MARY MOTHER OF THE CHURCH CATHEDRAL

Consecrated in 1980, this post-modern cathedral (Katedrala Marije Majke Crkve) is the seat of the Catholic diocese of Mostar-Duvno, which covers Herzegovina and Tropolje. It lies 950 m south-west of Spain Square via the Korzo, along the M6.1 national road. Fronted by a 30 m-high campanile, the concrete building was designed by Croatian architect Ivan Franić (1939-2024). Beneath the strange 22 m-high metal roof, the interior is rather warm: wood, contemporary stained glass, high ceilings. The seat of the diocese was originally located in Duvno, today's Tomislavgrad. At the end of the ^19th century, it was decided to transfer it to Mostar, where the Bosnian-Croat (Catholic) population was growing rapidly. While the bishop's new residence was completed in 1902 (opposite, above the main road), work on the cathedral was constantly postponed. After the Second World War, the Yugoslav authorities blocked the project, as the Catholic clergy had largely supported the pro-Nazi Croatian regime, guilty of numerous crimes in 1941-1945. It wasn't until 1969 that the green light was given. However, the cathedral had to remain discreet: 300 m away lies the Partisan Cemetery, where many victims of the Croatian nationalists are buried. Work began in 1974 and was completed six years later. The bell tower, damaged during the last war, was rebuilt in 2005.