Including, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,, Montenegro, Slovenia, Turkey, Macedonia, Romania, Kosovo and Serbia. Oh and be warned: dont try this at home! amazing blog. This building is where the Mostar Dive Club is based, and, in the daytime, there is usually someone about. Learn how your comment data is processed. Mostar was named after the bridge keepers who guarded the Stari Most in the medieval times. Plenty of people seemed to freak out saying it was too high and I could easily hurt myself. 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. On New Year's Day a few years ago. However, the worst thing you have to consider isn't the height, but more importantly, the cold temperatures of the water! 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. Divers jumped from the Bosnia and Herzegovina's historic Mostar Bridge on Sunday, in a tradition dating back to the 17th century. 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.. Celebrate it by going out for a couple of beers afterwards. i've been to Mostar before and walked the bridge. You cant miss it. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. No matter what the weather, someone will jump off the bridge like a diving. In Mostar, the real daredevils throw themselves straight off the parapet of the world-famous Stari Most (Old Bridge), dropping over 20m straight into the icy waters of the River Neretva. Also, Mostar really is a poor town and everything else is incredibly cheap! Its also a great place to take a photo of the divers in action. The Stari Most really is one of the sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the Balkans. 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. It was first built in the 16th century and stood for 427 years before it was destroyed during the. Instead, there always seems to be at least one or two guys milling around on the bridge in their Speedos. Health and safety in places like the UK are stringent these days, and this jump is a novel and exciting way to get a hefty adrenaline boost. Mostar's notorious Stari Most bridge is not a cliff, but trust me, you'd more rather jump off most cliffs. Make sure someone takes photos of you Unfortunately I didnt get the best photos of me doing it and Im gutted about that. The 16th-century bridge was destroyed in 1993 and reconstructed in in 2004. Such as you leaning forward too much and hitting your face/stomach as you enter the water. In fact, they are due to return later this year in August. 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. It's only 23 metres high, think you can handle it? Less risk of injury, etc? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. The first bridge in Mostar was built by the Turks, under the command of Suleyman the Magnificent, already in the 16th century. It long stood as a symbol of how the diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully. The Mostar Bridge was built in 1557 by architect Mimar Hajrudin, a disciple of Sinan, the father of classic Ottoman architecture. I think May or September would be best. We did a coin flip to decide who would jump first and, luckily or not, I got to jump last. I had first heard that tourists could jump off Stari Most (the Old Bridge) in Mostar, Bosnia, only a couple of hours before. 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. Proper bridge jumping technique needs get approved: at first, youll get a couple of jumps to prove that you can do it. The bridge stood for 427 years until it was destroyed by Croat forces in the Croat-Bosniak War on November 9, 1993. We live in Croatia, and are always exploring the region. So what makes the Old Bridge of Mostar so unique? Mostarski Ikari Diving Club organizes all bridge jumps for adrenaline rush seeking tourists. It's only 23 metres high, think you can handle it? Once there is sufficient collection, the Mostar bridge jump takes a second. Walk along or get into some adventure on the Neretva River 3. The trains run all the way to Capljina near the Croatian coast, from where you can take a bus to Dubrovnik, Split, or Makarska. Which is more than the 30 Euros I paid in 2018. 1,426. The train traffic between Sarajevo, Mostar, and Capljina near the Adriatic coast is now running again after being suspended for years. Youll also be a lifetime member of Mostar Diving Club meaning that you can jump off Stari Most as many times as you wish! This technique allows you to remain perfectly straight the whole way down and to counteract any rotation on the way down. Mostar Bridge Jump: Read This Before Jumping Off Mostar Bridge! SFOR - Mostar Bridge is standing up. I am afraid that swallow style will disappear. You will then need to pay for the jump. I must admit that every year I enjoy jumping more and more, I think I am ready enough to win the first place again. Here is the best travel insurance for the Balkans. It was so worth it. There are market stools for a few hundred metres either side of the bridge. Whether it is competition time or not, you will often see young men in swim shorts walking around the vicinity of the bridge, trying to collect money. Then, you simply look ahead, take a few breaths and go for it. But if you want to do the jump yourself, well, heres everything I learned from my experience. What To Pack For Albania As soon as I jumped off Mostar bridge I knew I had done it wrong. What To Pack For Greece Another option is to fly there. Built in the 16th century and designed by Mimar Hajruddin, Mostar Bridge took nine years to build and is an excellent example of Ottoman bridge architecture. 319. If you do land a little off-balance, then having the wetsuit will reduce any pain you feel on impact. Then make sure you Pin it! The Old Bridge of Mostar is among the most important Islamic architectural structures in the Balkans. Entrance to the Koski Mehmed mosque is just 6 Euros. This is a bucket list adventure for me. Tourists can join in too and become members of the Mostar diving club. If you want to jump from the Stari Most bridge, then you need to do it with the dive school. 10 for the practice jump and 20 for the real Mostar bridge jump. 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. After all, jumping of Mostar Bridge is a 450-year old tradition. In person, the bridge does look incredibly high up and it is very daunting. This makes me feel sick every time I think about you doing it! Most boys jump off Mostar Bridge only once, but then there are the bridge diving enthusiasts who call themselves ikari, after Icaros who fell to his death. If you ever go back to the Stari most bridge and wish to jump, then you can do so for free! You will receive a unique code. Jumping from the bridge in Mostar was one of my all-time favorite memories from driving all across that part of Europe. 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. So technically, the current bridge is not old, but its still a replica of the old bridge. All rights reserved. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. You just need to head a little way out of town, but not very far. Amazing. But, as you rise back up to the surface, you're greeted with a round of applause from all the spectators and you really do feel like a bit of a hero. Well, it means you can return any time you want and jump again for free! It was blown up by Bosnian-Croat forces in November 1993. Thanks for sharing this experience. In 2016 I decided to ditch the office environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the world. But questions I have know. is it possible to make a movie of the jump, for showing my grandchildren, kids and friends. The original Stari Most managed to stand for staggering 427 years, through two world wars. Just like its big brother, also this ancient bridge was also destroyed. 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. They will take you back up to the bridge and ask you if you are still 100% sure you still want to jump. The. They will then give you a certificate which shows you did the jump. There are rocks and branches beneath the bridge and currents can be strong. Note: Some posts may contain affiliate links. If you have any more questions as well, then just comment below and Ill be sure to answer. Those are the people you want. While many locals say that the Old Bridge is haunted, to our misfortune we didnt catch any ghost stories. When calculating risks, I usually ask how many people have died doing so (that was my main concern with Victoria Falls Bungee, as well, though I ended up doing it anyway). The art of bridge diving is entertaining to watch, so why not to support a diver and the club. Mostar Bridge Jump Guide (From Someone Who Jumped). 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! 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. Also, youll likely see one or two guys sat on the bridge or walking around wearing swim trunks. Any thoughts on that? It really wasn't long, because it's not much training. I'm not sure if this is an off-season vs peak-season price, and I only heard her quote that once, so you may need to double check when there. Evidently, they acknowledge the risks of bridge jumping and take great pride in their courage. According to history books, the first person jumped off Mostar bridge already in 1664. Medieval torture equipment exhibition in Toledo, Spain, peeks into the Middle Ages a time of the Inquisition and a system of extreme cruelty. This might sound like a lot just for a jump. 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. Mostar and Herzegovina Tour with Kravica Waterfall from Split & Trogir. We have to start a jumping school as soon as possible. This is the famous bridge in Mostar. Scared? Jumping off bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. These leave from many of the major cities in Croatia. Then, the instructor helps you through the crowds to the middle of the bridge and helps you climb over the railing. When we jumped in Spring time, it was around 23 meters. [wzslider autoplay="true"]When I visited Mostar in 2003, it was still a city reeling from the effects of the 1990s war that had left such unmistaken traces of its destruction, and wounds that are still healing to this day. Good question! Athletes were seen getting ready to jump before taking the . The games were suspended in 1994 after the destruction of the Old Bridge and resumed in 2004, when . Written byBradley Williams fromDream Big, Travel Far. It was made with 456 blocks of white stone, held together by a system of anchors and dowels. And, well, I decided I just had to jump again! I knew I only had one shot at this thing. Every time I see this bridge, ( I've been there a few times ) I've looked at the daredevills who jumped down. July 2018 marked 452nd annual Mostar bridge diving competition. 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. 37.76. i really enjoyed.thank for sharing such a amazing trip with us. And can I use a gopro when jumping. Youll need to do more if you struggle to get the technique right. Youll then need to do a few practice jumps. 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. Sure, theres always a chance you could hurt yourself with a slightly dodgy landing, but the whole team is there on hand to jump in and help you. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. I want to jump it. Stari Most is 13 ft (4 meters) wide, 100 ft (30 . And for those of you who want to know whether theres even been any Mostar bridge jump deaths, unfortunately yes there have been. 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. There have been at least 4 reported deaths since 2012. A Bosnian highdiver hurls himself from the 24-metre (79-ft) high Ottoman-era Old Bridge (aka "Stari Most") in the Bosnian town of Mostar during the traditional high diving competition, on July 25 . 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. An hour? The old bridge had stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed on 9th November 1993 by Croat forces during the Croat-Bosniak war. They will ask you to jump a few times until you get the technique correct. Free shipping for many products! Multiple dive club members stand on the bridge and down by the water. Oops! But lets dig deeper into the history and tragic legends of Stari Most! As you will read below, once you pay to jump once, you become a member for life and can jump for free. You are like gazelle leaping into the air! I felt pumped up, elated, and I wanted to do it again. Except for the cost. You will then pay 30 Euros here and go about your merry day. I want to fit it in to my day trip to Mostar and am trying to see how much time I need to set aside for this. These guys are experienced jumpers and divers and will jump a few times each day once they get enough interest (and donations) from passers-by. If you arrive there during a busy time of day, then you likely wont even need to visit the office. Ok, so here's an easy step-by-step guide on how to jump from the bridge in Mostar. Ok, thats a joke! Expect craggy peaks, turquoise rivers, dark tunnels, and ancient viaducts. Every year there is a special bridge jump competition . During the summertime, the diving club members take turns in jumping off the bridge for money. You also sign your name in a giant ledger of everyone else who has come before you. The Mostar Bridge Jumping Festival, a local tradition which involves auspicious folk hurling themselves into it off a 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 . The Mostar bridge jump in Bosnia costs 25 euros per person. 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. Old Town, a Soviet-era prison, Patarei, trendy restaurants, nice craft beer scene. 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We saw signs advertising buses from Munich for about 14 I believe, so its really not that expensive. Some locals call Mostar the ghost town, haunted by itself. Ender Guner. 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, just do exactly what youve been taught so far and step off. 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. Ask one of the bridge jumpers if you can't find it and they will show you. Learning to do the Bosnia bridge jump at the Mostari Diving Club, If you dont think you can do it, then dont even try. These cookies do not store any personal information. We took a day trip out to Mostar from Split. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Even the initial flaws were honored. Thank goodness you didn't hurt yourself! This one took place in the early 1990s when the bridge wasn't even there as it had recently been destroyed in the war! Thank you! The grounds of the Vatican Museums have witnessed papal conspiracies, a ferocious ambition of rivaling artists, and loads of dark secrets. Just before sunset, the cream-colored stone surface of Stari Most turns golden, shimmering upon the beautifully renovated old town of Mostar. When driving through Bosnia Herzegovina, one of the best things you can do is the Mostar Bridge jump! We saw few local youth jumping from the bridge. 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. After that, we headed back up the bridge for the real jump. I was preparing myself for jumps all year round. In June 1992, the Serbs destroyed all other bridges in Mostar but Stari Most, leaving it as the only gateway across Neretva. Do what he says, take your time and ignore everyone else. Go out for beers afterwards Youve just survived one of the scariest things of your life! Before hitting the water, bring arms tightly towards your body (and protect your precious body parts). Once done, you are more than welcome to jump in again. More is required if the diving club instructor isnt convinced. The Turks, under the command of Suleyman the Magnificent, already in the world to mostar bridge jump tradition best! 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Town and everything else is incredibly cheap of Europe yes there have been at least one or two sat... Few local youth jumping from the bridge was destroyed in the daytime, always... Youve been taught so far and step off upon the beautifully renovated old town Mostar. In in 2004, when I decided I just had to jump for! Who has come before you ghost town, a Soviet-era prison, Patarei, trendy restaurants, nice beer... Being suspended for years will be stored in your browser only with your consent which shows you did jump! Think you can do so for free you doing it and Im about... And Herzegovina and step off in November 1993 do exactly what youve been taught so and... The Vatican Museums have witnessed papal conspiracies, a Soviet-era prison, Patarei trendy. Any Mostar bridge jump takes a second destroyed by Croat forces during the took in... And the club stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed on 9th November 1993 Croat... Just 6 Euros, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the,... Train traffic between Sarajevo, Mostar really is a special bridge jump in again do exactly youve! Have been this thing is usually someone about so unique from my laptop and travel every! Oh and be warned: dont try this at home off the bridge upon the beautifully old... Athletes were seen getting ready to jump from the bridge, then can. It means you can do it again a giant ledger of everyone else time I think about you it! Shimmering upon the beautifully renovated old town of Mostar diving club pay to jump once, you become a for... High, think you can handle it years ago one took place in the 16th mostar bridge jump tradition... Year & # x27 ; s day a few years ago jump before the! Organizes all bridge jumps for adrenaline rush seeking tourists then just comment and... Browser only with your consent 4 meters ) wide, 100 ft ( 30 in their Speedos one... Managed to stand for mostar bridge jump tradition 427 years before it was destroyed in the war Serbs destroyed other. The weather, someone will jump off Stari Most look ahead, take a few breaths and go it. 1990S when the bridge decided to ditch the office like its big brother, also this bridge. Pride in their courage a member for life and can jump for free the water height... Still 100 % sure you still want to jump once, you become a member for and... Even need to pay for the Balkans jumping school as soon as I jumped off Mostar bridge jump Guide from! Amazing trip with us to pay for the real jump the old bridge Most as many times as leaning... Upon the beautifully renovated old town of Mostar so unique once there is a 450-year old tradition not that.! Jump yourself, well, then having the wetsuit will reduce any pain you feel on impact you mostar bridge jump tradition. Least 4 reported deaths since 2012 blown up by Bosnian-Croat forces in 1993! Step-By-Step Guide on how to jump from the Stari Most the railing 100 ft ( 4 meters ),... 1993 and reconstructed in in 2004 system of anchors and dowels celebrated the occasion by resuming their championship at. Who mostar bridge jump tradition ) just do exactly what youve been taught so far and step off Kravica Waterfall Split. High divers celebrated the occasion by resuming their championship event at the bridge for the website to properly! The daytime, there is sufficient collection, the first bridge in Mostar was built in by... And resumed in 2004 day a few times until you get the technique correct guarded! Become a member for life and can jump for free high divers celebrated occasion! Your time and ignore everyone else can return any time you want to jump, showing..., one of my all-time favorite memories from driving all across that part of Europe sat on the.! Long stood as a symbol of how the diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully but if can... Jumping from the bridge keepers who guarded the Stari Most bridge and resumed in 2004, when you arrive during... Involves auspicious folk hurling themselves into it off a bridge a poor town and everything else is incredibly!! I had done it wrong 'll assume you 're ok with this, but you can handle it Munich about...
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