PART 2

2. DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION OF SITE FEATURES AND POTENTIAL

This section describes existing character of the Bridge, identification of potential damaging operations and threats, values and potential of the site.

2.1 Conservation status

«The Bridge is known to have been repaired some time around 1625 (reparation works on the Bridge, as mentioned by E. Çelebi, Turkish travelogue), and again in 1873-75 (repairs to the piers and wooden tower), 1911 and 1939/40.

The bridge has suffered a number of major floods, of which the worst was “Veliki povodanj” or Great Flood of November 1896, when the level of the Drina was 1.60 m. above the bridge. The flood caused serious damage to the Bridge – the korkaluk (parapet) of the bridge collapsed, and was later replaced by a quarry stone wall (Annex IV, AIVa-1,AIVa-2, Photo of the Great Flood).

In 1911/12, a technical survey of damage and repair work to piers nos.4,5,6,7,8 and 9 was carried out by Austrian engineers, (Annex III: documentation from the Archive of Bosnia and Herzegovina).

In 1914/15, during World War I, when the Austrian Army was withdrawing from Višegrad, two piers were blown up by explosive, because of the war-time strategic importance of the road and the Bridge in eastern Bosnia. A steel structure was laid over the demolished sections (Annex IV, AIVa-5, AIVa-6, Photo of the damaged Bridge).

The following year, the Serbian Army destroyed another pier when retreating. The bridge remained in this condition until 1939 when it was repaired. (1939, 1940 – reconstruction of the destroyed sections of the Bridge – reconstruction of the stone arches and piers of the bridge (Annex III: documentation from the Archive of Bosnia and Herzegovina).

During the intervening period, 1915-1939, the sections of the bridge that had been destroyed were fitted with an iron structure to make the bridge passable.

In October 1943, during World War II, when the Germans were in retreat, that part of the Bridge was destroyed again - piers No. 3,4,5 and 6, along with five arches were completely destoyed.

In 1950, 1951 and 1952, the Ministry of Local Communications, Roads Administration, rebuilt the destroyed arches and carried out the restoration of the surviving sections. The visible sections of the structure were copied from the surviving originals. The material used was extracted from the old quarry. The roadway, parapet, sofas and portal were completely renovated (Annex IIII: documentation from the National Institute for the Protection of Monuments of BiH).

By Ruling no. 1099/51 issued by the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the bridge was placed under the protection of the state.

In 1952, granite pavé was laid on the section between pier II and pier VII. The pavé was laid on a layer of sand over a base layer of quarry stone. On the rest of the bridge, it was laid over the original cobbles.

By Ruling no. 02-741-3 dated 18 April 1962, it was registered in the Immovable Cultural Monuments Register under number 208 as a Cultural Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

1966 saw the construction of the Bajina Bašta hydroelectric power plant downstream from the Bridge.

In 1977 the plaque on the gatehouse, the mihrab of the bridge, was reconstructed and the damage to the bridge was inspected.

In 1978 the roadway structure over the bridge was replaced.

In 1979 work began on drawing up the technical documentation for repairs to the damage to the bridge.

During 1980-1982, after research works were conducted, the foundations of three piers (No. 5, 6 and 8) of the Bridge were repaired according to a project by professor Gojkovic, a civil engineer. The works were suspended because of a shortfall of funds, (Annex III: documentation from the National Institute for the Protection of Monuments of BiH).

In 1989, the Višegrad hydroelectric power plant was constructed upstream from the Bridge.

At a session held 27 and 28 March 1990, the Commission for the Categorization of the Architectural Heritage, appointed by Ruling no. 10-338-8/89 issued by the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina, issued an Opinion that the Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic Bridge should be listed as a Category I asset of the cultural and historical heritage, pursuant to article 14 of the law. The Regional Plan for BiH to 2002 classified the bridge as a Category 0 monument on account of its outstanding beauty.

In 1991 the ramp was reconstructed, to a design project by the Institute for the Protection of the

Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage of BiH (Annex III:documentation from the National Institute for the Protection of Monuments of BiH).

In 1992, repair works started on pier No. 2.

In 2003, by Decision of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments of BiH, the Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic Bridge was designated as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Annex I, AI-11: Decision of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments of BiH no.: 08.2-6-101/03-5).

In 2003, vehicular traffic was suspended at the request of the Commission, since heavy traffic posed a threat to the structure (AnnexI, AI-11: Decision of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments of BiH no.: 08.2-6-101/03-5; AI-12: Ruling of the Town Planning and Building Inspector no. 16-362-119/05).

In 2004, underwater video recording of the Bridge's foundations was carried out.

In 2005 the Bridge was added to the WMF List of the world’s 100 most endangered monuments.

In 2005, a geolaser survey of the bridge was begun”.

Chronology of the works on the Bridge:

1. 1571-1577 – construction of the Bridge,

2. around 1625 – reparation works on the Bridge, as mentioned by E. Celebi, Turkish travelogue,

3. 1875 - reparation works on the Bridge – reparation of the piers and wooden tower,

4. November, 1896 – big flood caused serious damages on the Bridge,

5. 1911/12 - technical survey of damages and repair works on piers No.4,5,6,7,8 i 9 done by Austrian engineers,

6. 1914, 1915 – damage of the Bridge – two piers were blown up by explosive, given the strategic

significance of the road and the Bridge in war-times in eastern Bosnia,

7. 1939, 1940 - reconstruction of the destroyed sections of the Bridge,

8. 1943 - damage of the Bridge for the same reasons as during World War I, piers No. 3,4,5 and 6, along with five arches were completely destoyed,

9. 1949-1952 - reconstruction of the destroyed sections of the Bridge (During 1950, 1951 and 1952, the Road Administration of the Ministry of Local Traffic reconstructed the destroyed vaults and carried out the restoration works on some sections. The restored sections were constructed to match the preserved sections. The material was taken from the old quarry. Restored were the roadway, parapet, sofas and portal.),

10. 1960 – reconstruction of the road leading over the Bridge,

11. 1966 – construction of the hydroelectric power plant of Bajina Bašta, downstream of the Bridge,

12. 1980-1982 - after research works were conducted, the foundations of three piers (No. 5, 6 and 8) of the Bridge were repaired according to the project by professor Gojkovic, a civil engineer. The works were suspended because of the lack of funds,

13. 1989 - construction of the hydroelectric power plant of Višegrad, upstream of the Bridge,

14. 1991 - the reconstruction of the ramp; it was designed according to a project made by the Institute for Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage of BiH,

15. 1992 – repair works started on pier No. 2 but they were never finished,

16. 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina cut off the works. The Bridge, however, did not suffer any damage as a result of immediate war actions,

17. 2003 - the vehicular traffic was suspended as requested by the Commission since the structure was exposed to the risks of heavy traffic,

18. 2004 - the underwater video recording of the Bridge's foundations took place.

2.2 Identification of potential damaging operation and threats

During the procedure of filling the PTA form, in November 2004, an expert from the Council of

Europe and experts from the Commission to Preserve National Monuments inspected the monument.

The findings of an on site inspection of the bridge are as follows:

¾      The bridge suffered no damage as a result of war action,

¾      Since the power plant is in constant operation, the bridge is exposed to fluctuations in water flow and level on a daily basis, which directly jeopardizes its stability and future survival. Piers of the Bridge are constantly exposed to heavy waves and changes of the environment, which reduces bearing capacity of the stone. Temporary protection in the shape of steel panels has been erected on the second and fifth piers, intended to prevent further erosion of the stone, but the intervention has had no results,

¾      Damages made on the pedestrian side have caused water leakage through the vaults, and freezing in winter time,

¾      There has been shifting of outer layer of the stone between the third and fifth vault of the bridge (as a result on internal changes),

¾      The bridge is at risk of rapid deterioration as a result of the lack of regular maintenance - due to the lack of financial means.

The construction of the Bajina Bašta hydroelectric power station and the accompanying reservoir

below the bridge has diminished its aesthetic value. The construction of the Višegrad hydroelectric power

station has still further altered the hydrology of the area and poses a threat to the bridge's stability.

The historical monument of the Mehmed paša Sokolovic Bridge is either directly or indirectly

endangered by the following:

¾      Geo - Technical Instability / Erosion of the foundations construction, caused by frequent changes of the water level; becaused of that and because of ageing proces structure of the Bridge is in the danger of failure – deformations and collapse, loss of material, detachment, small cracking,

¾      Dam Construction / Deterioration of the stone construction of the piers due to frequent changes of the water level,

¾      Neglect and Inadequate Maintenance, there are no signs, clear paths or guarding around the Bridge,

¾      Lack of Financial Resources for maintenance and repair,

¾      Inadequate Planning followed by industrial development that actually ignores existence of the bridge and poor integration of heritage into development plans; municipality Višegrad, because of that, became isolated “dig”, concerning economical, cultural and tourism development.

2.2.1. Development pressures

Impact of Industry on the Bridge:

Industry is poorly developed in the Višegrad Municipality. Important industrial plants for the production of paint and varnish, furniture, metal industry (cables bearings) and civil engineering industry plants are not working today due to insolvency proceedings. At this point in time, industrial plants cannot

affect the Bridge and its Protection Zone.

The impact of industry on the bridge is low, with a tendency to become bigger. The industrial development of the Municipality of Višegrad cannot be restricted by the designation of the Bridge as a national monument. It is possible, however, to plan the development in line with the principles of the sustainable development and environment protection. The industrial development may pose a significant

threat to the environment and lead to the pollution of waters, air, soil, destruction of flora and fauna, cultural and historical heritage, including the Bridge and Protection Zone of the Bridge.

This problem can be viewed within the wider context of protection of tourism potentials. In that context, we can speak about developmental pressures, potential problems due to unchecked economic development that could damage and destroy potentials for the development of tourism.

A plan to revitalise existing industrial plants and build new ones is vital for the development of the

Višegrad Municipality. These plans, however, must be made in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

The development of sustainable tourism entails harmonisation of economic, ecological, social and

cultural relations on the territory of a certain destination.

It is therefore necessary to ensure protection from excessive economic exploitation and devastation of areas intended for tourism activities. This has already been a considerable problem in the Višegrad Municipality, primarily due to the operation of the hydroelectric plant on the Drina and the structure of industry in the Municipality. The current situation (most industrial plants have been shut down) should be a starting point for a change in planning the future development of economic and other ventures in the Municipality. Therefore, when making a decision on the re-launching or re-activation of certain economic ventures and capacities, it is necessary to ensure a realistic assessment of potential harm for ecological balance and other aspects of the Municipality. As pointed out in the section on contents exploitable for tourism purposes, most of them depend on the preservation of an ecological and natural balance in this territory.

In order to prevent devastation as a consequence of future economic development, it will be necessary to base Municipal development plans on reinforcing and further development of the preconditions for the development of tourism. In that context, future plants should be related to "clean industry", that is, the operation or activation of those facilities liable to endanger the environment and the fate of the Municipality's treasure should be prevented.

Impact of the Use of Land on the Bridge:

The Decision on Designating the Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic Bridge a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina defines a Protection Zone stretching 100 meters up- and downstream from the Bridge where it prohibits the construction of residential, commercial and agricultural facilities; the performance of any works apart from conservation and restoration (upon approval and under professional supervision of an appointed authority); the deposit of all forms of waste; access by motor vehicles; infrastructure works, except in exceptional cases and upon approval from the Republika Srpska ministry in charge of urban planning and under the expert supervision of an appointed service; the construction of road infrastructure and power facilities, quarries and other polluters whose construction or operation could be detrimental to the national monument.

The impact of the inappropriate use of land is low. A negative impact on the Bridge and Protection Zone of the Bridge may be caused by the improper and environmentally unadjusted use of land with no respect for the inherited architecture and Decision on the designation of the Bridge as the National Monument.

The Decision on Designating the Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic Bridge a national monument stipulates strict measures in the first Protection Zone: “construction of residential, commercial and agricultural facilities is prohibited, all works are prohibited other than conservation and restoration works carried out according to an approved project and under the professional supervision of the heritage protection authority of Republika Srpska, all infrastructural works are prohibited other than in exceptional cases with the approval of the relevant ministry and under the professional supervision of the heritage protection authority of Republika Srpska, construction of any infrastructure or power facilities, quarries and other pollutants, the construction or operation of which could be detrimental to the national monument is prohibited”.

The new Spatial Plan of the Višegrad Municipality valid until 2010 and the new Urban Plan valid until 2015 that are to include the above limitations pertaining to this area are currently being drafted.

Impact of Infrastructure on the Bridge:

A priority for the Bridge and its Protection Zone is the development of road infrastructure that would take on all transit traffic as well as the possible construction of a new bridge to connect the two parts of Višegrad on the right and left bank of the Drina. It is also important to construct infrastructure to improve use of the Bridge and its Protection Zone and enhance it as a tourist attraction: lighting, canals for draining rainwater, benches, a promenade, bicycle paths, piers for boats, platforms, catering establishments. The construction of infrastructure in the protected zone which is not in direct aid of the Bridge, such as landlines, aqueducts, heating systems, etc. could be detrimental to the Bridge's Protection Zone.

The impact of the infrastructure works, which are not in connection with the Bridge, is at the medium-high level. Any construction of infrastructure and infrastructure works that may lead to alterations

in the Protection Zone of the Bridge could be conducted, following the Decision proclaiming the Mehmedpaša Sokolovic Bridge, only with a permit issued by the Ministry in charge of regional planning of the Republika Srpska.

Moderating measure is planned infrastructure works in the Bridge zone.

2.2.2. Environmental pressures

Impact of Climate on the Bridge:

The climate in the Višegrad valley is moderate continental with long and warm summers and cold

winters. The average annual temperature is 16 ºC. January is the coldest month in the year with an average temperature of 1-2 ºC, and July is the warmest month with an average temperature of 24 ºC. The average annual precipitation is 1000 mm. Rainfall is heaviest in the autumn and spring. Snowfall occurs in the period from November to March. The snow cover is mostly up to 10 cm and rarely exceeds 50 cm.

Višegrad and the valley areas along the Drina river are surrounded by hills. There are two large bodies of water up- and downstream from Višegrad which frequently causes fog especially in the morning

hours.

The impact of climate on the Bridge is low. Snow cover and ice formed in the wintertime reduce the safety on the Bridge. The Bridge is paved with stone slabs that are very slippery even when covered with a thin layer of glazed frost.

Regular clearing as foreseen by the Management Plan would eliminate this effect.

Impact of Water Quality on the Bridge:

The river Drina is a clean river rich in fish. The flow of Drina down to Ljubovija is the original and

natural habitat of the huchen (H. hucho) which is a protected species. The huchen thrives in clean waters

whose temperature is low and which are rich in oxygen. This fish is very sensitive to pollutants, so its presence in the Drina near Višegrad gives a good indication of the quality of water. Due to this quality of

water, the river is suitable for recreation (swimming, rafting, etc.) The town wastewater flows into the Drina through collectors or, in individual cases, directly. Many private houses have not been integrated into the sewage network, but have individual septic tanks. Thanks to a small number of residents and the Drina's average rate of flow of cca 300 m³/s, the river has a rapid self-purification rate which contributes to the preservation of its quality and biodiversity. Industrial facilities that could potentially pollute the river are not operational today. There is practically no industrial wastewater. A worsening of the quality of water would have a negative effect on the Bridge and the river as a whole. This would in turn cause a drop in the number of visitors, poorer development of tourism and a decrease of sports activities on the Drina and in the vicinity of the Bridge.

The impact of drainage of the town's waste waters to the Bridge and Protection Zone of the Bridge is low. It is possible to expect for the quality of waters to become worse by the revitalization of the existing industrial plants/or by the construction of the new ones, which would significantly reduce the tourist offer of Višegrad.

Therefore, the Management Plan provides for monitoring water quality.

Impact of Air Quality on the Bridge:

The air in Višegrad is of top quality. War damages and difficulties in the process of industrial renewal have eliminated the possibility of air pollution by inorganic and organic pollutants. The sources of

air pollution in Višegrad consist of households and other facilities using sold fuels for heating and traffic. These sources have a negligible effect on air quality. Negative influences are felt on foggy days and during air inversion when there is a higher concentration of black smoke and an increase in CO2 and SO2 concentration due to the burning of wood and fossil fuels. Višegrad does not have a heating plant. The heating of all facilities is individual.

The impact of the occasional deterioration of air quality on the bridge is low. Directing the traffic

over the Bridge, may lead to the deterioration of air quality at the micro location of the Bridge and the Protection Zone of the Bridge.

Prohibition of the traffic over the Bridge, in accordance with the decision of the Commission, has

lead to the improvement of air quality at the micro location of the Bridge and the Protection Zone of the Bridge.

However, the Management Plan foresees continuous monitoring of air quality.

Impact of Flora and Fauna on the Bridge:

The tourism offer of the Višegrad Municipality is enhanced by a large number of various plant and

animal species in the area. The very fact that 60% of the Višegrad Municipality area is forested and that the river Drina is rich in autochthonous fish says enough of the possibility to associate various other tourism activities to visits to the Bridge. This area is famous for its fruit cultivation (12% of the area consists of orchards) and great possibilities for agricultural development. Village tourism and organic food production can be included in the tourism offer. The river is rich in fish. The construction of the Višegrad hydroelectric plant severed fish migration routes, so that regular introduction of autochthonous fish into the river became necessary. The banks in the Bridge's Protection Zone have not been cultivated and mainly contain wild plants. Grass and weeds grow on the surface of the Bridge and especially on its sides, mainly along the fence, from cracks between the stone blocks.

The negative impact of flora is at the medium-high level, while fauna has no impact on the Bridge. The appearance of grass and weeds in the fissures of the Bridge and between the slabs may cause the

development of cracks in the slabs and permanent „corrosion“ of the stone blocks, as well as the deterioration of the Bridge’s appearance.

Management Plan provides for regular cleaning of plant life from the bridge.

Impact of Landscape on the Bridge:

The landscape has a significant effect on the image of the Bridge. The banks of the Drina river in the Bridge's Protection Zone and beyond have not been cultivated. The Protection Zone lacks both technical and horticultural design. The soil on the banks in the Protection Zone has not been stabilised; there are no gutters or drainage canals for precipitation; the grass and trees are mostly wild. The landscape is also affected by low water levels in the Drina occurring occasionally during great droughts. In contrast to the Bridge's Protection Zone that has obviously been neglected, Višegrad's surrounding areas possess exceptionally beautiful landscapes with attractive scenic views from the hills and mountains rich in flora and fauna.

The impact of landscape on the bridge is at the medium-high level. The un-landscaped surrounding area may have a negative impact on the visual and aesthetic impression of the Bridge.

The Planning and Policy Framework section of the Management Plan foresees technical and

horticultural design for the I Protection Zone of the Bridge and regulation of the Drina riverbed.

Available documentation: Study of climate features of the wider area of the municipality of Višegrad planned to be used for drafting the spatial and urban development plan

2.2.3. Natural Disasters and Risk Preparation

Floods

The Drina River is the biggest river in the region, which is spanned by the Mehmed-paša Sokolovic Bridge. The Drina begins where the Tara and Piva rivers merge. It flows from the south to the north. The Drina is the largest tributary of the Sava, which flows into the Danube and belongs to the Black Sea catchment area. The river is 341 km long. The surface of the catchment area is 19.570 km², the precipitation quantity is 700-3000 mm, the average specific outflow rate is 19 l/s/km², and the average annual flow velocity at the estuary is 425 m³/s. At a distance of 1 km downstream of the Bridge is the mouth of the Rzav River into the Drina River, which is the peripheral part of the storage lake of the HE Bajna Bašta, which extends to the Bridge itself. The Rzav River has the features of a torrent river and brings large quantities of water to the storage lakes of the HE Bajna Bašta during the heavy precipitation events.

The area of Višegrad was struck by a number of heavy floods. The heaviest flood happened in 1896, when the level of the Drina River went up 1,60 m above the Bridge.

So far three hydro-electric power plants have been built on the Drina River: the HE Višegrad, HE Bajna Bašta and HE Zvornik.

Impact of Floods on the Bridge:

The impact of floods on the Bridge is very big. Floods can cause serious damage to the Bridge, have negative impacts on the structure of the Bridge, its stability and appearance. Floods can cause serious damages to the Drina River banks, i.e. the Protection Zone of the Bridge.

With proper regulation, the HE Višegrad and HE Bajina Bašta storage lakes can have a compensatory function in the event of high precipitation. The Management Plan provides for the establishment of activities necessary for proper regulation of the operation of these hydroelectric plants.

Quantity of Waters -He Višegrad

The HE Višegrad is located upstream of the Bridge, at a distance of approximately 2,5 km from the town of Višegrad. The HE Višegrad belongs to the type of run-of-the-river power plants, with three generator units of the nominal power of 105 MW each. The useful capacity of the storage lake is 101 mil. m³, the average annual water inflow to the storage lake is 342 m³/s, and maximum gross water dip is 48,16 m. The prescribed ecological minimum for the hydro-electric power plant is 50 m³/s.

Impact of the He Višegrad on the Bridge:

The impact of the HE Višegrad on the Bridge is substantial. The improper handling, untimely reaction in the event of high waters and failure to maintain the ecological minimum of the HE Višegrad may cause significant damages on the Bridge, pose a threat to flora and fauna of the Drina River and spoil the appearance of the Bridge and its Protection Zone.

The overflow fields with segment stop valves to control the quantity of overflow waters were identified on the dam for the purpose of evacuation of ten-thousand-year waters (Q 10 000 =5325 m³/s). This significantly reduces the possibility of floods in the area of Višegrad. In addition, the storage lake retains the waste that comes down with precipitation waters (During the heavy precipitation events, waters would bring chunks of wood, stones and even logs down to the Bridge).

A construction permit was issued to the HE Višegrad under the condition that the company JP Elektroprivreda SR BiH (today’s JP Elektroprivreda RS) do the improvement of the Drina river bed downstream of the dam to the Mehmed-paša Sokolovic Bridge, as well as the repair of the damaged piers of the Bridge. The company JP Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske has not thus far fulfilled this obligation.

The Management Plan provides for a series of activities:

¾      Coordination of a plan to prevent floods with plans of HE Višegrad,

¾      Coordination of a flood prevention plan and a system of intervention measures with plans of HE Višegrad,

¾      Obliging HE Višegrad to perform continuous measurement and report on the quantity of water released from the storage lake, especially in terms of maintaining the ecological minimum,

¾      Obliging HE Višegrad to devise a plan of receiving great quantities of water and a coordination plan of water release from the storage lake of HE Bajina Bašta.

Quantity of Waters -He Bajna Bašta

The reversible HE Bajna Bašta, which is located at the territory of Serbia and Montenegro, enters the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina with its storage lake of 130 million m³ and reaches the Mehmed-paša Sokolovic Bridge. The storage lake of the HE Bajna Bašta is 1,5 m above the height planned by the project. The waters of the storage lake pound against the Bridge causing thus permanent oscillations in the water flow, jeopardizing the stability of the Bridge, causing erosion of the Bridge’s piers and spoiling the visual impression of the Bridge. The Rzav River (with the river mouth being 1 km downstream of the Bridge) has the features of a torrent river and during heavy precipitation events it brings large quantities of water to the Drina River, which additionally makes the water level in the storage lake of Bajna Bašta rise.

Impact of the He Bajna Bašta on the Bridge:

The impact of the HE Bajna Bašta is big. The storage lake of the HE Bajna Bašta poses a threat to the stability of the Bridge, causes erosion of the piers, and spoils the appearance of the Bridge as the visible height of the piers becomes smaller.

The Management Plan provides for a series of activities that determine proper regulation of the HE Bajina Bašta storage lake, which can serve as a compensatory storage lake and receive great quantities of water in the even of high precipitation.

Documentation that can be found in the HE Višegrad:

1. Report on Hydraulic Model Studies of the Impact of the HE Višegrad Construction on the Downstream Area, Institute for Water Resources Management Jaroslav Cerni, Belgrade 1982

2. Study of the Alluvial Soils’ Regime in the Upper Stream of the Drina River, Republic Hydro meteorological Institute of BiH and Hydro technique Institute of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of

Sarajevo, 1983-84

3. Stydy produced as a Partnership Work of the HE Višegrad and RAHE Bajna Bašta, SOUR Energoinvest, OOUR Higrainženjering, Sarajevo 1983

4. Study of the Impact of the Work Regime of the HE Višegrad on the Mehmed-paša Sokolovic Bridge in Višegrad, Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University in Belgrade, Hydro technique Institute, Belgrade 1985

5. Report on the Condition of the Foundations of the Mehmed-paša Sokolovic Bridge Spanning the Drina River in Višegrad (the so called "0" condition before putting the HE Višegrad into operation), Institute for Materials and Structures of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Belgrade, 1989.

Risk Preparation

The main objective of the Plan to alleviate the existing and potential negative environmental impacts on the Mehmed-paša Sokolovic Bridge is to ensure the acceptability of the plan in view of the identified negative influences, provide for the efficient implementation of the alleviation measures, identify the institutions responsible for the implementation of the Plan, establish the supervision over the implementation of the recommended alleviation measures as well as set up a programme of regular monitoring of the environment and taken measures.

If managed properly, the storage lakes of the HE Višegrad and the HE Bajna Bašta may serve as

compensation storage lakes that will take in large quantities of water in the course of heavy precip itation

events.

Apart from the above stated objective, the Plan of alleviation measures identifies the needs to provide education for the local population and wider community about the protection of environment and

cultural and historical heritage.

The Plan of alleviation measures is an integral part of the Management Plan.

2.2.4. Tourism pressure and visitors

Impact of Tourism on the Bridge:

Tourism has a positive effect on the development of the Višegrad Municipality and the use of the

Bridge as an exceptional tourist attraction. The development of tourism will compensate for the loss of the

Bridge as part of a road. The Višegrad Municipality possesses great potential for the development of tourism and for combining the tourist attraction of the Bridge with other offers: the narrow gauge railway, the Dobrun monastery, the church and mosque in Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic's village, spa tourism, hunting and fishing tourism, village and eco tourism, etc.

The negative impact of tourism on the Bridge is low, today. The negative impact of tourism is manifested through dumping waste at the Bridge and protected zone of the Bridge, graffiti writing, destroying green areas, etc.

The existing state and number of visitors (and to a lesser degree - tourists) does not constitute a

considerable problem for the bridge in terms of physical load or potential damage. The reason lies in the fact that the number of visitors is small and they linger on the bridge relatively briefly.

However, the development of tourism and a more aggressive approach to offering tourist attraction, as well as the creation of advertising aimed at potential visitors and tourists, demands that this problem be considered form the very beginning. Since the Bridge allows open access to visitors, without limiting their number, a larger number of visitors can cause problems mainly related to pollution and devastation of the Bridge and surrounding area and the deposit of large quantities of waste materials near the Bridge and on the riverbanks by visitors and tourists. This pertains primarily to potential problems related to the organisation of tours and hunting and fishing, as well as other outdoor activities.

It is therefore necessary to implement educational activities in cooperation with tourist agencies and guides who would convey to the visitors before and during each visit what is expected in terms of a responsible attitude towards locations visited. Apart from that, ordinances prohibiting littering, destruction of plant life and devastation of the area should be properly marked and a sufficient number of litter bins should be provided as well as their regular maintenance. Finally, the last link in the chain is the organisation and engagement of and ecological police force that would implement preventive measures and sanction inappropriate behaviour.

As far as the protection of the Bridge itself is concerned, there must be continuous control (at regular time intervals determined on the basis of the number of visitors) of possible damages and activities must be initiated to repair such damages and prevent further ones. These controls are to be implemented under the jurisdiction of the Višegrad Municipality, or a body put in charge of the management and maintenance of the Bridge and its surrounding area.

The other aspect of pressure from tourists pertains to a potential conflict between visitors and tourists on the one hand and the local population on the other. Namely, buildings that are of interest for visitors and tourists often have a certain significance for the local population which can lead to a "conflict of interest" between these groups. The immediate cause may be an aggressive approach of tourists focused on their own demands and wanting their expectations to be met, sometimes even at the detriment of the local community. Apart from that, the local population is often seen as part of the tourist product of a destination. This mainly pertains to shop owners, those with crafts workshops, houses for rent, those engaged in civilian and religious centres, that is, all those participating in the organisation and provision of various services that can attract visitors.

The main areas of interaction between the local population and visitors depend on the number of

visitors using the capacities and services at the destination that are suited to the needs of the local population and can accommodate a limited number of users. An excessive number of visitors can jeopardise the stability of services such as electricity, running water, roads (damages), parking lots, etc. All of this can affect the quality of life for the local population.

The use of various transport vehicles, whether private or public, for the organisation of collective visits can jeopardise the local population's freedom of movement, limit their parking capacity and access to various services they require and expect. Apart from that, noise and air pollution resulting from an increase in the number of motor vehicles constitute a considerable point of conflict of interest between the local population and visitors.

Stakeholders in daily activities and commercial contents used by the local population and related to the sale of food, cleaning services, etc. are forced to change their locations because they can no longer afford the high rent payments imposed in the historical centres of town due to the arrival of tourists. Extensive commercialisation results from the activities of private shops and commercial companies seeking to maximise their business through a combination of advertising, signs and sometimes with the use of sound effects. Signs that are too large or badly designed can irritate the local population. On the other hand, the concentration of large numbers of visitors tends to attract many types of persons seeking possibilities of success.

Behaviour in public places conditioned by a large number of restaurants, bars and various form of

entertainment increases noise, vandalism, crime and the like, which have a negative effect on the life of the local population and cannot be compensated for by the positive effects of tourism development.

The Management Plan determines an approach tourism development strategy and provides ways of preventing the potential negative effects of tourism.

2.2.5. Number of inhabitants

Impact of Population on the Bridge:

Višegrad has a population of approximately 6000, while the entire Municipality of Višegrad has 19.419 inhabitants, according to an assessment of the Statistics Institute of RS done in 2004. The residents of Višegrad are emotionally attached to the Bridge. This attachment to the Bridge as a symbol of Višegrad and the centre of life in Višegrad was developed through generations of residents in this area. The importance of the Bridge for the residents of Višegrad was best described by a local journalist who said that his first memory was of the Bridge and that the last image he wanted to take away with him was the Bridge. Many residents of Višegrad would like to see the Bridge open for traffic for special occasions such as weddings, funerals, and the like. The structure of the population has changed considerably since the 1992-1995 war. Many displaced persons have moved here from other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina which in turn changed the national, educational and cultural structure of the population.

The negative impact of the population on the Bridge is low. The negative impact of the population

on the Bridge is manifested through dumping waste at the Bridge and protected zone of the Bridge, graffiti writing, destroying green areas, etc.

It is necessary to implement educational activities about a responsible attitude towards sites that are visited. Ordinances prohibiting littering, destruction of plant life and devastation of the area should be

properly marked and a sufficient number of litter bins should be provided as well as their regular maintenance. Finally, the last link in the chain is the organisation and engagement of and ecological police force that would implement preventive measures and sanction inappropriate behaviour.

2.3 Definition of the property

“The Višegrad Bridge is among the most impressive bridges in the world, and in its setting, its engineering and its formal features, as well as in its durability and solidity, and its readiness to receive and absorb changes to its environment, it is a masterpiece by a world master architect.

To anyone observing the bridge, regardless of his or her knowledge of history, art and literature, it is plain to see at first glance that the bridge in Višegrad reflects the skill of a master architect and builder. The architect of the Višegrad Bridge was Mimar Koca Sinan ibn Abd al-Mannan, most famous of all the architects of the Ottoman Empire and one of the greatest architects the world has known. The Višegrad Bridge is one of his two most important designs of this type. The uniqueness of the Višegrad bridge is associated largely with its form – a geniculation structure composed of a section with eleven arches spanning the Drina, and a four-arched ramp by means of which the bridge takes a right angle to join the left bank, following the lie of the land. This form, which was that of the bridge on completion, has largely survived in authentic shape to this day.

What especially makes this bridge unique and outstanding is that it is either reflection of or reflected on the power, skills and ability of the three the most prominent historical figures - its endeavour Grand Vezier Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic, its author - the greatest architect of Ottoman Empire Koca mimarbasha Sinan and its „biographer“, the Nobel's prize laureate Ivo Andric – writer of the famous „The Bridge over Drina“. It makes its architectural, historical and symbolic values merging into the outstanding expression that is among few icons representing Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Bridge was built at the peak of power and glory of Ottoman Empire, in the period when several men originating form Bosnia were influential and authoritative in the very heart of Empire. Their influence resulted in ability to build glorious endowments in their homeland. Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic was the most famous among them and his legacy is immense – but the bridge across the river of his origin – this bridge in Višegrad - is in fact the most famous.

It has been glorified by folk tradition and folk poetry, by historiography and writers, artists and visitors more then any other piece of human work in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic Bridge has always been understood by each and all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina as their own precious heritage. That is why this monument survived even the war 1992-1996 when heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina was the target of wanton and systematic destruction.

The bridge is associated with important historical events from different periods of Bosnia -Herzegovinian history. It is a place that lot of citizens associate with the memories of historical and social

changes, rebellions, wars, persecution of civilians – what adds to this old structure built in 1551-1557 – a

new symbolic and semantic layer that some World Heritage sites have as a basic and prevailing value”.

2.4. Boundary – first protection zone

The boundary of the Bridge, encloses structure itself and a zone extending 100 meters upstream and downstream from the bridge, and 100 meters in width on both sides, covers area of app. 0,2 hectares, was formally designated as the First Protection Zone. Within I Protection Zone strict measures are designated forbidding new constructions except conservation-restoration works, dumping of waste is prohibited, motor vehicle traffic is prohibited, all infrastructural works are prohibited other than in exceptional cases with the approval of the relevant ministry and under the professional supervision of the heritage protection authority of Republika Srpska, construction of any infrastructure or power facilities, quarries and other pollutants, the construction or operation of which could be detrimental to the national monument is prohibited.

The original location of the bridge remains unaltered.

2.5. Functional and Usage Aspects in the First Protection Zone

The Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic Bridge was created as a result of a considered location of a throughway that connects two banks of the river Drina at a place most convenient with respect to existing

roads. The Višegrad Bridge has played an important role in the development of the town, because facilities were built around it to enhance transit traffic (rest areas with catering establishments, travel insurance for passengers, goods and merchandise, etc.) Parallel with the development of central functions, residential districts were built and the residential area expanded along with the functions and facilities needed by its inhabitants.

The Bridge was thus integrated into the urban structure, both as a traffic route and by being positioned in the zone of central town functions (the east side of the Bridge, that is, the right bank of the Drina).

2.6. Facilities and Existing Physical Structures in the First Protection Zone

The Bridge has been protected by law since 1951. Since then, all interventions were conditioned by prescribed protection measures defined in accordance with its status. After the 1992-1995 war and the

establishment of a new registry of cultural properties, the Commission to Preserve National Monuments passed a Decision designating the Bridge a national monument and determining a Protection Zone of 100

meters up- and downstream from the Bridge. The zone also includes the banks in the area of 100 m up- and downstream from the Bridge.

There are no buildings on the left bank of the Drina, while on the opposite bank, there are 8 buildings in the protected zone. This zone contains physical structures which are not representative due to the state of the buildings and which spoil the appearance of the Bridge's surroundings.

In the long period of the Bridge's existence, the space surrounding it, although at the central of town, did not manage to develop or grow into a firmer urban centre that would make a complete whole along with the Bridge.

Activities geared at an adequate treatment of the space and buildings in the Bridge's immediate zone began in 2003 with the Decision designating the Bridge a national monument.

The protection measures defined by the Decision are an expression of preventive actions preceding the passing of precise guidelines and documents which will define the regulation of the First Protection Zone.

The left bank included in the First Protection Zone includes the motorway approach to the bridge in both directions, along the bank of the Drina. There are not buildings in this area and it is part of the natural backdrop of the Bridge. The protection of this natural environment should be a primary goal in the future treatment of this area.

On the right bank included in the First Zone, there are 8 buildings. The Reliability Chart shows the physical state of these buildings. We can see that only the building marked with the number 6, upstream

from the bridge, is in a good state. This is an individual residential building, recently reconstruction, but under dubitable reconstruction conditions. The hotel building marked with the number 1 and the residential commercial building adjoining it, marked with the number 2, fall into the middle reliability category. They must be repaired in accordance with the prescribed protection conditions to reflect architectural, environmental and historical values.

The other buildings are in a poor state. Among them are three buildings that make up the street

façade (buildings marked with the numbers 3, 4 and 5).

Buildings 7 and 8 are used for residence and auxiliary activities and occupy individual plots of land.

Annex II: Maps

AII -14 RELIABILITY OF BUILDINGS IN THE FIRST PROTECTION ZONE

AII -15 CURRENT USE OF THE BUILDINGS IN THE FIRST PROTECTION ZONE

AII -16 HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS IN THE PROTECTION BELT

Annex IV: Photo documentation

AIV d: 1 Building 2

AIV d: 2 Building 2,3,4,5

AIV d: 3 Building 5

AIV d: 4 Building 6

2.7. Cultural values

In the context of the “Management Guidelines for World Cultural Heritage Sites” (1998), the cultural values are recognized in this Plan as:

¾      identity value, namely: age, tradition, continuity, memorial, legendary, sentiment, spiritual, religious and symbolic,

¾      artistic and technical value and

¾      rarity value.

Cultural values are elaborated in Nomination File para 3.a till 3.d.

Criteria under which inscription of the Mehmed pasha Sokolovic Bridge in Višegrad is proposed are:

C (i.)

“To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius”,

C (ii.)

“To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design”,

C (iv.)

“To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history”,

C (vi.)

“To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance”,

“The site must meet the test of authenticity in design, material, workmanship or setting”.

Criteria are elaborated in the Nomination file para 3.a till 3.d, pg. 15-18, 18-26, 34-39.

Educational value:

“The Bridge in Višegrad, a supreme architectural achievement and an inseparable part of the lives of not only the residents of Višegrad and across Bosnia and Herzegovina, but of all travelers that have had the good fortune to see it, has become an eternal and inexhaustible source of inspiration.

Indirectly and directly, it is connected to tradition and ideas, beliefs and customs”.

“From 1994, artists gather in Višegrad each year to spend a week in August socializing and exchanging experience, knowledge and inspiration. They come from Banja Luka and Sarajevo, Knin and

Moscow, from America, Belgrade, Budapest and Cacak, Sofia and Shanghai, Užice and Trebinje, Japan,

Sweden, Belgium, the Ukraine, Greece. In the Višegrad Town Gallery, various transpositions of the Bridge as motif can be seen in the works of many artists prominent on the contemporary domestic and international art scene”.

Literary evenings entitled "Down the Višegrad Trails" are traditionally held in Višegrad to honour

the country's Nobel Laureate. Ivo Andric brought fame not only to the Bridge, but also to its natural surroundings, especially the scenic views from the hills that feature in folk songs, spreading word of Višegrad's landmarks and beautiful nature.

It is necessary to ensure the collection and assembly of all the available material about the Bridge. This pertains to all forms of records (written, video and audio) about the Bridge as well as gathering information and legends which have not been recorded previously.

In that sense, it will be necessary to organise an action, under the auspices of the local Museum, and invite the residents of this area as well as other parts of BiH and Serbia and Montenegro who posses various objects, records or information about the Bridge which should be included in the collection of materials about the Bridge and exhibited in the Bridge Museum.

Social value:

The Bridge is an integral part of the history and everyday life of the local population, part of their

past and their present. For centuries, Višegrad has integrated the arches of the Bridge and its significance in connecting riverbanks, people and histories. In that context, the local population, in the broadest sense, that is, the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina sees the Bridge as its heritage and its treasure.

It is necessary to use this particular dimension to encourage and motivate these people to protect and preserve the Bridge and "profit" from the possibilities it provides for further development and representation of the Municipality and the country on the global tourism market. In that sense, the activation of tourism that the Bridge can provide for will steer the possible integration of the Višegrad Municipality with areas that possess monuments and cultural properties protected by the most prestigious world institution, and entered in the list of destinations pertaining to a rich cultural and historical heritage that imbues them with a specific profundity (a pedigree in terms of tourism).

It is, therefore, necessary to continue building and enforcing the value that the Bridge holds for Višegrad and its inhabitants, work on enriching the collection of artworks, written tracts and other works dedicated to the bridge. Even in the case where these works are not stored in Višegrad, organising various events and colonies attended by artists from the whole world presents and opportunity for information to be spread by way of these, so to speak, missionaries. Every organised event of this sort should be used to send written and video records about the bridge and other tourist activities in Višegrad to different destinations where they may find their way to potential visitors.

2.8. Contemporary economic and use values

The destination of the Višegrad Municipality possesses potentials that have already been verified as a real basis for the development of tourism.

It possesses considerable historical heritage related to the history of the Balkans, Europe and Asia, whose fate is intertwined with that of the Ottoman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and the course of the First World War. All these events are still an inexhaustible source of interest and motivation for travel for many visitors and tourists.

The natural potential for developing tourism pertains primarily to the medicinal water springs and

the untouched nature that can serve as a basis for creating various offers organised as part of village and ecotourism. Proof of this can be found among the indicators of the quality of water and the data on the number and structure of the plant and animal population of this area.

Activities and meetings already being organised in the Municipality (traditionally) are proof of the existence of preconditions for organising activities outside the scope of "stationary" activities. In view of the existing facilities, a "superstructure of tourism activities" can be added to them. New activities in this field can be expected in the second and third year following the approval of the Management Plan, since in the first year it will be necessary to realise a series of activities that would adequately structure existing activities and capacities.

The significance of existing activities and potentials for tourism development is derived directly from the option for future Municipal development to be aimed at sustainable development and sustainable

tourism and to prevent the renewal of "dirty industry" that would devastate the environment and the Municipality's treasures. Since this imposes limitations on the possible directions of development, it is necessary to be aggressive and consistent in the alternative direction, that is, in the development of tourism.

The destination is exceptionally valuable due to the diversity of its contents and potentials for tourism development, and due to its position relative to other parts of BiH and the region, especially in view of the proximity of potential visitors from neighbouring countries.

The development of tourism values and offers is the basis for generating income in various businesses related to tourism.

In the case of the Višegrad Municipality, these pare primarily potentials for the development and increase of supply of various services: accommodation at the local hotel and recreation centre, as well as

accommodation in private houses that would facilitate additional (or basic) income for the population. On the other hand, income can be generated and increased in local restaurants and shops, the service sector (banks, hair salons, cleaning services, local transport), as well as income for organisers of various tourist activities that are not included in the standard room and board packages: such as hunting, rafting and fishing. All of these activities are entrepreneurial in nature and should be under the jurisdiction of the local tourist agency that would organise inbound tourism, that is, ensure the offer of various activities all year round, offering the same through tourist agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia, etc. or directly to tour operators specialising in certain aspects of tourism.

Most of these activities, whether organised by entrepreneurs or with the participation of the Višegrad Municipality, will contribute to higher employment rates. If, according to the existing legal regulation, the obligation to employ a minimum of two persons (apart from the director) in small and medium enterprises and have one employee per registered independent crafts workshop is implemented, it is clear that each new enterprise will facilitate considerable new employment.

However, for a successful realisation of completion of economic impacts on tourism development, it is necessary to secure an appropriate level of public services under the jurisdiction of the Municipality, such as locations of water fountains with water for drink, public lavatories (with fees to provide for maintenance), public pay-phones, emergency medical aid, post office services, cleaning and waste disposal services, etc.

Functional value:

“The bridge in Višegrad has retained its original function as a crossing point, meeting place and public space, but the way it has been used has differed at various times in the past. Every intention to build a bridge is based on the intention to achieve its primary and basic function – to link the two banks of a river, to provide a crossing from one side to the other, to link two sections of a road, to shorten the distance covered. Over the centuries, the Višegrad Bridge has had several purposes. … Above all, it was originally a strategic structure… used by pedestrians, ox- and horse-drawn carts, combat vehicles, horsemen, merchants and the army. Wedding and funeral processions wended their way over it…. The second function of the bridge from its very completion derives from its use as a place of the greatest signif icance in the town of Višegrad. The bridge also served as town square, meeting place, an open-air coffee shop, a place to idle away the hours and for the public proclamation of official decisions, and even, at times, of verdicts. The central, wider part of the bridge, known as the kapija (gate), denoted this focus of the public life of the town…”

As returned for pedestrian, the management plan provides for it to be revived by holding summer

meeting, "Coffee on the Bridge," discussions, poetry evenings, art exhibitions on the bridge and the like. The original use of the bridge can thereby also contribute to its presentation and sustainability of use”

2.9. Appendices to part 2

For part 2 see following documentation in Annexes:

Annex I: Documentation

AI 1: Ruling no. 1099/51 issued by the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina

AI 2: Ruling no. 02-741-3 dated 18 April 1962 issued by the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina

AI 3: Decision of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments of BiH no.: 08.2-6-101/03-5

AI 4: Decision of the WMF List of the world’s 100 most endangered monuments in 2006

AI 5: List of economic and non-economic operators

AI 6: Study of climate features of the wider area of the municipality of Višegrad planned to be used for drafting the spatial and urban development plan

AI 7: Assessment of the impact of environmental elements from the Management Plan

Annex II: Maps

AII -9 Protection zone and buffer zone

AII -14 Reliability of buildings in the first protection zone

AII -15 Current use of the buildings in the first protection zone

AII -16 Height of buildings in the protection belt

Annex IV: Photo documentation

Annex IV, IVa:1 Photo of the Great Flood

Annex IV, IVa:2 Photo of the Great Flood

Annex IV, IVa:5 Photo of the damaged Bridge (The bridge after 1914)

Annex IV, IVd:1 Building 2

Annex IV, IVd:2 Building 2,3,4,5

Annex IV, IVd:3 Building 5

Annex IV, IVd:4 Building 6