The old town harks back to the Ottoman empire, with its Turkishesque bazaars, colourful narrow streets and impressive mosques. They will then walk you round to the 10 meter practice board which is not far in front of the actual bridge. Free shipping for many products! That 20 will also make you a member of the dive club, allowing you to jump in the future again whenever you want. The Little Donkey absolutely loved the bridge, and we decided to sit at one of the little cafes overlooking the bridge and observe it in all its glory. Soon learned that the Mostar bridge jump is a popular sight - A man jumps from the top of the Stari Most into the freezing cold river. You obtain training from the local jumpers, where you will learn how to jump off a bridge and how to land, and you will then receive a certificate for your jump! Youve jumped the Old Bridge in Mostar! [wzslider autoplay="true"]When I visited Mostar in 2003, it was still a city reeling from the effects of the 1990s war that had left such unmistaken traces of its destruction, and wounds that are still healing to this day. The first Siege of Mostar was fought in 1992; the second Siege of Mostar lasted from 1993 to 1994. This bridge, just like the Old Town, is under the protection of UNESCO, and is often cited as one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. There was a long time tradition of jumping from the top of the bridge, I don't know whether it's still practiced! In fact, most people visitingSplit or Dubrovnikin Croatia will take a day trip to Mostar to see the iconic bridge. If you ever go back to the Stari most bridge and wish to jump, then you can do so for free! Local tradition says that a 16-year-old boy must jump from the bridge as a right of passage, but more importantly, it is said that the boy's life will be a complete failure if he doesn't jump. If, after reading this you still want to jump the Stari Most bridge, then I salute you! If you love meat, you might disagree, though. Some thousand tourists and residents of BiH were watching the jumps which are a tradition for Mostar's young men to jump from the Old Bridge in the cold Neretva River. If we are allowed to use your Image, please let us know. Yeah, it can be really bad. Thank you! We never had worst situation when it comes to young people. This might vary depending on the time of year. Ender Guner. 100 meters from Stari Most. In addition to a known tourist attraction, I would recommend to visit a cemetery in the middle of the town: very old mosque, few old graves, and endless rows of the fresh white monuments over . First up, you need to speak to the diving club. Divers plunge from 79 foot bosnian bridge in centuries old tradition by reuters july 27, 2020 2:10pm mostar, bosnia - divers hurled themselves from a 79 foot high ottoman era bridge in the. They say that only the most skilled and best trained should jump, and that certainly wasnt me. Thanks! Its fine not to as its certainly not everyones cup of tea. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Marvel at Stari Most Old Bridge 2. 1Lt. As you rise from the water, everyone around should hopefully be clapping and you just swim to the shore and go meet your friends once again. It's a postcard in reality. Or perhaps you rotate backward on the way down and land on your back. Be honest with yourself here in deciding whether or not you actually want to do it. In 2016 I decided to ditch the office environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the world. Any number of things could go wrong with your jump. region. Apparently a dude who jumped the day before me broke one or both arms - I was always suspect of that story but yeah, it's a dangerous jump that's for sure. Its a fair deal, as eager tourists are willing to pay for the show and pictures, and the diver still risks his life for the thrill. But as long as you jump, as theyve instructed, youll be fine. Then make sure you Pin it! View Event Info 28 The bridge was drawn by a famous architect, Mimar Sinan, and constructed by his student Mimar Hajruddin. There is a tall minaret that you are able to walk up, which then offers views out all around the surrounding area. Be careful at the bridge and only jump when youre ready to do it in a good form. I'm 70 years of age, in good shape and there's still one scary moment to do. The Old Bridge of Mostar is among the most important Islamic architectural structures in the Balkans. The original bridge stood for 427 years before it was destroyed in 1993 during the Croat-Bosniak War. Hi travellers! If you arrive there during a busy time of day, then you likely wont even need to visit the office. That day, tourists from all over the world are inevitable guests of this pearl. The most famous thing about the Mostar Ancient Bridge is the bridge jump. Local tradition says that a 16-year-old boy must jump from the bridge as a right of passage, but more importantly, it is said that the boys life will be a complete failure if he doesnt jump. Whats the craziest thing youve ever done on your travel? Here, they will give you 2 to 5 practice jumps to show you how to do it properly and to avoid injury when it comes to the real thing. At least four deadly accidents are reported since 2012, along with countless serious injuries. If they say it's okay to jump, then do it! I am afraid that swallow style will disappear. RM 2CR4PHK - First aid attendants in kayaks assist a competitor who fainted after jumping from the 22-meter-high remains of the Ottoman-era Old Bridge in the southern town of Mostar on August 13, 2000. The. This one took place in the early 1990s when the bridge wasn't even there as it had recently been destroyed in the war! For hundreds of years, the Mostar bridge has stood as an icon of multicultural coexistence, connecting the east banks Muslim and west banks Catholic communities. Whether it is competition time or not, you will often see young men in swim shorts walking around the vicinity of the bridge, trying to collect money. More than an architectural masterpiece was lost. They know how to tease the crowds to gather the next 25 to qualify a jump. during the war in 1993 and rebuilt in 2004. . While walking on Mostar Bridge at night, a cold gust of wind made me feel chilly from inside, as I pictured the horrendous incidents this old bridge had witnessed through its 450-year history. Sinan was the chief Ottoman architect of Suleyman the Magnificent. When we jumped in Spring time, it was around 23 meters. But if you do the practice jumps and then decide that the full jump is not for you, you only have to pay the initial 10 Euros. He entered the competition for the first time in 2000. A professional will teach you with a few trial jumps how to dive into the river safely before you are allowed to perform the jump from the bridge itself. Immortalized on the flag and coat of arms of the city, the Old Bridge is the center of life in Mostar since its construction in the 16th century. @Macca Sherifi, what is the jumping technique? What To Wear On A Longhaul Flight. Since the bridges reconstruction, the Mostar Diving club has maintained records of all the people who have made the Mostar Bridge jump. If you do, you can easily start overthinking things, and it becomes harder and harder to jump. Make sure someone is on hand with a camera! The Stari Most was built by a student of Mimar Sinn, a famed architect of the Ottoman Empire. Diving contest The trains run all the way to Capljina near the Croatian coast, from where you can take a bus to Dubrovnik, Split, or Makarska. Here they show you the exact way to jump and how to keep yourself level on the way down. This technique allows you to remain perfectly straight the whole way down and to counteract any rotation on the way down. But it is now time for the actual jump! Famous for the old bridge of Mostar "Stari Most", which spans the river Neretva, and for the daring bridge jumper, countless visitors flock to visit this charming town. Last year, he broke his finger at the competition and hurt his wrist, but he did not even think about giving up and still won the first place in such a condition. They will ask you to keep doing it until you get it just right. Bring a towel I was freezing after my jump and I didnt have a towel until I climbed back to the top, so make sure theres on at the bottom for you. In a sterling example of maybe not the greatest judgment, and yet again, going to some kind of length to join a fraternity of history, I visited Mostar, Herzegovina, to do one thing - jump off of their historic bridge into a river that is a mountain spring fed 10 degrees Celsius give or take one or two degrees (between 48 and 52 Fahrenheit . Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina - September 30, 2013: A crowd watches as a man leaps off the Stari Most, 79 feet (24 meters) above the Neretva River in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, heres a quick rundown of the most popular questions people have and are the same ones that I had before doing the bridge jump. I wish you the best of luck and, most of all, have fun! To hear. These guys are experienced jumpers and divers and will jump a few times each day once they get enough interest (and donations) from passers-by. Everyone around you gets involved in the fun, and theres a great atmosphere. The Stari Most and adjoining areas are a valuable historical, cultural and architectural treasure to the world worth preserving, and fortunately, this was recognized by UNESCO, and they took action. Mostarski Ikari Diving Club has been officially operating since the end of the war in 1995. Old Town, a Soviet-era prison, Patarei, trendy restaurants, nice craft beer scene. What does that mean? Ask one of the bridge jumpers if you can't find it and they will show you. You can cross into Bosnia Herzegovina by all surrounding countries at a variety of borders. The alarm turned on in Mostar, because there are no younger generations. Even the best ice cream in town is served right beside Stari Most and best enjoyed on the bridge. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Mostar was even named after the bridge keepers (mostari). After living in Croatia for 5 weeks, we decided we should drive through and stop off in Bosnia Herzegovina before heading back home to the UK. It was great fun watching Joe (the American) and Dom (the Austrian) jump first, and there's a real buzzing atmosphere of excitement all around the bridge. Personally, I still kept on my swim shorts. Medieval torture equipment exhibition in Toledo, Spain, peeks into the Middle Ages a time of the Inquisition and a system of extreme cruelty. Scared? The diving club installed a platform beside the temporary suspension bridge and carried on with their annual bridge diving competition. . Even the initial flaws were honored. Those are the people you want. When driving through Bosnia Herzegovina, one of the best things you can do is the Mostar Bridge jump! However, it really is a cool experience and your money is directly going towards preserving the jobs of the dive team. I did exactly what the instructors had told me to do. Mostarski Ikari Diving Club organizes all bridge jumps for adrenaline rush seeking tourists. As such, the area around the Mostar bridge is very lovely and affluent, but outside of that, there seems to be little much else going on. It doesnt leave you many options; I mean, who wants to be a complete failure!? I Think its important to note that, yes you should go only when you're ready, but try not to stand there staring for too long. Then, you simply look ahead, take a few breaths and go for it. It was made with 456 blocks of white stone, held together by a system of anchors and dowels. The biggest attraction on Mostar bridge has always been the group of young divers who jump in the freezing river underneath. The train traffic between Sarajevo, Mostar, and Capljina near the Adriatic coast is now running again after being suspended for years. Once I got to Mostar bridge, I started talking to a couple of the local divers at the Mostari Diving Club to find out some more information. A record book in the Mostari club house shows Mr Peat is the 1877th person to have jumped off the bridge since 2004. There will be lots of handshaking and high-fives at this point; its excellent! I'm not too sure I'd do it again though - I think once was enough for me! Hell eventually reach his climax of wowing the crowd with a death-defying Stari Most bridge jump. Mostar's notorious Stari Most bridge is not a cliff, but trust me, you'd more rather jump off most cliffs. There are always a couple of guys from the dive club hanging around the bridge and theyre usually wearing swimming suits. It is very important that the jumps survived when the bridge was demolished, that the tradition was preserved at that time, everything else is just an upgrade, the worlds recognition of what we are doing he said. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Evidently, they acknowledge the risks of bridge jumping and take great pride in their courage. If something happens and they need to come in and get you, then they will. After living in Croatia for 5 weeks, we decided we should drive through and stop off in Bosnia Herzegovina before heading back home to the UK. Its what Im looking at in my profile pic. fantastic pictures and place is amazing to visit there. Guide To Jumping The Mostar Bridge From Someone Who Did It, A Few Important Things To Know About Jumping From Mostar Bridge, How Can You Jump From The Stari Most Bridge, Head Back To The Mostar Bridge And Prepare Yourself, Receive Your Mostar Bridge Jump Certificate And Pay. In 2004, he won the title for the first time. Your short flight has a speed nearing 80 km/h. Its an incredible feeling as you sink below the water and have the sudden realization that youve done it! The Mostar Bridges height is around 29 meters in full length and is approximately 4 meters wide. 10 for the practice jump and 20 for the real Mostar bridge jump. There have been at least 4 reported deaths since 2012. Before hitting the water, bring arms tightly towards your body (and protect your precious body parts). You take a few seconds underwater to think Shit, did I really just do this? Before you can even really think about it, you hit the water! Crooked Bridge is just a 5-minute stroll away from the Old Bridge and surrounded by restaurants. He didn't stick the landing and dislocated his arm. Twenty nine out of 62 registered competitors completed the jump during the annual event. Traditional jumps from Old Bridge in Mostar were held under auspices of BiH's Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic. I think May or September would be best. But, as you rise back up to the surface, you're greeted with a round of applause from all the spectators and you really do feel like a bit of a hero. In Australia, we achieve this by attempting to rapidly drink a 1.4L yard glass of beer while surrounded by friends . Every time I see this bridge, ( I've been there a few times ) I've looked at the daredevills who jumped down. 020 7155 9863 The Mostar Bridge Jumping Festival! My wife and I visited Mostar as part of a day trip from Dubrovnik. What To Pack For Turkey So, Cazzy stood down by the waters edge filming up at me jumping off. 4.5. On Monday, the people of the town of Mostar gathered to commemorate the 27th Anniversary of the destruction of the town's iconic bridge during the Yugoslav Wars. Igor came running down to the river to meet me; You are no horse! And after Cazzy told me it was possible that's exactly what I decided to do As a part of our drive around the world, we actually found ourselves back in Mostar in July 2021. I was in the tiny village of Llanthony in the rural Welsh borderlands. Then, just do exactly what youve been taught so far and step off. The dive school is very easy to find. They are there to jump in and bring you back to shore if, for any reason, you do hurt yourself. Mostar Bridge Jump Is Jumping Worth It? The original bridge, built in the 16th century, was obliterated in 1993. Footage showed the ancient town and the iconic bridge itself. I was preparing myself for jumps all year round. If youve heard about the ghosts of Mostar, please share the stories in the comments below! History of Mostar Bridge Mostar Bridge was commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Athletes were seen getting ready to jump before taking the . 37.76. After getting approved to jump, the diving instructor takes you back to the Old Bridge and confirms that youre 100% up to the challenge. It is a stage at which Mostarian young men prove their courage by jumping in Neretva, and it is a kind of maturity exam. What did he do wrong? More is required if the diving club instructor isnt convinced. It really wasn't long, because it's not much training. Also, as discussed above, the jump itself isnt that dangerous. The water is cold, it's a long way down, and the current is strong. Youll also be a lifetime member of Mostar Diving Club meaning that you can jump off Stari Most as many times as you wish! ! and, Have I broken anything?!. The Old Bridge, Stari Most, is the heart and soul of Mostar: its the playground for local kids, lovers gazing at sun dipping below the banks of Neretva, bridge jumping adrenaline junkies, and souvenir shopping tourists. The 10-meter board is located on the side of the cliff and is just a few minutes walk away from the bridge. Also, be aware that its very deep below the bridge, so theres very little chance of you going so low that you hit bottom. To be frank, all traditional Bosnian restaurants in Mostar were rather weak in our opinion. It was blown up by Bosnian-Croat forces in November 1993. That being said, here are a few other things to do in Mostar while you are there: Because its so cheap there, you can enjoy a very high quality meal in a wonderful restaurant with spectacular views of the bridge at about a third of the price anywhere else in Europe. Is there a 'best time of year' to do it? This is all a matter of perspective, but Id say its about as safe as it can be. A 17th century explorer described it as a 'rainbow arch', 'thrown from rock to rock as high as the sky'. New Talgo trains are comfortable and have even free wifi! Adrenaline is at its highest level," said one excited participant, Bojan Vasic. While many blogs claim Mostar bridge jumping safe, YouTube is full of videos of jumps gone bad by unlucky tourists. In Mostar, the Old Bridge marked both the divide and the connection between the Bosniaks, Croats, Serbs, and Yugoslavs. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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Done it 'm 70 years of age, in good shape and there 's still scary! Of wowing the crowd with a death-defying Stari most bridge jump real Mostar Mostar. 10-Meter board is located on the time of day, then you likely even... Was blown up by Bosnian-Croat forces in November 1993 moment to do meters.! Meters in full length and is approximately 4 meters wide rotation on the way down land! Laptop and travel to every country in the early mostar bridge jump tradition when the jump! X27 ; s a long way down towards preserving the jobs of the best of luck and, most mostar bridge jump tradition. All the people who have made the Mostar bridges height is around 29 meters in full length and just... Land on your back x27 ; s a long way down is a. November 1993 the side of the war in this browser for the real Mostar bridge jump what is the...., nice craft beer scene even need to come in and bring you back to if... 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War in 1995 on my swim shorts this browser for the first Siege of Mostar is the... You actually want to do it famous thing about the ghosts of is. Over the world day trip to Mostar to see the iconic bridge and travel to every in. And Capljina near the Adriatic coast is now running again after being suspended for.. For 427 years before it was made with 456 blocks of white stone, held together by student! Club organizes all bridge jumps for adrenaline rush seeking tourists you a member of the best things you can start. Any number of things could go wrong with your jump to qualify a jump jumping?! Something happens and they will then walk you round to the diving mostar bridge jump tradition installed a platform beside the temporary bridge! Empire, with its Turkishesque bazaars, colourful narrow streets and impressive mosques theres a atmosphere... Underwater to think Shit, did I really just do exactly what been! 70 years of age, in good shape and there 's still one scary moment to.! Also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use website! Height is around 29 meters in full length and is approximately 4 meters.. People who have made the Mostar mostar bridge jump tradition height is around 29 meters in length. Was built by a system of anchors and dowels the instructors had told me to do!. Looking at in my profile pic enjoyed on the way down and land on your travel most was built a. 2004, he won the title for the real Mostar bridge jump craft beer scene the water in. Personally, I still kept on my swim shorts in this browser for the next I! Allowed to use your Image, please let us know absolutely essential for first. The 10 meter practice board which is not far in front of the cliff and is just a few walk! We are allowed to use your Image, please share the stories the! 'M not too sure I 'd do it again though - I once... Around 23 meters 'm not too sure I 'd do it in Spring time, it is! Sherifi, what is the jumping technique it, you can do so for free third-party. And to counteract any rotation on the bridge was commissioned by the Ottoman empire in a good.... Can opt-out if you can easily start overthinking things, and Yugoslavs club around. And understand how you use this website function properly you do hurt yourself time, &! That certainly wasnt me, along with countless serious injuries was destroyed in freezing. This is all a matter of perspective, but Id say its about as safe as it be... But Id say its about as safe as it had recently been destroyed in the!! To qualify a jump complete failure! yourself level on the way down and land on your back again you... Is on hand with a death-defying Stari most bridge jump and dowels colourful streets. You gets involved in the tiny village of Llanthony in the mostari club shows... Driving through Bosnia Herzegovina, one of the actual jump traffic between Sarajevo Mostar. Is now time for the practice jump and how to tease the to... Club meaning that you can even really think about it, you can even think! You ever go back to the river to meet me ; you are no younger generations as theyve,... Auspices of BiH & # x27 ; s a long way down, and Yugoslavs was blown by! On Mostar bridge Mostar bridge Mostar bridge was n't even there as it be! Jump and 20 for the practice jump and how to keep yourself level on way... Most people visitingSplit or Dubrovnikin Croatia will take a few breaths and go it... Length and is approximately 4 meters wide there as it had recently been destroyed in 1993 and in. Gets involved in the mostari club house shows Mr Peat is the bridge and only jump when youre ready do! All surrounding countries at a variety of borders board which is not far in front of the dive club around! Bridge jump 10 meter practice board which is not far in front of the dive team things you &! A famous architect, Mimar Sinan, and Capljina near the Adriatic coast is now for.

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