It is the shining light in Mostar, a city where the Neretva River snakes its way through the picturesque Mostar valley. Your email address will not be published. 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. July 2018 marked 452nd annual Mostar bridge diving competition. Youll be credited with a certificate and your name is written the Diving Club record book. Sadly, the original Stari Grad Mostar bridge was destroyed in the Bosnian War in 1993. We had awful experience in Sadrvan, which is usually listed among the best restaurants in Mostar (its a tourist trap serving bland and overcooked food). I only jumped with the professional supervision of someone who does this day in day out. Before you can even really think about it, you hit the water! Anyways, I was committed to doing it and soon found out everything I needed to know from the locals. Igor came running down to the river to meet me; You are no horse! SFOR - Mostar Bridge is standing up. When we went, there were 3 of us. It is a very old tradition and the first written document about someone jumping from the bridge is from 1664. Then, just do exactly what youve been taught so far and step off. These are both possibilities if you fail to jump correctly. 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 . Ok, so here's an easy step-by-step guide on how to jump from the bridge in Mostar. We did a coin flip to decide who would jump first and, luckily or not, I got to jump last. 10 for the practice jump and 20 for the real Mostar bridge jump. I dont think wearing a wetsuit is essential, but I would 100% recommend it. 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It all depends on what season you go in. Its not precisely costly, and as long as youre into thrill-seeking activities, its the perfect thing to do in Mostar. Afterwards, you head back up to the clubhouse to get dressed. Characteristics. 100 meters from Stari Most. Those are the people you want. Once done, you are more than welcome to jump in again. This 18-year-old Mostarian, with his famous flight, gives an unforgettable experience to fans of this extreme sport, and considering that he is in good shape from year to year, we will still enjoy his jumps. If anything goes wrong for whatever reason, multiple dive club members are around to help. If you do the jump, then leave a comment below, Id love to hear from you! Stari Most was constructed by the Ottomans under the commission of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16 th century. Then make sure you Pin it! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. More than an architectural masterpiece was lost. Risk of injuries is high, and even higher when the water level of Neretva River is at its lowest during the summer. It was first built in the 16th century and stood for 427 years before it was destroyed during the. Diving contest 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. It is said that the tradition began just after its inauguration and since 1968 an annual diving tournament is held there. However, the most exciting thing you can do there in 2019 is your own Mostar bridge jump! Bosnia and Herzegovina has a varied landscape, with high mountains, rolling valley and large cities. . This might vary depending on the time of year. Mostar and Herzegovina Tour with Kravica Waterfall from Split & Trogir. A painstakingly faithful replica was completed in 2004. The dive instructor will stand over in the middle of the bridge and help you to step over the railing one person at a time. After a few minutes, a small guy came to the front, climbed over the railings and launched himself into the air. In Australia, we achieve this by attempting to rapidly drink a 1.4L yard glass of beer while surrounded by friends . 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 winter time (I think) the water flows at its highest so, naturally, the distance from the bridge to the waters surface decreases. But it is now time for the actual jump! Expect craggy peaks, turquoise rivers, dark tunnels, and ancient viaducts. You will then pay 30 Euros here and go about your merry day. He entered the competition for the first time in 2000. Mostarski Ikari Diving Club has been officially operating since the end of the war in 1995. One of the dive instructors will also be there to steady you and help you. Mostar Bridge is standing up. Then, the instructor helps you through the crowds to the middle of the bridge and helps you climb over the railing. If youre still willing, organizing Mostar Bridge jumping is easy. The train traffic between Sarajevo, Mostar, and Capljina near the Adriatic coast is now running again after being suspended for years. During hot summer days, local daredevils show-off their bridge jumping skills and dive the dizzying 27 meters into the green waters. 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. Keep reading to find out more on how you can jump, including how much it costs and whatnot. "It looks like the arch of a rainbow," the travel writer Evliya elebi remarked in the 1600s. 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. 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. So what makes the Old Bridge of Mostar so unique? The original Stari Most managed to stand for staggering 427 years, through two world wars. 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 . i really enjoyed.thank for sharing such a amazing trip with us. This is a bucket list adventure for me. More is required if the diving club instructor isnt convinced. amazing blog. After extensive research, the Old Bridge was rebuilt between 2001 - 2004 at the cost of about 5 million Euros. 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.. What did he do wrong? Thanks! What happens now is, one at a time, you cross over the wall of the bridge and stand looking out over the water. Still up to it and ready to leap? In Mostar, the Old Bridge marked both the divide and the connection between the Bosniaks, Croats, Serbs, and Yugoslavs. Medieval torture equipment exhibition in Toledo, Spain, peeks into the Middle Ages a time of the Inquisition and a system of extreme cruelty. I couldnt believe it. 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. july 29, 2018 23:27 gmt. 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. 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. During the Bosnian conflict, 100000-200000 people were slaughtered, mainly on the streets of Sarajevo, Mostar, Srebrenica, and Banja Luka. 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. Of course, tourists are briefed for jumping off safely and accustoming their bodies to the cold. His students later designed the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and helped to create Taj Mahal. Pekaras (bakeries) offer the traditional Bosnian pies and pastries filled with either meat, cheese or spinach, so if you havent tasted them, do it in Mostar! Check out our article on this gorgeous trip by train from Sarajevo to Mostar! Be prepared to the cold river and wear a wetsuit if its provided or just bathe in cold water. If you do the whole thing and pay the full 30 Euros, then be aware that you will also become an official member of the Mostar Dive Club! tradition. 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. 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. Youve jumped the Old Bridge in Mostar! I dont say this lightly please make sure this is something you want to do and something you are comfortable with. The Ottoman sultan was so tired of unsuccessful bridge building attempts that he threatened to execute every failing architect. It doesn't leave you many options; I mean, who wants to be a complete failure! The old town harks back to the Ottoman empire, with its Turkishesque bazaars, colourful narrow streets and impressive mosques. 319. First up, you need to speak to the diving club. Entrance to the Koski Mehmed mosque is just 6 Euros. In person, the bridge does look incredibly high up and it is very daunting. It is a common spot for hosting the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships, which then get broadcast worldwide. Nothing makes me happier than capturing the world one destination at a time so make sure you follow me on my adventures! Divers jumped from the Bosnia and Herzegovina's historic Mostar Bridge on Sunday, in a tradition dating back to the 17th century. Ilya Burlak. I'm 70 years of age, in good shape and there's still one scary moment to do. "Feeling cannot be described. Then you can keep going discovering this stunning and undiscovered country. I'd definitely following the diving club's rules and advice on this one. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. A man is free fall after jumping off the old bridge in Mostar. 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. We travel the Balkans seeking out food, accommodation and the best things to do in the Balkans so youll save time travel planning & travel like a local. Including, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,, Montenegro, Slovenia, Turkey, Macedonia, Romania, Kosovo and Serbia. In my honest opinion, hell yeah, its worth it! 2,310 reviews. Athletes were seen getting ready to jump before taking the . A Friend and I would like to use the following picture for our own Art. I bet hundreds of agonized souls have jumped off the bridge to their death and even greater number of civilians are raped and murdered during the wars. However, I had just completed a successful jump and been inducted into the Mostari Diving Clubs Hall of Fame, an honour that fewer than 1,000 people around the world can claim. One of the terraces makes a perfect dinner spot. The Stari Most really is one of the sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the Balkans. It it Ill tell you all about what its like doing this jump, and whether there have been any Mostar bridge deaths. 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 . Tournament is held there expect craggy peaks, turquoise rivers, dark tunnels, as. It it Ill tell you all about what its like doing this jump and! 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