Stari

Stari is a Slavic adjective meaning old. In the toponymy of South Slavic languages, it is widely used as a component of place names to indicate historic older parts of a city or district. The form is gendered in grammar, with Stari (masculine), Stara (feminine), and Staro (neuter), and it commonly appears in combination with nouns like Grad (city) to produce phrases such as Stari Grad.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the Proto-Slavic root *starъ, meaning old. As a descriptive element in place names, it signals the historic core or early settlement area of a locality. Because it is part of many multi-word names across Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and neighboring regions, it is encountered in both municipal and commonly referred to districts and towns.

Notable instances: In Serbia, Stari Grad is a central municipality of Belgrade, encompassing historic neighborhoods and cultural landmarks. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Stari Grad refers to a municipality in Sarajevo, marking the city’s old-town area. In Croatia, Stari Grad is a town on the island of Hvar, known for its ancient history and preserved town core. The recurring use of Stari in these names reflects a broader toponymic pattern in the region, where many cities designate their oldest part as the “Old Town.”

See also: Old Town.