We often hear stories about war-torn countries struggling to rebuild, or in some cases create, a tourist base after years of conflict. I have only limited experience traveling in such regions but I have found that what’s left after the fighting can make for an interesting and informative travel trip.

I’ve been thinking recently about a journey I took a few years ago to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city saw intense fighting during Yugoslavia’s civil war and witnessed much destruction to its people, infrastructure and heritage.

Mostar is famous for its Ottoman bridge which stood for more than 400 years before it was destroyed in the Balkan war. While many buildings in Mostar still show the wounds of war, the bridge has been rebuilt.

My Mostar trip was one of my earliest travels into a region that had only recently experienced armed conflict. At first I was uncomfortable, especially with the ever-present signs of war, but that unease quickly disappeared and was replaced with a fascination at the city’s resilience and recovery.

Standing at bridge’s peak, tourists are surrounded by evidence of the physical toll war can levy on a city. Buildings wear the pockmark wounds of machine gun fire. The ancient bridge that carries today’s tourists across the river laid in ruins in the waters below. While the brick and mortar damage is extensive, it must pale in comparison to the unimaginable human tragedy suffered by the people who call Mostar home.

Take a look at a Mostar article I put together for The Oklahoman following my trip.