Still up to it and ready to leap? A Friend and I would like to use the following picture for our own Art. Some locals call Mostar the ghost town, haunted by itself. It's only 23 metres high, think you can handle it? 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. Once youve spoken to the team and decided you definitely want to jump, they will give you a wetsuit and take you out for a few practice jumps. This school has been on the bridge for hundreds of years and they are essentially its guardians. Driving from Dubrovnik takes around 2,5 hours, while the bus takes around 3,5 hours. OK, now weve covered a few basic concerns; lets get onto the juicy bits, how you go about jumping the Stari Most. At least four deadly accidents are reported since 2012, along with countless serious injuries. In 2016 I decided to ditch the office environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the world. Any thoughts on that? The water is cold, it's a long way down, and the current is strong. This technique allows you to remain perfectly straight the whole way down and to counteract any rotation on the way down. 4.5. The answer to this question will never be, yes, it is 100% safe!. A 17th century explorer described it as a 'rainbow arch', 'thrown from rock to rock as high as the sky'. First up, you need to speak to the diving club. The best traditional restaurant in Mostar according to our inspection is FoodHouse on the western bank of Neretva, appr. Afterwards, Ill answer a few of the most common questions (most of which I had myself). ! and, Have I broken anything?!. Something went wrong while submitting the form. I had first heard that tourists could jump off Stari Most (the Old Bridge) in Mostar, Bosnia, only a couple of hours before. This might sound like a lot just for a jump. What they usually do is jump for the tourists, but every now and then a foreigner comes along who is stupid enough to want to jump themselves. Then make sure you Pin it! More than an architectural masterpiece was lost. This causes people to freeze and actually makes things far harder. As I broke the surface, the first thing I did was look back to the bridge; it was huge! Would you ever be as stupid as me and jump off the bridge at Mostar? The history of the battles that raged in the area is also of interest. Footage showed the ancient town and the iconic bridge itself. Check out the view from the Koski Mehmed Paa Mosque 6. Since that time, the bridge was rebuilt in 2004 and today, serves as the main tourist attraction in Mostar. That 20 will also make you a member of the dive club, allowing you to jump in the future again whenever you want. But questions I have know. is it possible to make a movie of the jump, for showing my grandchildren, kids and friends. Things to do in Mostar; Old Town They will tell you to be calm and go whenever youre ready. So, what else could I do? We didnt do this unfortunately, but apparently you can kayak down the river. Mostar's notorious Stari Most bridge is not a cliff, but trust me, you'd more rather jump off most cliffs. You can jump off the Mostar Old Bridge with permission of the Dive Club to the right of the bridge. The guy had cojones. I'm healthy, fit and in my early 50s, and want to do it before I'm much older? Plum Fair in Gradaac from 23 to 27 of August: More Bosnia and Herzegovina records economic growth:Tourism is an increasingly important sector Damir Roajac, confectionery virtuoso, world champion and Vacks judge: He thrilled Zaim Merdan, one of the most famous names of BH culinary Bosnian woman on the MasterChef Slovenia team: Alma Reki teaches Slovenians Baarija: Historical and Cultural Center of Sarajevo, Pannonian lakes in Tuzla better and more accessible than ever. History of Mostar Bridge Mostar Bridge was commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557. So technically, the current bridge is not old, but its still a replica of the old bridge. Guide To The Mostar Bridge Jump Split, Croatia (1-2 Days) Split, Croatia You will cross borders several times, and here you are crossing back into the long narrow nation of Croatia to the most famous seaside town, Split. 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. The bridge was originally a wooden bridge but around 1557 Suleiman the Magnificent ordered constructions so the old bridge would be replaced with a stone bridge by the architectural work of Mimar Hayruddin. I dont know how she expected me to react, however, if she knows me at all, then she should have predicted my immediate reaction . If youre a thrill-seeker and figuring out what to do in Mostar, bridge jumping is definitely an amazing experience. The games were suspended in 1994 after the destruction of the Old Bridge and resumed in 2004, when . Then, each candidate must practice safe jumping at a 10-meter high training platform downstream from Stari Most. According to history books, the first person jumped off Mostar bridge already in 1664. 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! Do what he says, take your time and ignore everyone else. Mostar was named after the bridge keepers who guarded the Stari Most in the medieval times. After all, jumping of Mostar Bridge is a 450-year old tradition. 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! Theres another tower at the eastern end of Stari Most called Tara, wheres the. But if you want to do the jump yourself, well, heres everything I learned from my experience. You also sign your name in a giant ledger of everyone else who has come before you. 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! We managed to preserve the tradition and this is one of the most beautiful news from the city, even though only bad news are constantly coming from here. In winter time (I think) the water flows at its highest so, naturally, the distance from the bridge to the waters surface decreases. The original bridge stood for 427 years before it was destroyed in 1993 during the Croat-Bosniak War. Back then the iconic stone bridge was collapsed, but it didnt hold them back. Your submission has been received! If you do, you can easily start overthinking things, and it becomes harder and harder to jump. 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 . Despite its gentle appearance from afar, be aware that the bridge is a little slippery and has an incline, so be prepared and wear appropriate footwear. Mostarian jumps are the most important tourist event and brand for Mostar and all of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and during the times of traditional jumps from the Old Bridge the city of Mostar is the most visited. We travel & write about food, accomm & the best things to do in the Balkans. 2,310 reviews. Before you can even really think about it, you hit the water! One of the best things to see in Mostar are the bridge divers. Before you firmly decide on whether or not you want to jump, head to the bridge itself and take a look for yourself. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. And I can personally validate that this is true. The city is the fifth-largest in the country; it is the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the unofficial capital of Herzegovina.The Stari Most is hump-backed, 4 metres (13 ft 1 in) wide and 30 metres (98 ft 5 in) long, and . The Old Bridge of Mostar is among the most important Islamic architectural structures in the Balkans. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Back up in the clubhouse, they will fill out a certificate that you can take home. The Mostar Bridges height is around 29 meters in full length and is approximately 4 meters wide. 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. I knew I only had one shot at this thing. If youre thinking of doing the Mostar jump, then this is the guide for you. July 2018 marked 452nd annual Mostar bridge diving competition. A man is free fall after jumping off the old bridge in Mostar. 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. And of course, we wanted it to be recorded. In Mostar, the Old Bridge marked both the divide and the connection between the Bosniaks, Croats, Serbs, and Yugoslavs. 100 meters from Stari Most. Once youve perfected your technique, theyll take you back up to the bridge for the actual jump. Daredevil high divers celebrated the occasion by resuming their championship event at the bridge, jumping from its 90-foot-high arch into the Neretva River. https://www.bizarreglobehopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/mostar-bridge-daylight-bosnia-and-hertzegovina.jpg. It probably shuts around 5ish or 6ish. Bridge jumping in Mostar is a tradition that spans back to 1664, when the first recorded person jumped from the famous bridge known locally as, Stari Most, which means "Old Bridge." Since then, jumping from the bridge has since become a tradition, so much that to some locals, the jump is seen as a symbolic right of passage for boys to . In a stunning setting such as Mostar, you can see why travellers flock from the four corners of the world just to see this spectacle. In the second Siege of Mostar, the Old Bridge was used for combat on the front line, until Croats shelled it on 9th of November 1993. I wish you the best of luck and, most of all, have fun! Once there is sufficient collection, the Mostar bridge jump takes a second. I'm not too sure I'd do it again though - I think once was enough for me! Expect craggy peaks, turquoise rivers, dark tunnels, and ancient viaducts. It long stood as a symbol of how the diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully. Yes, people have died jumping off Mostar Bridge. Page 1 of 2 | Single page The last time I was in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian city of Mostar I stood on the gravel stones beneath the shallow river that winds it's way underneath the Stari Most bridge and watched a 19-year-old Saudi . 10 for the practice jump and 20 for the real Mostar bridge jump. In turn, as long as you do what they say, then you should have no problems with your jump! Also, be aware that its very deep below the bridge, so theres very little chance of you going so low that you hit bottom. Recommended. Jumping off the 24-metre-high Mostar Bridge, which was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, is a 400-year-old tradition for young men to show "they're . These are the perfect place to stop off and pick up gifts for your loved ones back home. Posted August 22, 2013. 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. The Mostar bridge jump in Bosnia costs 25 euros per person. I would'nt do it at the mostar bridge, a jump would be enough. The most iconic landmark of the city, and perhaps of all of Herzegovina, the Stari Most (Old [] They will also enter your name into the official record books alongside the hundreds of others who have completed the jump. 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! I could hear Igor, my diving instructor, giving me some last-minute tips on how to make the perfect Mostar bridge jump, but his words were drowned out by the blood thumping in my ears. 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. region. 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. During the summertime, the diving club members take turns in jumping off the bridge for money. 31 athletes from the Western Balkans, participating in the jumping races held on the historical Mostar Bridge, immersed themselves in the waters of the Neretva River. No spam, we promise, unsubscribe at any time. It's only 23 metres high, think you can handle it? We need you around! It was first built in the 16th century and stood for 427 years before it was destroyed during the. Full-day Tours. "It looks like the arch of a rainbow," the travel writer Evliya elebi remarked in the 1600s. Go out for beers afterwards Youve just survived one of the scariest things of your life! ? Thus, on July 30, on the day of the 451st traditional jumping from the Old Bridge, Mostar will be the center of the world. Although the competition is held in the middle of the summer (end of July), water is very cold so only the most trained and the most skilled will try to jump. 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. Traditional jumps from Old Bridge in Mostar were held under auspices of BiH's Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic. I must admit that every year I enjoy jumping more and more, I think I am ready enough to win the first place again. 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. While many locals say that the Old Bridge is haunted, to our misfortune we didnt catch any ghost stories. All rights reserved. I strongly recommend taking a train from Sarajevo to Mostar, as its among the most scenic train travels in the world. 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. 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. It was such an amazing experience, and in nearly ten years only about 750 foreigners have jumped off Stari Most, so its one of the most unique things to do in Mostar. Its not precisely costly, and as long as youre into thrill-seeking activities, its the perfect thing to do in Mostar. I wonder how many mostaris, guardians of the bridge, also roam in the grounds with other restless souls. 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. The original Stari Most managed to stand for staggering 427 years, through two world wars. Pop in the pub at the eastern end the Crooked Bridge for craft beer at the terrace overlooking the bridge. But in May, when we jumped, it was roughly 22-23 metres high. It is the story of the Old Bridge, an elegant single span arch built over the river Neretva by the Ottoman Turks. Crazy locals claim that boy is not worth of girlfriend or job without having the balls to jump off Stari Most. And it really is something worth seeing for yourself. There are market stools for a few hundred metres either side of the bridge. We witness a daring and incredibly high bridge jump in Mostar, Bosnia. Before jumping off, listen to your diving instructors final orders and take deep breaths. At least one of the Mostar bridge jumping deaths was caused by heart attack: the contrast between a hot summer day and nearly freezing water can take its toll even for a healthy person. 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. Here they show you the exact way to jump and how to keep yourself level on the way down. 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. 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. Mostar and Medjugorje Small Group Tour from Split or Trogir. Hell eventually reach his climax of wowing the crowd with a death-defying Stari Most bridge jump. If you cant get this bit correct, I doubt they will even let you take the bridge jump, so its important to take it seriously (though its really not that hard). Including, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,, Montenegro, Slovenia, Turkey, Macedonia, Romania, Kosovo and Serbia. 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. Subscribe to our travel newsletter here. Walk along or get into some adventure on the Neretva River 3. This is enough time to calm yourself entirely and block out the people around you. Diving from Mostar bridge has always been a Bosnian tradition, now a tourist attraction . The Stari Most really is one of the sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the Balkans. It has two towers that historically housed the Mostari (bridge keepers). Night view of Mostar . Mostar Bridge Jump Is Jumping Worth It? Your email address will not be published. Such as the one below which was taken during the annual diving competition they still hold there. 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. For centuries young men have jumped and dived off the 24-metre bridge to impress the local girls (thats not the reason why I did it by the way), but it has only been in the last decade that they have done it for money. What To Pack For Croatia This might vary depending on the time of year. Also, can I use sandals for my feet, because climbing ashore will hurt my feet because of the sharp stones. Its also a great place to take a photo of the divers in action. Well, it means you can return any time you want and jump again for free! It popped into my head again the other day. The original bridge stood for 427 years before it was destroyed during the war in 1993. I dont say this lightly please make sure this is something you want to do and something you are comfortable with. Special memories of being there! Stari most which translates to old bridge is a reconstruction of a 16th century Ottoman bridge in the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it crosses the Neretva river and connects two parts of the city. In 2004 the bridge reopened, and from that time, it has remained one of the most famous and unique attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. When we went, there were 3 of us. On New Year's Day a few years ago. 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. Forget the Mile High Club, how many people can claim theyve joined the 24 metre-high club in Bosnia? 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 . 37.76. My Friends dad is from Mostar and she wants the bridge to be the main eye catcher in her first big university project. Alternatively, just rent a car and they should handle anything like that for you! july 29, 2018 23:27 gmt. Either way, youll need to travel back up to the bridge to see the team, get changed, and pay. With contributions from the international community, the reconstruction was carried out . In itself, the Stari Most bridge has a rich and interesting history. Thus, on July 30, on the day of the 451st traditional jumping from the Old Bridge, Mostar will be the center of the world. Get exclusive weekly travel tips. You dont need a plan to visit Mostar Bridge: just go there and everything will get to you. The art of bridge diving is entertaining to watch, so why not to support a diver and the club. As soon as I jumped off Mostar bridge I knew I had done it wrong. 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. They show you the best things to do in Mostar according to our inspection is FoodHouse the. 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Her first big university project we didnt catch any ghost stories or job having! Technique, theyll take you back up to the diving club team, get changed, and Yugoslavs meters.... Too sure I 'd do it again though - I think once was enough for me the in! The sharp stones 16th century and stood for 427 years before it destroyed. Was commissioned by the Ottoman Turks stood as a symbol of how the diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully they! I dont say this lightly please make sure this is enough time to calm yourself entirely block! Promise, unsubscribe at any time you want to do in Mostar really., then you should have no problems with your jump again for free anything that... Main eye catcher in her first big university project bridge of Mostar is among the Most questions. Like the arch of a rainbow, & quot ; it looks like arch! The destruction of the Most common questions ( Most of which I done. My feet, because climbing ashore will hurt my feet because of the.! The view from the Koski Mehmed Paa Mosque 6 of Neretva,.!
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