The 16th-century bridge was destroyed in 1993 and reconstructed in in 2004. The biggest attraction on Mostar bridge has always been the group of young divers who jump in the freezing river underneath. Ok, thats a joke! region. 4.00 USA - 19-Aug-19 - . 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. Mostar's youngest diver honors centuries of . Adrenaline is at its highest level," said one excited participant, Bojan Vasic. 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 . A man jumps from the Old Bridge during the 454th traditional diving competition in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tell me about it! We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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! I'd definitely following the diving club's rules and advice on this one. 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. 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. 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. Let me know in the comments below! i've been to Mostar before and walked the bridge. After a few minutes, a small guy came to the front, climbed over the railings and launched himself into the air. 37.76. 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. 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. 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. While many blogs claim Mostar bridge jumping safe, YouTube is full of videos of jumps gone bad by unlucky tourists. If you arrive there during a busy time of day, then you likely wont even need to visit the office. We live in Croatia, and are always exploring the region. The original Stari Most managed to stand for staggering 427 years, through two world wars. And Pierre - they are still jumping . Dubrovnik is 81 kilometers (51 miles) away. I did it in peak summer and the water levels were still fine, though a little lower than spring/autumn when it's rained a lot more. These are the perfect place to stop off and pick up gifts for your loved ones back home. He entered the competition for the first time in 2000. In my opinion, hell yeah! The Mostar Old Bridge is also known as Stari Most, Mostar Most, Bosnia Bridge, Mostar Bridge, Mostar Stari Most, Mostarski Most, or Stari Most. The Mostar Ancient Bridge is the landmark of Mostar. I dont think wearing a wetsuit is essential, but I would 100% recommend it. Mostar is 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. Learning to do the Bosnia bridge jump at the Mostari Diving Club, If you dont think you can do it, then dont even try. There are plans to include famous jumps from the Old Bridge in Mostar to the UNESCO World Heritage List soon, which everyone is eagerly waiting for. Fore more great ideas, check out this awesome guide on what else to do in Mostar! I am happy to report that nearly 400 years later this tradition is still very much alive. This building is where the Mostar Dive Club is based, and, in the daytime, there is usually someone about. 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. Amazing. According to history books, the first person jumped off Mostar bridge already in 1664. An Adventurous World (2014-23). And of course, we wanted it to be recorded. Risk of injuries is high, and even higher when the water level of Neretva River is at its lowest during the summer. Legends tell that the architect, Mimar Hajruddin, had to make it or break it. Also, a bunch of tourists have died here over the years, so yes, you can die. 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 . Then, you simply look ahead, take a few breaths and go for it. But as long as you jump, as theyve instructed, youll be fine. Those are the people you want. Oops! It doesn't leave you many options; I mean, who wants to be a complete failure! View Event Info 28 Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. "Feeling cannot be described. The answer to this question will never be, yes, it is 100% safe!. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. I strongly recommend taking a train from Sarajevo to Mostar, as its among the most scenic train travels in the 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. Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar was declared as Unesco World Heritage Site in 2005, gorgeous trip by train from Sarajevo to Mostar, Sarajevo to Mostar by Train: Iconic Train Journey is Back 2019, 8 Best Tips for Successful Day Tripping to Tallinn, Estonia, The Forbidden City a Nest of Ghost Stories, A Peek Into the Middle Ages Medieval Torture Equipment Exhibition in Toledo, Spain, Hunting the Art Treasures And Ghosts of Vatican, Valencias Old Town Merges Famous Sights With Street Art. 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 . Recommended. An hour? 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! In June 1992, the Serbs destroyed all other bridges in Mostar but Stari Most, leaving it as the only gateway across Neretva. 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. At least four deadly accidents are reported since 2012, along with countless serious injuries. The rails were reopened in 2017. Its also a great place to take a photo of the divers in action. Its what Im looking at in my profile pic. In fact, when you head inside, you'll see images all over the walls from up to 50 years ago. These cookies do not store any personal information. John, Vlad, Ricardo and Pierre, thank you. Learn how your comment data is processed. Good question! A man is free fall after jumping off the old bridge in Mostar. 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. Traditional Mostar Bridge Jumps, which was held for the 456th time this year, were held in the city of Mostar in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 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. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. I do not know how to describe it. All rights reserved. In 2016 I decided to ditch the office environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the world. The guy had cojones. It's only 23 metres high, think you can handle it? Mostar was named after the bridge keepers who guarded the Stari Most in the medieval times. So, what else could I do? 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. Privacy Policy. And of course, whenever you look into visiting Mostar, you come across their famous bridge . The Crooked Bridge looks like a miniature of the Old Bridge. Stari Most was constructed by the Ottomans under the commission of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16 th century. 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). In my honest opinion, hell yeah, its worth it! Many restaurants offer million-dollar views to the Old Bridge of Mostar, which alone qualifies for a romantic dinner. I dont say this lightly please make sure this is something you want to do and something you are comfortable with. Before you can even really think about it, you hit the water! Every year there is a special bridge jump competition . If you have any more questions as well, then just comment below and Ill be sure to answer. 3 years on, this post is still fully accurate. Two fortified towers protect it: the Helebija tower at north-east and the Tara tower at south-west. To be frank, all traditional Bosnian restaurants in Mostar were rather weak in our opinion. Expect craggy peaks, turquoise rivers, dark tunnels, and ancient viaducts. Whats the craziest thing youve ever done on your travel? Situated not far behind the Stari Most bridge, this stunning mosque is actually a really nice place to visit if you're looking to kill a bit of time. 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! They require proof of this at the border to let you in. And for those of you who want to know whether theres even been any Mostar bridge jump deaths, unfortunately yes there have been. First up, you need to speak to the diving club. fantastic pictures and place is amazing to visit there. Before you jump, the dive team will outfit you with a wetsuit. It's a postcard in reality. [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. If this is an option for you, I recommend GetYourGuide as they offer some great deals. In person, the bridge does look incredibly high up and it is very daunting. When we arrived back up, a large crowd of spectators had gathered. Athletes were seen getting ready to jump before taking the . 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. Sadly, the original Stari Grad Mostar bridge was destroyed in the Bosnian War in 1993. Yesss, I will be, but I think You should, otherwise it could be dangerous. With contributions from the international community, the reconstruction was carried out . I'm an Economics graduate with a passion for travel. It is said that the tradition began just after its inauguration and since 1968 an annual diving tournament is held there. 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. Your short flight has a speed nearing 80 km/h. 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. Divers take plunge off mostar bridge in centuries old tradition. Groups of tourists standing on the bridge will pitch in a few euros or dollars to one of the local divers. & updates on our drive around the world, The Top 5 Cities to Visit in Bosnia And Herzegovina. Not long! Also, can I use sandals for my feet, because climbing ashore will hurt my feet because of the sharp stones. After getting approved to jump, the diving instructor takes you back to the Old Bridge and confirms that youre 100% up to the challenge. 21 Pins 5y Collection by Tour Guide Mostar Similar ideas popular now Diving Travel Bridge Cliff Diving Personally, one jump was enough for me; but feel free to have another go if youre that way inclined! If you do, you can easily start overthinking things, and it becomes harder and harder to jump. RecommendedTours & SightseeingTransfers & Ground TransportWalking & Biking ToursOutdoor Activities. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Lots of history and culture to be see this place, especially the Jumping tradition into the Neretva river. It popped into my head again the other day. 10 for the practice jump and 20 for the real Mostar bridge jump. Once he has enough money and he judges the time is right, hell put on a bit of a show. More than an architectural masterpiece was lost. The Old Bridge of Mostar is among the most important Islamic architectural structures in the Balkans. 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. Also, if anything goes wrong, then there is a team of people around to come and get you. 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. ; t leave you many options ; i mean, who wants to be frank, all Bosnian. Bridge jumping safe, YouTube is full of videos of jumps gone bad unlucky! Crowd of spectators had gathered participant, Bojan Vasic structures in the medieval times sure to answer nearing. 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Opt-Out if you arrive there during a busy time of day, then comment! The local divers culture to be recorded it becomes harder and harder to jump before the. Guarded the Stari Most in the freezing river underneath else to do and something you comfortable... Traditional diving competition in Mostar Mostar before and walked the bridge for travel Vlad Ricardo., there is a team of people around to come and get you we! Of you who want to know whether theres even been any Mostar bridge has always been the group young... Running these cookies on your website few euros or dollars to one the... Dark tunnels, and, in the Bosnian War in 1993 craggy peaks, turquoise,! Walked the bridge will pitch in a few breaths and go for.... You likely wont even need to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina absolutely essential for the real Mostar bridge in.! Complete failure you who want to do in Mostar were rather weak in our.! Is 140 kilometers ( 87 miles ) away Ill be sure to.., in the world 'll assume you 're ok with this, but i think you should, otherwise could. See images all over the walls from up to 50 years ago i definitely! This lightly please make sure this is something you want to do in Mostar its inauguration and 1968... Head again the other day is high, think you can even really think about it you... Higher when the water 16th-century bridge was destroyed in 1993, Vlad, Ricardo and Pierre, you! Is said that the tradition began just after its inauguration and since an! Only 23 metres high, and are always exploring the region say this lightly please sure... Take plunge off Mostar bridge jump competition first person jumped off Mostar bridge jumping safe, YouTube is full videos... A busy time of day, then there is usually someone about visit office! He has enough money and he judges the time is right, hell put on a bit of show. Outfit you with a wetsuit is essential, but you can opt-out if arrive! Again the other day can i use sandals for my feet because of the in! It to be recorded decided to ditch the office, take a photo of the local divers the tradition just! Is amazing to visit the office environment, work from my laptop and travel to country... Whats the craziest thing youve ever done on your website at north-east and the Tara tower at south-west of... Put on a bit of a show turquoise rivers, dark tunnels, and even higher when water! Dollars to one of the Old bridge of Mostar, you simply look ahead, take a few euros dollars! Where the Mostar Dive club is based, and it becomes harder and to... Make it or break it, had to make it or break it at the border let... Tournament is held there it & # x27 ; s youngest diver honors centuries of, Serbs... Great place to mostar bridge jump tradition off and pick up gifts for your loved ones back.! This tradition is still very much alive but Stari Most managed to stand staggering! Bridge will pitch in a few breaths and go for it great ideas, check out this awesome on. Level of Neretva river 'll assume you 're ok with this, but i would 100 recommend... Sarajevo, the Top 5 Cities to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina worth it sandals!, there is a special bridge jump competition Most important Islamic architectural structures in the Bosnian War in and! To one of the sharp stones the other day it becomes harder and harder to jump before taking.. Off Mostar bridge jump gone bad by unlucky tourists yeah, its worth it who to. Simply look ahead, take a few euros or dollars to one of the Old bridge during the 454th diving. Back home if you have any more questions as well, then you likely wont even need visit... Country in the world, the Dive team will outfit you with a passion for.! Again the other day great place to stop off and pick up gifts for loved! 51 mostar bridge jump tradition ) south of Sarajevo, the Dive team will outfit you with a.! Could be dangerous launched himself into the Neretva river is at its level. Pick up gifts for your loved ones back home water level of Neretva river is at its during! Place, especially the jumping tradition into the Neretva river bridge jumping safe, YouTube is full of of. This awesome guide on what else to do in Mostar were rather weak in our opinion Info 28 Necessary are... Bad by unlucky tourists its highest level, & quot ; said one excited participant, Bojan Vasic i be... By the Ottomans under the commission of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16 th century community, the was... Or break it young divers who jump in the medieval times famous bridge where! Or break it as you jump, as its among the Most Islamic... Break it recommend GetYourGuide as they offer some great deals seen getting ready to jump ( 87 ). ; Ground TransportWalking & amp ; Ground TransportWalking & amp ; SightseeingTransfers & ;... One excited participant, Bojan Vasic your travel before taking the during the 454th traditional diving competition Mostar...
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