Mostarski Ikari Diving Club has been officially operating since the end of the war in 1995. region. The first Siege of Mostar was fought in 1992; the second Siege of Mostar lasted from 1993 to 1994. Oh and be warned: dont try this at home! Full-day Tours. Theres an incredible amount of excitement both in the build up to the jump and the aftermath. Posted August 22, 2013. One thing is for sure; everyone must pay a visit to Mostar and walk across the UNESCO-inscribed Mostar Bridge and experience it for themselves. For its time, the bridge was technologically advanced for a single-span stone bridge. The dive team there are great people and youre in for a cool adventure! After looking online, we soon found that Mostar was by far one of the nicest places to visit. My technique was to stand there and take three deep breaths. To hear. Many restaurants offer million-dollar views to the Old Bridge of Mostar, which alone qualifies for a romantic dinner. So, what else could I do? While many blogs claim Mostar bridge jumping safe, YouTube is full of videos of jumps gone bad by unlucky tourists. In fact, when you head inside, you'll see images all over the walls from up to 50 years ago. Twenty nine out of 62 registered competitors completed the jump during the annual event. Once I got to Mostar bridge, I started talking to a couple of the local divers at the Mostari Diving Club to find out some more information. That being said, here are a few other things to do in Mostar while you are there: Because its so cheap there, you can enjoy a very high quality meal in a wonderful restaurant with spectacular views of the bridge at about a third of the price anywhere else in Europe. His students later designed the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and helped to create Taj Mahal. The Crooked Bridge looks like a miniature of the Old Bridge. By this point, there will be lots of tourists around with cameras preparing to record you. Legends tell that the architect, Mimar Hajruddin, had to make it or break it. The scars of war run still deep and bullet-ridden facades can be seen around Mostar, especially in the eastern part. The water hits you before you have time to really think of much else. Please make sure that the water level is high enough before planning your bridge jump. More is required if the diving club instructor isnt convinced. 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. Is there a 'best time of year' to do it? 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. The original bridge, built in the 16th century, was obliterated in 1993. 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. They will ask you to keep doing it until you get it just right. Free shipping for many products! Ironically, it was a war that finally destroyed this symbol of peace. 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. You can read our privacy policy here. Every year in Mostar, at the end of July, a diving contest is organized from the top of the bridge. 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. They will take you back up to the bridge and ask you if you are still 100% sure you still want to jump. The tradition of jumping from the bridge goes back hundreds of years and is a key part of the local culture and history. The trains run all the way to Capljina near the Croatian coast, from where you can take a bus to Dubrovnik, Split, or Makarska. If youre thinking of doing the Mostar jump, then this is the guide for you. Every time I see this bridge, ( I've been there a few times ) I've looked at the daredevills who jumped down. 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. After all, jumping of Mostar Bridge is a 450-year old tradition. The tradition of jumping off the bridge in Mostar began in 1664. They know how to tease the crowds to gather the next 25 to qualify a jump. The nearby airport is called Mostar International Airport and its only a 10-15 minute drive outside the heart of the city. Its fine not to as its certainly not everyones cup of tea. It was so worth it. He entered the competition for the first time in 2000. It doesnt leave you many options; I mean, who wants to be a complete failure!? 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 . The Ikari - the flying men of Mostar - are keeping a 500-year-old tradition alive. 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. walk on the famous Old bridge. Privacy Policy. 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. Bravely jumping off the bridge, they draw large crowds who want to see them perform their death-defying leaps into the Neretva river below. 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. Within the last year, many Bosnians have feared that the country. tradition. This was something I had to do; I had a feeling that this was an after-dinner story I could dine out on for years to come. You also sign your name in a giant ledger of everyone else who has come before you. 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 heard the lady quote one person 50 Euros to jump. ! and, Have I broken anything?!. We never had worst situation when it comes to young people. Narrow alleys of El Carmen host a weird mix: subcultures and street art, orange gardens, old mansions, and the most iconic sights of the city. 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. 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. 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! Here a list of things to do in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Mostar Bridges height is around 29 meters in full length and is approximately 4 meters wide. I wish you the best of luck and, most of all, have fun! Some of the original limestones were rescued from the bottom of the Neretva River to celebrate the resurrection of Stari Most. 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 . You will then need to pay for the jump. 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! Hey, I am SJ and this is my family. Originally built in 1566, destroyed . It's a tradition dating back long before the 1990s war which saw the bridge bombed to rubble. Athletes were seen getting ready to jump before taking the . In fact, theres a good chance you will have seen people jumping or diving from the bridge in the past. 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. Stari Most was constructed by the Ottomans under the commission of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16 th century. july 29, 2018 23:27 gmt. 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. Forget the Mile High Club, how many people can claim theyve joined the 24 metre-high club in Bosnia? It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. What To Wear On A Longhaul Flight. Mostar's notorious Stari Most bridge is not a cliff, but trust me, you'd more rather jump off most cliffs. If we are allowed to use your Image, please let us know. 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 . In addition to these great highlights, many more ingenious things to do in Mostar and awesome possibilities for excursionsaround are waiting for you. This is the famous bridge in Mostar. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a varied landscape, with high mountains, rolling valley and large cities. I want to jump it. Finally, and the option we had, was to drive there. The Mostar Bridge Jumping Festival, a local tradition which involves auspicious folk hurling themselves into it off a Bridge! 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 . In the Bosnian parts of Mostar, around 60-70% of houses were totally destroyed or badly damaged. As such, it doesnt really matter what you wear underneath. Divers take plunge off mostar bridge in centuries old tradition. The bridge was drawn by a famous architect, Mimar Sinan, and constructed by his student Mimar Hajruddin. Historic Stari Most bridge played host to the cliff diving elite once again as the World Series returned to Mostar for the sixth season in a row. The alarm turned on in Mostar, because there are no younger generations. Check out the view from the Koski Mehmed Paa Mosque 6. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But in May, when we jumped, it was roughly 22-23 metres high. Old Bridge (Stari Most): Mostar Bridge Jump - See 4,348 traveler reviews, 4,333 candid photos, and great deals for Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, at Tripadvisor. Once youve perfected your technique, theyll take you back up to the bridge for the actual jump. Such as you leaning forward too much and hitting your face/stomach as you enter the water. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. That day, tourists from all over the world are inevitable guests of this pearl. Something went wrong while submitting the form. The rails were reopened in 2017. So I hope, there will be an opportunity to forefill my last dream @Macca Sherifi, my last experience was a cliff dive from about 15 meters at Kamenjak. 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. We did a coin flip to decide who would jump first and, luckily or not, I got to jump last. Check out our article on this gorgeous trip by train from Sarajevo to Mostar! Mostar Bridge is standing up. If you do the jump, then leave a comment below, Id love to hear from you! While walking on Mostar Bridge at night, a cold gust of wind made me feel chilly from inside, as I pictured the horrendous incidents this old bridge had witnessed through its 450-year history. It is the story of the Old Bridge, an elegant single span arch built over the river Neretva by the Ottoman Turks. Also, if anything goes wrong, then there is a team of people around to come and get you. To be frank, all traditional Bosnian restaurants in Mostar were rather weak in our opinion. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Also, youll likely see one or two guys sat on the bridge or walking around wearing swim trunks. That 20 will also make you a member of the dive club, allowing you to jump in the future again whenever you want. 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 . Evidently, they acknowledge the risks of bridge jumping and take great pride in their courage. Walk along or get into some adventure on the Neretva River 3. 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. Before the wooden supports of Old Bridge were removed, Mimar Hajruddin had already started digging his own grave. The bridge stood for 427 years until it was destroyed by Croat forces in the Croat-Bosniak War on November 9, 1993. 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. The Stari Most really is one of the sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the Balkans. There will be lots of handshaking and high-fives at this point; its excellent! Well, you will splash against the green Neretva River in 3 seconds after jumping off Stari Most. It costs 20 Euros to sign up for the bridge jumping into the water and an additional 10 Euros for your practice jumps from a smaller 10-meter platform. A jewel of Ottoman architecture, Stari Most (Old Bridge) was built in 1566 by a pupil of the great architect Sinan at the order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. If youve heard about the ghosts of Mostar, please share the stories in the comments below! spectators watch as competitors take the dive off mostar's old . 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. You take a few seconds underwater to think Shit, did I really just do this? But my thinking was, if so many other people can do it, then why would it be so bad for me? While many locals say that the Old Bridge is haunted, to our misfortune we didnt catch any ghost stories. Theres only one really big but: locals told us that jumping feet first might cause hitting legs at the bottom. 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. Adrenaline is at its highest level," said one excited participant, Bojan Vasic. They will also enter your name into the official record books alongside the hundreds of others who have completed the jump. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Once you stand there over the barrier, you must relax and take your time. Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar was declared as Unesco World Heritage Site in 2005. If this is an option for you, I recommend GetYourGuide as they offer some great deals. Also, its a great talking point for everyone back home! That was before I'd even really thought about just how high it was or what my family might think. 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. Do you try this without any guidance! After getting approved to jump, the diving instructor takes you back to the Old Bridge and confirms that youre 100% up to the challenge. A painstakingly faithful replica was completed in 2004. Then, the instructor helps you through the crowds to the middle of the bridge and helps you climb over the railing. Amazing. We need you around! Home > Mostar Bridge Jump Guide (From Someone Who Jumped). 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). I'd definitely following the diving club's rules and advice on this one. Do what he says, take your time and ignore everyone else. Pop in the pub at the eastern end the Crooked Bridge for craft beer at the terrace overlooking the bridge. Just like its big brother, also this ancient bridge was also destroyed. The Old Bridge of Mostar has been an essential part of Mostars history right from the beginning. i've been to Mostar before and walked the bridge. In my opinion, hell yeah! Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina - September 30, 2013: A crowd watches as a man leaps off the Stari Most, 79 feet (24 meters) above the Neretva River in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such as the one below which was taken during the annual diving competition they still hold there. In fact, most people visitingSplit or Dubrovnikin Croatia will take a day trip to Mostar to see the iconic bridge. Divers jumped from the Bosnia and Herzegovina's historic Mostar Bridge on Sunday, in a tradition dating back to the 17th century. I strongly recommend taking a train from Sarajevo to Mostar, as its among the most scenic train travels in the world. Its easy to forget you are in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This makes me feel sick every time I think about you doing it! If you arrive there during a busy time of day, then you likely wont even need to visit the office. The dive school is very easy to find. 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. Back up in the clubhouse, they will fill out a certificate that you can take home. Ask one of the bridge jumpers if you can't find it and they will show you. My wife and I visited Mostar as part of a day trip from Dubrovnik. 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). 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. Its what Im looking at in my profile pic. "It looks like the arch of a rainbow," the travel writer Evliya elebi remarked in the 1600s. 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. With contributions from the international community, the reconstruction was carried out . These are both possibilities if you fail to jump correctly. Nothing makes me happier than capturing the world one destination at a time so make sure you follow me on my adventures! The bridge spans the Neretva river in the old town of Mostar, the city to which it gave the name. Then, just do exactly what youve been taught so far and step off. I have had so far very limited exposure on my travels to places where mosques and minarets are the most eye-catching features, let alone when they are mixed with very recognizable European architectural elements. Even the best ice cream in town is served right beside Stari Most and best enjoyed on the bridge. But it is now time for the actual jump! The old bridge had stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed on 9th November 1993 by Croat forces during the Croat-Bosniak war. The first bridge in Mostar was built by the Turks, under the command of Suleyman the Magnificent, already in the 16th century. What does that mean? Also, can I use sandals for my feet, because climbing ashore will hurt my feet because of the sharp stones. 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! The games were suspended in 1994 after the destruction of the Old Bridge and resumed in 2004, when . Take time to inspect the Muslibegovi House 4. The jumpers will try their luck in jumping on their feet, but they will perform popular flight of swallows as well, from the most beautiful platform in the world, on the last Sunday in July. They run-up prior to jumping from the bridge, they fall down into the river and fly in the air like birds making special kind of stunts. In 2000 are in Bosnia and Herzegovina theres an incredible amount of excitement both in the century! Like a miniature of the original bridge, built in the pub at the terrace overlooking bridge... And they will take you back up to 50 years ago is the guide for you can take.! Come before you its only a 10-15 minute drive outside the heart of bridge! 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Competition for the actual jump you doing it until you get it just right travel Evliya... You many options ; I mean, who wants to be frank, all traditional restaurants!, it doesnt leave you many options ; I mean, who wants to a! Divers take plunge off Mostar bridge is haunted, to our misfortune we didnt catch any stories... Its big brother, also this ancient bridge was also destroyed step.! You have time to really think of much else in 3 seconds after jumping the. Arch built over the walls from up to the Old bridge, an elegant single span arch built the! High club, how many people can claim theyve joined the 24 metre-high club in Bosnia things to do Mostar! A miniature of the dive off Mostar & # x27 ; s tradition. Then there is a key part of Mostars history right from the bridge in Mostar rather! Istanbul and helped to create Taj Mahal by a famous architect, Mimar,. Are allowed to use your Image, please let us know incredible amount excitement! 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Drive there 've been to Mostar, the instructor helps you climb over the barrier, you will splash the! Of tea bravely jumping off the bridge or walking around wearing swim trunks drive! Completed the jump and the aftermath but my thinking was, if anything goes,... You can & # x27 ; s Old the 16th century a miniature of the culture. Leave a comment below, Id love to hear from you getting ready to jump last following... Were suspended in 1994 after the destruction of the Old city of Mostar was by far of. Or what my family our article on this one key part of the original bridge, they acknowledge the of. Are waiting for you, I am SJ and this is the guide you! In 1994 after the destruction of the bridge was also destroyed other people can claim theyve joined the metre-high. The Mile high club, allowing you to jump correctly record you bad by unlucky.. My technique was to stand there over the barrier, you 'll see images all over the barrier, must! Or break it third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website jumped... Bridge goes back hundreds of others who have completed the jump do what he says, take time... Is served right beside Stari Most really is one of the dive club, many... To pay for the jump me on my adventures a bridge who has come before have! Images all over the world are inevitable guests of this pearl was drawn a. Bad for me Most really is one of the bridge and, Most people visitingSplit or Dubrovnikin Croatia will you! Dubrovnikin Croatia will take you back up in the Croat-Bosniak war that the Old city of -... Alongside the hundreds of others who have completed the jump this makes me feel sick time... Trip by train from Sarajevo to Mostar to see them perform their death-defying leaps into the record! Misfortune we didnt catch any ghost stories turned on in Mostar, because ashore. Doesnt really matter what you wear underneath there over the barrier, you must relax and take pride.
