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. What To Pack For Turkey I'm an Economics graduate with a passion for travel. Facts about the Old Bridge. You dont need a plan to visit Mostar Bridge: just go there and everything will get to you. 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! So, thats how I found myself standing on the edge of the bridge, heart pounding, staring at the abyss below. Mostar's notorious Stari Most bridge is not a cliff, but trust me, you'd more rather jump off most cliffs. After a few years, an international scientific committee was established by UNESCO and arranged a team for the reconstruction of the bridge, along with many parts of the Old Town, which were also damaged and destroyed. If you're trying to find out how to jump from the bridge in Mostar, then feel free to skip ahead to the next section where I tell you exactly how to do it. In fact, most people visitingSplit or Dubrovnikin Croatia will take a day trip to Mostar to see the iconic bridge. Depending on the time of year, the height of the Mostar bridge jump can vary. Mostar was even named after the bridge keepers (mostari). I wish you the best of luck and, most of all, have fun! Local ikari know the art of bridge jumping and the risks. The Mostar Bridge Jumping Festival, a local tradition which involves auspicious folk hurling themselves into it off a Bridge! 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! 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! If they say it's okay to jump, then do it! SFOR - Mostar Bridge is standing up. They will ask you to jump a few times until you get the technique correct. Almost as legendary as the bridge itself is a photo of jumpers jumping from a 27-meter high bridge into the crystal water of the icy Neretva River. It is a kind of tradition that has been transformed into competitions since at all times the young people of Mostar compete with courage by jumping in the river from the height of its 29m. This might vary depending on the time of year. There have been at least 4 reported deaths since 2012. Hundreds of other tourists seemed to descend out of nowhere and get their cameras ready to record the jump. Before you jump, the dive team will outfit you with a wetsuit. A man is free fall after jumping off the old bridge in Mostar. Top Tips for Finding the Right Work-Life Balance, Things to do in London that You Might Not Know About. Usually what happens is this. In the ancient Bosnian town of Mostar, jumping or diving from the 24-meter-high bridge is a test of courage that dates back more than 400 years. When they deem enough has been collected, they please the crowd by performing an elaborate jump from the bridge, plunging down the 24 meters to the surface of the water its quite a thrilling sight! The first Siege of Mostar was fought in 1992; the second Siege of Mostar lasted from 1993 to 1994. As well as being very ornate inside, it actually offers some of the best views anywhere in Mostar. He entered the competition for the first time in 2000. Somehow, at the last second, I managed to pull my arms and legs in, grab my balls, and make myself pencil-thin as I speared the water. Things to do in Mostar; Old Town Diving from Mostar bridge has always been a Bosnian tradition, now a tourist attraction . 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 . It is a common spot for hosting the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships, which then get broadcast worldwide. Personally, one jump was enough for me; but feel free to have another go if youre that way inclined! It was so worth it. You take a few seconds underwater to think Shit, did I really just do this? Built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, the high-arched, stone bridge is a masterpiece. 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. Another option is to fly there. (Water level? So what makes the Old Bridge of Mostar so unique? Keep reading to find out more on how you can jump, including how much it costs and whatnot. In winter time (I think) the water flows at its highest so, naturally, the distance from the bridge to the waters surface decreases. Once youve perfected your technique, theyll take you back up to the bridge for the actual jump. You cant miss it. But lets dig deeper into the history and tragic legends of Stari Most! The answer to this question will never be, yes, it is 100% safe!. Not long! Better yet, as you come back above the surface, you are greeted by dozens of spectators clapping and cheering you for your effort. 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. After jumping off a 3ft bench a handful of times to prove I could do it, I asked Igor if I had a good technique and if I was ready to jump off the bridge; he said I jumped like a horse, that I would never be ready to jump off the bridge, but if I still wanted to do it then now was the time. An Adventurous World (2014-23). 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. What does that mean? These are the perfect place to stop off and pick up gifts for your loved ones back home. Divers hurled themselves from a 24-metre (79-ft) high Ottoman-era bridge in the Bosnian town of Mostar on Sunday, staging a centuries-old contest even though the COVID-19 pandemic prevented many . I was in the tiny village of Llanthony in the rural Welsh borderlands. If not, its just not for you. Thus, on July 30, on the day of the 451st traditional jumping from the Old Bridge, Mostar will be the center of the world. If you're in your 50s, just make sure your heart is up to the job - I'm sure it is but it's a bloody scary jump! It was blown up by Bosnian-Croat forces in November 1993. Ender Guner. All rights reserved. The original bridge stood for 427 years before it was destroyed in 1993 during the Croat-Bosniak War. Mostar is 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. And thats when I launched myself off the side of the bridge into the river below. @Macca Sherifi, what is the jumping technique? Tell me about it! History of Mostar Bridge Mostar Bridge was commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557. 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. Read more. In 2004 the bridge reopened, and from that time, it has remained one of the most famous and unique attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Be honest with yourself here in deciding whether or not you actually want to do it. If youre still willing, organizing Mostar Bridge jumping is easy. Thanks! We have to start a jumping school as soon as possible. Every year there are two or three new jumpers from Serbia, Montenegro, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, but unfortunately not from Mostar. 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. Youll be credited with a certificate and your name is written the Diving Club record book. It it Ill tell you all about what its like doing this jump, and whether there have been any Mostar bridge deaths. You can still spot brave jumpers on the ledge today more than 400 years after the tradition began. The bridge spans the Neretva river in the old town of Mostar, the city to which it gave the name. The alarm turned on in Mostar, because there are no younger generations. . If, after reading this you still want to jump the Stari Most bridge, then I salute you! Hell eventually reach his climax of wowing the crowd with a death-defying Stari Most bridge jump. I knew I only had one shot at this thing. No spam, we promise, unsubscribe at any time. There are rocks and branches beneath the bridge and currents can be strong. I wanted to enjoy it, to feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins, but with the river hurtling towards me at a startling rate and my arms and legs all over the place, all I could think was, this is going to hurt.. But I believe they are happy to let you jump even if theres just one person. The Mostar bridge jump height is between 20m and 26m 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. Walk along or get into some adventure on the Neretva River 3. Yes, its a Bosnian legend: jumping off Mostar Bridge is how a boy becomes a man in Mostar! Youll then need to do a few practice jumps. and a must stay for a day. Check out the view from the Koski Mehmed Paa Mosque 6. July 2018 marked 452nd annual Mostar bridge diving competition. Required fields are marked *. Home Blog Adventures Mostar Bridge Jump: Read This Before Jumping Off Mostar Bridge! Such as you leaning forward too much and hitting your face/stomach as you enter the water. It long stood as a symbol of how the diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully. A few years earlier, Hamish and Andy (Australian radio personalities) jumped from the bridge, and a few days after them, our son also jumped (successfully) from the bridge. 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. The Mostar Old Bridge is also known as Stari Most, Mostar Most, Bosnia Bridge, Mostar Bridge, Mostar Stari Most, Mostarski Most, or Stari Most. Nothing makes me happier than capturing the world one destination at a time so make sure you follow me on my adventures! Be careful at the bridge and only jump when youre ready to do it in a good form. In my opinion, hell yeah! Since the bridges reconstruction, the Mostar Diving club has maintained records of all the people who have made the Mostar Bridge jump. 020 7155 9863 The Mostar Bridge Jumping Festival! Since that time, the bridge was rebuilt in 2004 and today, serves as the main tourist attraction in Mostar. Prince of Neretva, only once managed to get close to the record of Mostars swallows like Emir Bali, who won 13 titles as the best jumper, and won the most titles in the history of the jumps in Mostar. Marvel at Stari Most Old Bridge 2. Subscribe to our travel newsletter here. The diving club installed a platform beside the temporary suspension bridge and carried on with their annual bridge diving competition. It was 30 minutes? 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! I strongly recommend taking a train from Sarajevo to Mostar, as its among the most scenic train travels in the world. These cookies do not store any personal information. Forget the Mile High Club, how many people can claim theyve joined the 24 metre-high club in Bosnia? Young men jump from the bridge to the river Neretva. Honestly, this was such a rush. Oops! The original stone bridge across the Neretva was constructed by the Ottoman rulers of Bosnia-Herzegovina nearly 500 years ago - and brutally demolished by Bosnian-Croat forces in 1993. This building is where the Mostar Dive Club is based, and, in the daytime, there is usually someone about. Well, it means you can return any time you want and jump again for free! Though saying that, people have died in the past, and the day before I jumped a guy had to be rushed to hospital with two suspected broken arms; there was a serious element of danger here, and after hearing that particular story I was bricking it. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Divers jumped from the Bosnia and Herzegovina's historic Mostar Bridge on Sunday, in a tradition dating back to the 17th century. I only jumped with the professional supervision of someone who does this day in day out. The Mostar bridge jump in Bosnia costs 25 euros per person. Id say wear it as the water really is cold! Whats the craziest thing youve ever done on your travel? According to history books, the first person jumped off Mostar bridge already in 1664. The best traditional restaurant in Mostar according to our inspection is FoodHouse on the western bank of Neretva, appr. The Old Bridge is certainly a haunting sight after dark when day-tripping tourists are swept away, and only occasional locals traverse the stone arch. 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. However, it really is a cool experience and your money is directly going towards preserving the jobs of the dive team. The bridge was eventually reopened again in 2004, and ever since it has been luring travellers from all over the world, not just because of its beauty, but because of its tradition Mostar bridge diving. There really is no shame in backing out, and a lot of people do find the 10m board too daunting. I did exactly what the instructors had told me to do. And it really is something worth seeing for yourself. After all, jumping of Mostar Bridge is a 450-year old tradition. The surrounding Stari Grad, the Old City of Mostar, is a perfect example of a historically important multicultural town with pre-Ottoman, eastern Ottoman, and Mediterranean architecture. Local tradition which involves auspicious folk hurling themselves into it off a bridge me ; but feel free have! The river Neretva have another go if youre that way inclined on in ;! Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases yes, its a Bosnian tradition, a... Perfected your technique, theyll take you back up to the bridge, then do it was enough for ;... 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