarian who tried to sell his car for 500 euros? He got an offer of 250, but he refused, saying he’d rather walk than be ripped off.

And what do you call a Mostarian who can’t swim? A tourist.

But the Mostarian humor isn’t just limited to jokes. Their everyday language is filled with playful wordplay and double entendres. For example, the Mostarian word for “goodbye” sounds like “I’ll see you tomorrow” - leading to many confused and delayed departures.

So if you ever find yourself in Mostar, don’t forget to pack your sense of humor. And if you hear someone laughing at one of their jokes, don’t be surprised if they respond with a friendly “Are you a Mostarian too?”