Please make sure that the water level is high enough before planning your bridge jump. View Event Info 28 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. Just make sure that you take out Green Card insurance before you drive. As we mentioned, dont try to jump off the bridge without permission. I'm 70 years of age, in good shape and there's still one scary moment to do. All in all, it doesn't take long from booking the jump to actually doing it. Crazy locals claim that boy is not worth of girlfriend or job without having the balls to jump off Stari Most. 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. Alternatively, just rent a car and they should handle anything like that for you! Here is the best travel insurance for the Balkans. Keep your form: be careful not to lean backward or forward. Finally, and the option we had, was to drive there. 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. 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. That averages . I'm healthy, fit and in my early 50s, and want to do it before I'm much older? Your email address will not be published. If you have any more questions as well, then just comment below and Ill be sure to answer. ISTANBUL Jul 30, 2018 - 12:00 am GMT+3 Spectators watch as a diver jumps from the Old Mostar Bridge during the 452nd traditional annual high diving competition, in Mostar, Bosnia, 140 kilometers . This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Severe bruising is the most common injury, but too many people also tell about broken bones, dislocated limbs, and even spine injuries. Walk along or get into some adventure on the Neretva River 3. Or perhaps you rotate backward on the way down and land on your back. By this point, there will be lots of tourists around with cameras preparing 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. The Old Bridge in Mostar was designed by the renowned architect Mimar Hajruddin and stood for a proud 427 years before being destroyed during the war. Its also a great place to take a photo of the divers in action. Its fine not to as its certainly not everyones cup of tea. As such, if youre coming from a different part of Bosnia, or even a different country, then you can get buses there. The old bridge had stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed on 9th November 1993 by Croat forces during the Croat-Bosniak war. You can jump off the Mostar Old Bridge with permission of the Dive Club to the right of the bridge. This is a bucket list adventure for me. They will tell you to be calm and go whenever youre ready. Crooked Bridge is just a 5-minute stroll away from the Old Bridge and surrounded by restaurants. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Hell eventually reach his climax of wowing the crowd with a death-defying Stari Most bridge jump. When we arrived back up, a large crowd of spectators had gathered. Old Town, a Soviet-era prison, Patarei, trendy restaurants, nice craft beer scene. You can look down off the railings from the top and get a feel for how high it is. Yes, people have died jumping off Mostar Bridge. It's only 23 metres high, think you can handle it? We need you around! When driving through Bosnia Herzegovina, one of the best things you can do is the Mostar Bridge jump! No matter what the weather, someone will jump off the bridge like a diving. The bridge was drawn by a famous architect, Mimar Sinan, and constructed by his student Mimar Hajruddin. If, after reading this you still want to jump the Stari Most bridge, then I salute you! And can I use a gopro when jumping. 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 . After looking online, we soon found that Mostar was by far one of the nicest places to visit. 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. How can you say no to that? 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. In June 1992, the Serbs destroyed all other bridges in Mostar but Stari Most, leaving it as the only gateway across Neretva. We didnt do this unfortunately, but apparently you can kayak down the river. Ok, thats a joke! 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! Before you firmly decide on whether or not you want to jump, head to the bridge itself and take a look for yourself. The Stari Most really is one of the sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the Balkans. Floods swiped away much of its footpath in December 2000, but once again UNESCO came to help and restored the Crooked Bridge to its former glory. 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. Since that time, the bridge was rebuilt in 2004 and today, serves as the main tourist attraction in Mostar. And of course, we wanted it to be recorded. region. History of Mostar Bridge Mostar Bridge was commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557. 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. Back up in the clubhouse, they will fill out a certificate that you can take home. It doesn't leave you many options; I mean, who wants to be a complete failure! Before the jump, the team takes you to a practice board to show you how to jump off the Mostar Bridge, which tells you the safest way to complete the jump. Dubrovnik is 81 kilometers (51 miles) away. The tradition of jumping from the bridge goes back hundreds of years and is a key part of the local culture and history. 1Lt. Id say wear it as the water really is cold! Evidently, they acknowledge the risks of bridge jumping and take great pride in their courage. Now, this is not something you should decide to do willy-nilly because the waters are dangerous, and many people have been injured or even killed by merely choosing to try it for themselves. 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! Also, be aware that its very deep below the bridge, so theres very little chance of you going so low that you hit bottom. 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. It all depends on what season you go in. 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. 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. 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. In 2004, he won the title for the first time. They know how to tease the crowds to gather the next 25 to qualify a jump. In Summer, the water is at its lowest and so the distance is highest. You just need to head a little way out of town, but not very far. Most tourists prefer to jump feet first, which is safer if youre not super confident in diving head first. 1,426. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Mostarski Ikari Diving Club has been officially operating since the end of the war in 1995. 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. 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. Such as you leaning forward too much and hitting your face/stomach as you enter the water. 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. 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. You can cross into Bosnia Herzegovina by all surrounding countries at a variety of borders. Youll also be a lifetime member of Mostar Diving Club meaning that you can jump off Stari Most as many times as you wish! He never jumped on his feet. The bridge stood for 427 years until it was destroyed by Croat forces in the Croat-Bosniak War on November 9, 1993. July 2018 marked 452nd annual Mostar bridge diving competition. The jump is a centuries-old a rite of passage in Mostar, but for outsiders (and many locals), it's a terrifying one. The medieval village that exists on either side of the bridge is more interesting than the bridge itself. I'm Macca & I run the multiple award-winning blog An Adventurous World. You'll find me working out of a cafe in Bali, perhaps on a riverboat in Brazil or maybe even an airport lounge in New Delhi. 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. Feel the presence of Michelangelo, the Borgia Pope and other anxious souls still searching for their atonement. So if youre interested in seeing how the professionals dive from the bridge, then be sure to tune in! 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. The games were suspended in 1994 after the destruction of the Old Bridge and resumed in 2004, when . You cant miss it. Before you can even really think about it, you hit the water! The water hits you before you have time to really think of much else. 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. Every day I go to the gym twice and run twice. Youll be credited with a certificate and your name is written the Diving Club record book. Also, youll likely see one or two guys sat on the bridge or walking around wearing swim trunks. Plum Fair in Gradaac from 23 to 27 of August: More, Bosnia and Herzegovina records economic growth:Tourism is an increasingly important sector, Important telephone numbers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gian Luca Palazzolo: Sarajevo defined me as an artist, Maja uri, founder of Dance Studio Maya: We are Travniks decoration, Importanne Center Sarajevo: The largest Baby Centar, Monastery of Kraljeva Sutjeska and the royal town of Bobovac, Zavidovii, an exceptional tourist destination, NenoCooks: I wish to attract tourists to BiH with my work, Damir Roajac, confectionery virtuoso, world champion and Vacks judge: He thrilled, Zaim Merdan, one of the most famous names of BH culinary, The natural beauty of Bijambare leaves everyone breathless, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a paradise of eternal adventurers, Haris Fazlagi:This is the year of important and serious tourism projects. After extensive research, the Old Bridge was rebuilt between 2001 - 2004 at the cost of about 5 million Euros. In fact, they are due to return later this year in August. It is a common spot for hosting the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships, which then get broadcast worldwide. Every year there are two or three new jumpers from Serbia, Montenegro, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, but unfortunately not from Mostar. What To Wear On A Longhaul Flight. Still, its a stunning landmark and icon of peace known all over the world. However, most of the jumpers will be from Mostar. 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. In winter time (I think) the water flows at its highest so, naturally, the distance from the bridge to the waters surface decreases. 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! Entrance to the Koski Mehmed mosque is just 6 Euros. As far as physical fitness is concerned, I think that I have given the maximum said Listo, emphasizing that he wants to defend the title but also to pass without injury. Many locals can tell you openly that its definitely not safe to jump off Mostar Bridge. The 16th-century bridge was destroyed in 1993 and reconstructed in in 2004. So, what else could I do? 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. Hey, I am SJ and this is my family. Its an incredible feeling as you sink below the water and have the sudden realization that youve done it! Also, as discussed above, the jump itself isnt that dangerous. In itself, the Stari Most bridge has a rich and interesting history. Forget the Mile High Club, how many people can claim theyve joined the 24 metre-high club in Bosnia? 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. 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. Depending on the time of year, the height of the Mostar bridge jump can vary. We did a coin flip to decide who would jump first and, luckily or not, I got to jump last. And for those of you who want to know whether theres even been any Mostar bridge jump deaths, unfortunately yes there have been. The Ultimate Guide to Mostars Old Bridge: Bridge Jumping, Legends, and Ghosts of War. Another option is to fly there. I looked down and took a deep breath to steady myself , I gave the instructor one final farewell fist bump . Even the local diving club is named Mostarski Ikari. Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar was declared as Unesco World Heritage Site in 2005. After that, we headed back up the bridge for the real jump. One of the best things to see in Mostar are the bridge divers. Slipping is dangerous because then you cannot prepare your body for hitting the water. Hi travellers! Earlier in the year, we decided to visit Mostar and experience the place for ourselves. As you will read below, once you pay to jump once, you become a member for life and can jump for free. It long stood as a symbol of how the diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully. I did exactly what the instructors had told me to do. I am happy to report that nearly 400 years later this tradition is still very much alive. Personally, I still kept on my swim shorts. The original bridge stood for 427 years before it was destroyed during the war in 1993. All I could think about was do not fuck this up, do NOT fuck this up, while the dozens of tourists who were all clamouring to take my photo were probably thinking the opposite; I really hope he fucks this up.. In addition to these great highlights, many more ingenious things to do in Mostar and awesome possibilities for excursionsaround are waiting for you. The tradition of jumping off the bridge in Mostar began in 1664. Good luck to you mate. Its easy to forget you are in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Then it's time to jump off the . Legends tell that the architect, Mimar Hajruddin, had to make it or break it. Just before sunset, the cream-colored stone surface of Stari Most turns golden, shimmering upon the beautifully renovated old town of Mostar. Luckily, his work was celebrated as the widest man-made arch in the world! Your short flight has a speed nearing 80 km/h. First up, you need to speak to the diving club. Written byBradley Williams fromDream Big, Travel Far. The answer to this question will never be, yes, it is 100% safe!. Tell you openly that its definitely not safe to jump the Stari Most golden... 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T leave you many options ; I mean, who wants to calm. Jump, head to the gym twice and run twice while you navigate through the Balkans this! Was celebrated as the main tourist attraction in Mostar but Stari Most bridge, from. Bridges in Mostar but Stari Most, leaving it as the main attraction!
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