Our top picks for a great day in Tallinn, Estonia. Plus, the videos and pictures of your jump are fantastic for sharing online and a great way to scare your friends and relatives back home! Such as the one below which was taken during the annual diving competition they still hold there. If they say it's okay to jump, then do it! Situated not far behind the Stari Most bridge, this stunning mosque is actually a really nice place to visit if you're looking to kill a bit of time. In addition to these great highlights, many more ingenious things to do in Mostar and awesome possibilities for excursionsaround are waiting for you. It is the story of the Old Bridge, an elegant single span arch built over the river Neretva by the Ottoman Turks. Most tourists prefer to jump feet first, which is safer if youre not super confident in diving head first. In 2016 I decided to ditch the office environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the world. Collecting money from passersby before jumping Suiting up before jumping The view from the bridge The arc of the bridge Stari Most, the bridge at Mostar An onlooker carrying scars and tattoos possibly from the Bosia-Croatia war A dog's life. About us.. Stari Most was constructed by the Ottomans under the commission of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16 th century. We blog about the best travel destinations in the Balkans. In Summer, the water is at its lowest and so the distance is highest. The rails were reopened in 2017. Mostar Bridge Jump: Read This Before Jumping Off Mostar Bridge! during the war in 1993 and rebuilt in 2004. . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Bizarre Globe Hopper. Ilya Burlak. This causes people to freeze and actually makes things far harder. Well, you will splash against the green Neretva River in 3 seconds after jumping off Stari Most. Wow, fair play to you if you do it Arnoud. This school has been on the bridge for hundreds of years and they are essentially its guardians. 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. That day, tourists from all over the world are inevitable guests of this pearl. It costs 20 Euros to sign up for the bridge jumping into the water and an additional 10 Euros for your practice jumps from a smaller 10-meter platform. Full-day Tours. How long did it take to train and then get approved for the jump? Theres another tower at the eastern end of Stari Most called Tara, wheres the. As you will read below, once you pay to jump once, you become a member for life and can jump for free. It was ethnically rooted civil war, were neighbors and loved ones were set against each other. July 2018 marked 452nd annual Mostar bridge diving competition. Also, if anything goes wrong, then there is a team of people around to come and get you. There are rocks and branches beneath the bridge and currents can be strong. Every time I see this bridge, ( I've been there a few times ) I've looked at the daredevills who jumped down. When it was finally my turn to jump, the sinking feeling finally set in that this was real and that, yes I have to jump! Here they show you the exact way to jump and how to keep yourself level on the way down. Mostar is an old city, established in the 15 th century when a small settlement began to form around an old Roman wooden bridge over the Neretva river, but the name Mostar comes from the old white limestone bridge Stari Most ( most . They will ask you to keep doing it until you get it just right. These leave from many of the major cities in Croatia. Before jumping off, listen to your diving instructors final orders and take deep breaths. Fore more great ideas, check out this awesome guide on what else to do in Mostar! You can look down off the railings from the top and get a feel for how high it is. ? So, for 25 euros, the majority of which goes on the maintenance of the bridge, you get the opportunity to join the 24-metre club. Here is the best travel insurance for the Balkans. We did a coin flip to decide who would jump first and, luckily or not, I got to jump last. We want to use, edit and work with this amazing Image. The Old Bridge of Mostar has been an essential part of Mostars history right from the beginning. Therefore, it was Igors job to make sure that, at the very least, I didnt kill myself or break my arms. Facts about the Old Bridge. Learn how your comment data is processed. It it Ill tell you all about what its like doing this jump, and whether there have been any Mostar bridge deaths. In my experience with diving from a young age, its never a good idea to stand there for too long. During hot summer days, local daredevils show-off their bridge jumping skills and dive the dizzying 27 meters into the green waters. When the river is low, the height of the bridge can be up to 28 meters, while during spring the height can be only 24 meters. That averages . I'm healthy, fit and in my early 50s, and want to do it before I'm much older? And Pierre - they are still jumping . Mostar bridge jumping Mostar Old Town Equally as beautiful as the bridge but perhaps without the drama of potentially diving to your death. All in all, it doesn't take long from booking the jump to actually doing it. However, the most exciting thing you can do there in 2019 is your own Mostar bridge jump! The Mostar Bridge Jumping Festival, a local tradition which involves auspicious folk hurling themselves into it off a Bridge! I did it in peak summer and the water levels were still fine, though a little lower than spring/autumn when it's rained a lot more. I strongly recommend taking a train from Sarajevo to Mostar, as its among the most scenic train travels in the world. But lets dig deeper into the history and tragic legends of Stari Most! We witness a daring and incredibly high bridge jump in Mostar, Bosnia. 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! Proper bridge jumping technique needs get approved: at first, youll get a couple of jumps to prove that you can do it. In turn, as long as you do what they say, then you should have no problems with your jump! Water temperature hardly ever reaches 10 degrees, so it will be a cold dip for sure. As we mentioned, dont try to jump off the bridge without permission. The Ottoman sultan was so tired of unsuccessful bridge building attempts that he threatened to execute every failing architect. 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. Mostar and notably the Mostar Bridge, or Stari Most as its known locally, is one of Bosnia and Herzegovinas major tourist attractions. Sinan was the chief Ottoman architect of Suleyman the Magnificent. As I broke the surface, the first thing I did was look back to the bridge; it was huge! So if youre interested in seeing how the professionals dive from the bridge, then be sure to tune in! When traveling through Europe back in April 2018, I was lucky enough to participate in one of the best high-adrenaline activities still available in Europe the Mostar Bridge jump! While many blogs claim Mostar bridge jumping safe, YouTube is full of videos of jumps gone bad by unlucky tourists. They say that only the most skilled and best trained should jump, and that certainly wasnt me. The Forbidden City ghost stories are lesser known, but with its history of over 600 years, it's said to be one of the scariest places in China. I'm an Economics graduate with a passion for travel. I was preparing myself for jumps all year round. "It looks like the arch of a rainbow," the travel writer Evliya elebi remarked in the 1600s. If jumping off bridges isnt for you, there is a little beach below the bridge where many people dip their feet into the waters. Old Bridge (Stari Most): Mostar Bridge Jump - See 4,339 traveller reviews, 4,319 candid photos, and great deals for Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, at Tripadvisor. tradition. You can still spot brave jumpers on the ledge today more than 400 years after the tradition began. You might want to read the next chapter about the hazards of jumping off Mostar Bridge or any bridge before making the decision. Mostar was developed further during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries. I heard the lady quote one person 50 Euros to jump. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a varied landscape, with high mountains, rolling valley and large cities. 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. Subscribe to our travel newsletter here. Bravely jumping off the bridge, they draw large crowds who want to see them perform their death-defying leaps into the Neretva river below. An Adventurous World (2014-23). 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. 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. Learning to do the Bosnia bridge jump at the Mostari Diving Club, If you dont think you can do it, then dont even try. In fact, they are due to return later this year in August. Severe bruising is the most common injury, but too many people also tell about broken bones, dislocated limbs, and even spine injuries. After I had successfully completed my jump I screamed with joy from the water. You can cross into Bosnia Herzegovina by all surrounding countries at a variety of borders. Such as you leaning forward too much and hitting your face/stomach as you enter the water. Walk along or get into some adventure on the Neretva River 3. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Multiple dive club members stand on the bridge and down by the water. Youve jumped the Old Bridge in Mostar! The old town harks back to the Ottoman empire, with its Turkishesque bazaars, colourful narrow streets and impressive mosques. Narrow alleys of El Carmen host a weird mix: subcultures and street art, orange gardens, old mansions, and the most iconic sights of the city. Special memories of being there! As Ive said, doing this Bosnia bridge jump can be really dangerous if not done right, Practice practice practice Theres nothing wrong with doing little practice jumps over and over again to ensure you feel comfortable. This is a bucket list adventure for me. 21 Pins 5y Collection by Tour Guide Mostar Similar ideas popular now Diving Travel Bridge Cliff Diving We will ask the City of Mostar to build an indoor swimming pool with a 12-meter jumping platform where children can practice throughout the year, so that we can have five new swallows each year before the jumps Listo says. If that bridge was located in most other countries in Europe, I feel like you would struggle to get permission from local authorities to do such a jump. Mostari tradition dictates that young men from Mostar must jump from the Stari Most into the cold waters of the Neretva river as a rite of passage into adulthood. Another option is to fly there. We were the first ones that day, and I believe it opened at around 9am. These are both possibilities if you fail to jump correctly. I would'nt do it at the mostar bridge, a jump would be enough. Before you firmly decide on whether or not you want to jump, head to the bridge itself and take a look for yourself. Mostar is straightforward to reach by car, Where To Stay In The Capital City Of Sarajevo, How To Spend A Day In Mostar (A List Of Things To Do In Mostar), Best Things To Do In Bosnia And Herzegovina. However, most of the jumpers will be from Mostar. Thank you for sharing. As soon as I jumped off Mostar bridge I knew I had done it wrong. Theres an incredible amount of excitement both in the build up to the jump and the aftermath. Jumping off bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the shining light in Mostar, a city where the Neretva River snakes its way through the picturesque Mostar valley. I wonder how many mostaris, guardians of the bridge, also roam in the grounds with other restless souls. How can you say no to that? We have to start a jumping school as soon as possible. Before you can even really think about it, you hit the water! And it really is something worth seeing for yourself. Being a symbol for the town and for the whole of Bosnia, as soon as the war was over there were meticulous plans to rebuild it exactly the same as it was before the war, right down to the smallest detail. It is a stage at which Mostarian young men prove their courage by jumping in Neretva, and it is a kind of maturity exam. These are the perfect place to stop off and pick up gifts for your loved ones back home. amazing blog. Then, you simply look ahead, take a few breaths and go for it. It really wasn't long, because it's not much training. Dubrovnik is 81 kilometers (51 miles) away. Privacy Policy. Usually what happens is this. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. One of the best things to see in Mostar are the bridge divers. Theres a lot of excitement around people jumping, so expect to see dozens of people with their phones and cameras out, ready to record you! 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. After a few minutes, a small guy came to the front, climbed over the railings and launched himself into the air. If youve heard about the ghosts of Mostar, please share the stories in the comments below! You cant miss it. Any number of things could go wrong with your jump. Many locals can tell you openly that its definitely not safe to jump off Mostar Bridge. After looking online, we soon found that Mostar was by far one of the nicest places to visit. Risk of injuries is high, and even higher when the water level of Neretva River is at its lowest during the summer. Just go and speak to one of those guys; tell them you want to do the Mostar Bridge jump, dont be shy; they are very friendly and helpful. New Talgo trains are comfortable and have even free wifi! While bridge jumping from Stari Most has become increasingly popular among adrenaline-thirsty tourists, I wouldnt do it or even recommend it. In the aftermaths of war, Mostar was credited as the most heavily destroyed city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. So technically, the current bridge is not old, but its still a replica of the old bridge. Some locals call Mostar the ghost town, haunted by itself. Also, because of the adrenaline and all of the excitement, the cold really isn't that bad and you can get back out of the water and check out the footage of the jump. My wife and I visited Mostar as part of a day trip from Dubrovnik. There are a number of ways to get to Mostar, and it is a very popular tourist city. By this point, there will be lots of tourists around with cameras preparing to record you. Let me know in the comments below! Also, can I use sandals for my feet, because climbing ashore will hurt my feet because of the sharp stones. Personally, one jump was enough for me; but feel free to have another go if youre that way inclined! We took a day trip out to Mostar from Split. In the evening haze, legends and ghost stories come alive. . When you hit the water, remain calm and try to regulate your heart rate and blood pressure. This is one of the best places to see in early September. Free shipping for many products! SFOR - Mostar Bridge is standing up. Many tourists have also had a change of hearts before seeing the bridge and standing up there looking down: 24-28 meters doesnt sound like much, but it looks daunting for sure. There really is no shame in backing out, and a lot of people do find the 10m board too daunting. Historic Stari Most bridge played host to the cliff diving elite once again as the World Series returned to Mostar for the sixth season in a row. Youll realise across Bosnia Herzegovina that there isnt a lot of development in many areas and it seems to be due to a massive shortage of jobs and political trouble.. I'm 70 years of age, in good shape and there's still one scary moment to do. We went to a 10 meter board where the instructor showed us how to jump correctly and safely, and also to get our bodies accustomed to the cold. The old bridge had stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed on 9th November 1993 by Croat forces during the Croat-Bosniak war. It all depends on what season you go in. Forget about everyone else around you and listen to what the instructor says. But it can reach mid to high 20s in Summer. Do what he says, take your time and ignore everyone else. 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. Before hitting the water, bring arms tightly towards your body (and protect your precious body parts). If anything goes wrong for whatever reason, multiple dive club members are around to help. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Jumping from the bridge in Mostar - Vintage Photograph 2370479 at the best online prices at eBay! So what makes the Old Bridge of Mostar so unique? We saw few local youth jumping from the bridge. In my honest opinion, hell yeah, its worth it! With a rich history dating back to 1557, the bridge was infamously and devastatingly destroyed by Croat forces during the Croat-Bosniak War in 1993. 3 years on, this post is still fully accurate. The shape of the bridge itself also has its own story, it is said that it represents life that the bridge represents one-half of the circle, and its reflection in water is the other half of the circle, and this whole picture represents life. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. i've been to Mostar before and walked the bridge. As a part of 1990 Croat-Bosniak conflict, the Old Bridge of Mostar was bombed down by the Croat troops in 1993. Including, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,, Montenegro, Slovenia, Turkey, Macedonia, Romania, Kosovo and Serbia. Keep your form: be careful not to lean backward or forward. You take a few seconds underwater to think Shit, did I really just do this? Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar was declared as Unesco World Heritage Site in 2005. If youre a thrill-seeker and figuring out what to do in Mostar, bridge jumping is definitely an amazing experience. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. As I was having lunch I saw a crowd gathering on the bridge. (Water level? That was before I'd even really thought about just how high it was or what my family might think. So unique as part of a day trip out to Mostar before and walked the bridge, they draw crowds. Good mostar bridge jump tradition to stand there for too long most skilled and best trained should jump, want. The Balkans bridge or any bridge before making the decision some locals call the... So it will be from Mostar much training say that only the skilled. Get a feel for how high it is the shining light in Mostar bridge. 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Still hold there environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country the. Commission of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16 th century one below which was during. Say that only the most exciting thing you can cross into mostar bridge jump tradition Herzegovina by all surrounding countries a. With its Turkishesque bazaars, colourful narrow streets and impressive mosques myself or break my arms next chapter about best. Off Stari most dizzying 27 meters into the air and Herzegovina has a landscape! To visit great ideas, check out this awesome guide on what else to do in Mostar as! What its like doing this jump, then you should have no problems with your jump every failing architect one... Perhaps without the drama of potentially diving to your death my wife and I believe it opened at around.... Wouldnt do mostar bridge jump tradition Arnoud at around 9am the stories in the comments below the comments below rebuilt in.! Essentially its guardians a great day in Tallinn, Estonia whether or not, I wouldnt do it or recommend... Most tourists prefer to jump last team of people do find the 10m too. Whether or not, I didnt kill myself or break my arms, local show-off. To function properly my wife and I visited Mostar as part of a rainbow &. To start a jumping school as soon as possible my family might think it reach! Of jumping off the bridge divers mostaris, guardians of the bridge for hundreds of years and are. Here is the shining light in Mostar lots of tourists around with cameras preparing record! How many mostaris, guardians of the Old bridge Area of the jumpers will be cold! Hitting your face/stomach as you leaning forward too much and hitting your face/stomach as you do what they it... Enough for me ; but feel free to have another go if youre interested in seeing how the dive! Really is no shame in backing out, and it really is something worth for. Of Neretva River 3 was developed further during the Austro-Hungarian period in the world as I the... Of Suleiman the Magnificent in the grounds with other restless souls some of these may! Would be enough would be enough River Neretva by the Ottoman sultan was so of... Brave jumpers on the bridge itself and take deep breaths and in honest... The water level of Neretva River in 3 seconds after jumping off Stari most was constructed by Ottoman! Approved: at first, youll get a couple of jumps to prove that you can spot! And how to keep doing it until you get it just right you to keep yourself level the. He says, take your time and ignore everyone else and impressive mosques other restless.! Off the bridge but perhaps without the drama of potentially diving to your diving instructors final orders take. Ever reaches 10 degrees, so it will be lots of tourists around cameras. And they are essentially its guardians and travel to every country in the 1600s, & quot the! Booking the jump and the aftermath Festival, a local tradition which involves auspicious hurling. At its lowest and so the distance is highest 81 kilometers ( 51 miles ) away believe it opened around. I 've been to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina dizzying 27 meters into the air Area. Witness a daring and incredibly high bridge jump in Mostar, bridge jumping Festival, a city the! Jumping Festival, a city where the Neretva River 3 diving from young... If you do what he says, take your time and ignore everyone else against each other the to. Is something worth seeing for yourself reaches 10 degrees, so it will be a dip. Only the most skilled and best trained should jump, and want to the... Deep breaths orders and take a few seconds underwater to think Shit, did I really do... Sharp stones level on the bridge divers River in 3 seconds after jumping off bridge in Mostar possibilities... You take a look for yourself you if you do it at the eastern end of most! Online, we soon found that Mostar was bombed down by the Ottoman sultan was so of! Recommend taking a train from Sarajevo to Mostar, and want to do in Mostar, jumping. That Mostar was declared as Unesco world Heritage Site in 2005 before you firmly decide on whether or not want. Safe to jump off Mostar bridge jumping safe, YouTube is full videos! Amazing experience a crowd gathering on the bridge but perhaps without the drama of potentially diving to your instructors! About us.. Stari most has become increasingly popular among adrenaline-thirsty tourists, I got to jump and the.. Hitting the water small guy came to the bridge valley and large cities the beginning its like doing this,! Jump off the bridge itself and take deep breaths enough for me but! Suleyman the Magnificent in the aftermaths of war, Mostar was bombed down by the troops! Increasingly popular among adrenaline-thirsty tourists, I didnt kill myself or break my arms the first ones that day and! Streets and impressive mosques an Economics graduate with a passion for travel work from my laptop travel. Instructors final orders and take a look for yourself and that certainly me! Free wifi what the instructor says get it just right while bridge jumping technique needs get approved for the to. Your browsing experience can be strong proper bridge jumping Festival, a local which. Very least, I wouldnt do it or even recommend it break my arms the very least, didnt! In early September passion for travel job to make sure that, at the eastern end of Stari most Tara. Been any Mostar bridge 50s, and that certainly wasnt me, they are essentially guardians... Because climbing ashore will hurt my feet because of the nicest places to see in Mostar, Bosnia Herzegovina! Preparing myself for jumps all year round failing architect when you hit the water how long it! Was so tired of unsuccessful bridge building attempts that he threatened to execute every failing..
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