This is definitely something that not everyone knows about. I'll leave this to the professionals. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. His technique was pretty good. Mostar Bridge Jump Guide (From Someone Who Jumped). Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. sarajevo bosnia and hercegovina dubrovnik 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! T he bridge in the middle of Mostar is the spiritual and social heart of the city. That rapid deceleration is why it is critical to have all of your limbs tucked in when you hit the water. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. If I slipped while climbing over the railing I would fall uncontrollably into the river below. She compressed/fractured 3 vertebrate. Travel insurance doesn't normally cover this kind of stuff, obviously. OK, now weve covered a few basic concerns; lets get onto the juicy bits, how you go about jumping the Stari Most. 27-meter jump is not a joke. Looking in control. He possessesthe physique and importantly, the courageousness, of the average man. After settling a deal with Mostar diving club, the bridge jumping candidate is given a short briefing and a wetsuit to fight the coldness of Neretva. He says that unfortunately this year, none of the long-standing jumpers will dare to perform swallow flight. Fatalities happen and the risk of injury is quite high. I am planning on doing this if possible, do any of you have any experience with this and willing to share. He will give you lots of tips that are extremely useful if you want to avoiddislocating a limb. Just go and speak to one of those guys; tell them you want to do the Mostar Bridge jump, dont be shy; they are very friendly and helpful. As a part of 1990 Croat-Bosniak conflict, the Old Bridge of Mostar was bombed down by the Croat troops in 1993. That would have made it difficult to bail out without losing face. Hayden Just before sunset, the cream-colored stone surface of Stari Most turns golden, shimmering upon the beautifully renovated old town of Mostar. All rights reserved. I knew I only had one shot at this thing. Hows the jump, then? Your rational mind takes over very quickly. The trains run all the way to Capljina near the Croatian coast, from where you can take a bus to Dubrovnik, Split, or Makarska. 45'. Hell eventually reach his climax of wowing the crowd with a death-defying Stari Most bridge jump. Be prepared to the cold river and wear a wetsuit if its provided or just bathe in cold water. I'm 70 years of age, in good shape and there's still one scary moment to do. The Ottoman sultan was so tired of unsuccessful bridge building attempts that he threatened to execute every failing architect. We witness a daring and incredibly high bridge jump in Mostar, Bosnia. An odd paradox and a thought I had to suppress. However, most of the jumpers will be from Mostar. 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. Were these fatalities unlucky tourists? In 2015, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series was held in Mostar. It doesn't leave you many options; I mean, who wants to be a complete failure! We then got invited into the Mostar Dive Club to sign the admissions book and receive our certificates. So what makes the Old Bridge of Mostar so unique? They say that only the most skilled and best trained should jump, and that certainly wasnt me. Hi! I think I performed better in the warmups, but he had pretty much nailed his jump. It was made with 456 blocks of white stone, held together by a system of anchors and dowels. An hour? Standing on the edge of Mostar bridge, looking at the fast-flowing river 24 metres below, I couldnt help thinking I had made a serious mistake. There will be lots of handshaking and high-fives at this point; its excellent! Safe to Sightsee Without a Tour & Hotel Recommendations, Border Crossing to Montenegro by Bus Any Problems, Very good central hotel Sarajevo and Mostarar, See All Bosnia and Herzegovina Conversations, Has anyone travelled by train Mostar - Sarajevo, Car rental companies allowed into Bosnia - help clarify. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Bizarre Globe Hopper. I could not walk without pain for several days after and must have strained every ligament in my groin. 'Old Bridge'), also known as Mostar Bridge, is a rebuilt 16th-century Ottoman bridge in the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina that crosses the river Neretva and connects the two parts of the city. From that height, you hit the water at 80 km/h. 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. Keep your form: be careful not to lean backward or forward. This year, as in previous years, participants will certainly come from all countries of the former Yugoslavia. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The town is surrounded by mountains. It is the shining light in Mostar, a city where the Neretva River snakes its way through the picturesque Mostar valley. Not only had he performed the jump, but had done so 3 times. The jump costs 35 (10 for the training and 25 for the Old Bridge jump). He never jumped on his feet. Or perhaps you rotate backward on the way down and land on your back. 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. Then, just do exactly what youve been taught so far and step off. Many locals can tell you openly that its definitely not safe to jump off Mostar Bridge. Safe for tourists to jump the bridge in Mostar, Re: Safe for tourists to jump the bridge in Mostar, Get answers to your questions about Bosnia and Herzegovina, Last Minute Hotels in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Browse all 4,226 Bosnia and Herzegovina topics , how to check if you have any bans on your Bosnian passport, International Phones or SIM Cards for Balkan Peninsula, The Guardian: Staggering scenery and beautiful towns. This overview shows a short view of all matches of matchday 28 in the 20/21 season. If they say it's okay to jump, then do it! For the last 450 years, Mostar, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been home to the Old Bridge Jump, where people jump off the citys Stari Most bridge, hurling through the air for a few seconds before hitting the freezing water below. Quite cheap, lovely weather, great food and a lot of history. Mike jumped first. Built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, the high-arched, stone bridge is a masterpiece. Thanks for sharing this experience. In fact, theres a good chance you will have seen people jumping or diving from the bridge in the past. I've seen that there have four fatalities in modern times. Tell me about it! Stari Most (English: Old Bridge) is a reconstruction of a 16th-century Ottoman bridge in the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina that crosses the river Neretva and connects two parts of the city. In fact, most people visitingSplit or Dubrovnikin Croatia will take a day trip to Mostar to see the iconic bridge. Good to know! Andalusia in south Spain is amazing: Sevilla, Granada, Crdoba and Cdiz are just lovely to visit. Yeah, it can be really bad. What To Pack For Greece A man jumps from the Old Bridge during the 454th traditional diving competition in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sinan was the chief Ottoman architect of Suleyman the Magnificent. The plunge is about 78 feet from the top of the arched bridge to the incredibly cold waters below. 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. Local ikari know the art of bridge jumping and the risks. It was such an amazing experience, and in nearly ten years only about 750 foreigners have jumped off Stari Most, so its one of the most unique things to do in Mostar. . We thought, wow how lucky was that that we turned up and straight away there was somebody on the bridge ready to jump. Like this post? Very lucky to have my jump captured from multiple angles. Before the wooden supports of Old Bridge were removed, Mimar Hajruddin had already started digging his own grave. It really wasn't long, because it's not much training. The Old Bridge of Mostar is among the most important Islamic architectural structures in the Balkans. I want to jump it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You dont need a plan to visit Mostar Bridge: just go there and everything will get to you. You become a lifetime member of the Mostar Dive Club on completion of your dive. Celebrate it by going out for a couple of beers afterwards. 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. But if you do the practice jumps and then decide that the full jump is not for you, you only have to pay the initial 10 Euros. Crooked Bridge is just a 5-minute stroll away from the Old Bridge and surrounded by restaurants. 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. There are bullet-ridden and bombed out buildings right next to modern and updated buildings. There are always a couple of guys from the dive club hanging around the bridge and theyre usually wearing swimming suits. Also, a bunch of tourists have died here over the years, so yes, you can die. To be honest, I was pretty stoked to see the crowds build and gather. The diving club installed a platform beside the temporary suspension bridge and carried on with their annual bridge diving competition. For the last eight years, she has been a lifestyle journalist for. 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. The old bridge was over 400 years old but was destroyed during the Bosnian war in 1993. A Canadian girl had joined us from one of the other hostels. Cdiz claims to be the oldest city in western Europe with a 3,000 years of history. Yes, its a Bosnian legend: jumping off Mostar Bridge is how a boy becomes a man in Mostar! Whats the craziest thing youve ever done on your travel? Climbing the railing. That was about 5 years ago. I've seen videos of people jump of it and read stories. 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Learning to do the Bosnia bridge jump at the Mostari Diving Club, If you dont think you can do it, then dont even try. Mostar Jumper Photographic Print By Rob Hawkins $16.54 Stari most u Mostaru, BiH Photographic Print By Anja975 $14.70 Mostar Photographic Print By S-A-D-art-craft $14.70 Mostar Old Bridge Photographic Print By Timothy Pendlebury $15.93 Mostar bridge - Bosnia And Herzegovina Photographic Print By Zirrko $17.15 Stari Most dusk Photographic Print Stari Most ( Serbo-Croatian: Stari most, , lit. 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. It was 30 minutes? Privacy Policy. Its a fair deal, as eager tourists are willing to pay for the show and pictures, and the diver still risks his life for the thrill. Water temperature hardly ever reaches 10 degrees, so it will be a cold dip for sure. What does that mean? I should point out, that the jump in question is around 24m in height. By the 1550s Ottoman . fantastic pictures and place is amazing to visit there. Nice weather for the occasion. So technically, the current bridge is not old, but its still a replica of the old bridge. It was ethnically rooted civil war, were neighbors and loved ones were set against each other. I'm healthy, fit and in my early 50s, and want to do it before I'm much older? Ask one of the bridge jumpers if you can't find it and they will show you. Slipping is dangerous because then you cannot prepare your body for hitting the water. The first Siege of Mostar was fought in 1992; the second Siege of Mostar lasted from 1993 to 1994. I only jumped with the professional supervision of someone who does this day in day out. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Mostar Bridge, also known as the Stari Most ('Old Bridge'), is a reconstructed 16th century Ottoman bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Climbing over the railing to get in position was a strange feeling. I say this because he wasn't dead. As is normal with Stari Most bridge jumps, as soon someone is about to jump tourists begin to crowd around, mostly out of morbid curiosity. 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. If youre a thrill-seeker and figuring out what to do in Mostar, bridge jumping is definitely an amazing experience. And thats when I launched myself off the side of the bridge into the river below. Severe bruising is the most common injury, but too many people also tell about broken bones, dislocated limbs, and even spine injuries. After I had successfully completed my jump I screamed with joy from the water. Definitely visit oneday, Drugi put kada dodjes vodim te dole i srednju Bosnu, Your email address will not be published. Sadly, the original Stari Grad Mostar bridge was destroyed in the Bosnian War in 1993. In June 1992, the Serbs destroyed all other bridges in Mostar but Stari Most, leaving it as the only gateway across Neretva. The Mostar Bridges height is around 29 meters in full length and is approximately 4 meters wide. This bridge, just like the Old Town, is under the protection of UNESCO, and is often cited as one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. 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. In a previous career I was an engineer, now I am trying to make my way in the world as a travel writer andblogger. When considering whether to attempt this jump, I and other Australians find this fact quitepersuasive. Bosnia and Herzegovina was a surprise, little I knew about the country and I got in love with it, specially with Mostar. Luckily for me health and safety wasnt an issue here. What To Pack For Croatia 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. An Adventurous World (2014-23). Hamish and Andy were in there. It it Ill tell you all about what its like doing this jump, and whether there have been any Mostar bridge deaths. Risk of injuries is high, and even higher when the water level of Neretva River is at its lowest during the summer. 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). Your email address will not be published. Some of the original limestones were rescued from the bottom of the Neretva River to celebrate the resurrection of Stari Most. The force and impact often causes severe bruising. Yes, do. One of the terraces makes a perfect dinner spot. The scars of war run still deep and bullet-ridden facades can be seen around Mostar, especially in the eastern part. Better yet, as you come back above the surface, you are greeted by dozens of spectators clapping and cheering you for your effort. I read that for 25eu you can pay the diving club and they will train u for a bit and stuff. 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. 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. Mostar is most known for its Old Bridge (Stari Most) - a gorgeous 400-plus year old bridge that was destroyed during the war, but reconstructed later and re-opened in 2004. All in all, it doesn't take long from booking the jump to actually doing it. /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. Question Hello all, In the summer im going to visit Mostar in Bosnia, one of the most famous things there is the big bridge. Instead, there always seems to be at least one or two guys milling around on the bridge in their Speedos. Earlier in the year, we decided to visit Mostar and experience the place for ourselves. It popped into my head again the other day. The Crooked Bridge looks like a miniature of the Old Bridge. For hundreds of years, the Mostar bridge has stood as an icon of multicultural coexistence, connecting the east banks Muslim and west banks Catholic communities. 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). Theres another tower at the eastern end of Stari Most called Tara, wheres the. In 2004, he won the title for the first time. Interestingly the old bridge area is fascinating as the bridge with its Ottoman buildings, which houses cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. 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. Feet looking excellent! Hey, I am SJ and this is my family. Crowds gather and cheer when he dives into the river. My Friends dad is from Mostar and she wants the bridge to be the main eye catcher in her first big university project. Be careful at the bridge and only jump when youre ready to do it in a good form. Reply Growing in confidence, I began explaining tootherpeople that if I had found someone else to jump with, I would have. Old Bridge) is a rebuilt 16th-century Ottoman bridge in the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina that crosses the river Neretva and connects the two parts of the city. The tradition of jumping is 451 years old. The next morning at about 10 am, very hungover, Mike and I and a few others wandered down to the bridge. Readmy backpacking travel to guide Mostar formore information. He didn't stick the landing and dislocated his arm. Well, you will splash against the green Neretva River in 3 seconds after jumping off Stari Most. But lets dig deeper into the history and tragic legends of Stari Most! We need you around! It was completed in 1566 after nines years of building and the . amazing blog. These cookies do not store any personal information. After a few years, an international scientific committee was established by UNESCO and arranged a team for the reconstruction of the bridge, along with many parts of the Old Town, which were also damaged and destroyed. Official annual bridge-jumping competitions started in 1968 and are still held each summer. 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. Next, I had to step off the edge. Here is the best travel insurance for the Balkans. But Mostar is gorgeous and one of the most culturally fascinating cities I've been to. It documents a couple of Aussie comedians and their travels around Europe and the mischief they get into. Even the local diving club is named Mostarski Ikari. Primarily because neither Hamish nor Andyare athletes. We live in Croatia, and are always exploring the region. You are like gazelle leaping into the air! I felt pumped up, elated, and I wanted to do it again. Legs together, hands covering my nuts. Then, each candidate must practice safe jumping at a 10-meter high training platform downstream from Stari Most. I was still feeling it about 5 days later while exploring Sarajevo and then Plitvice Lakes in Croatia. Thank you for sharing. 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. When driving through Bosnia Herzegovina, one of the best things you can do is the Mostar Bridge jump! The 'new' old bridge was opened in 2004 and it's a marvellous sight. That was indeed crazy! Thanks! The Old Bridge (Stari Most) is an imposing sight in the city. 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. It was lightly drizzling. Mar 6, 2017 - Old Bridge jumping traditional annual competition in diving organized every year in mid summer (end of July). 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. Is this safe? 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. Then I hit the water. Andrea Romano is a writer and editor in New York City. As such, it doesnt really matter what you wear underneath. Privacy Policy. Many tourists have also had a change of hearts before seeing the bridge and standing up there looking down: 24-28 meters doesnt sound like much, but it looks daunting for sure. June 2, 2022 by by Top Tips for Finding the Right Work-Life Balance, Things to do in London that You Might Not Know About. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Bruises, dislocated joints, broken bones and compressed spines are common injuries for jumpers with poor technique. Stari Most is 13 ft (4 meters) wide, 100 ft (30 . Still, its a stunning landmark and icon of peace known all over the world. And for those of you who want to know whether theres even been any Mostar bridge jump deaths, unfortunately yes there have been. 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! If not, its just not for you. cigna new york life short term disability. 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. Then, the instructor helps you through the crowds to the middle of the bridge and helps you climb over the railing. During the summertime, the diving club members take turns in jumping off the bridge for money. I had to wait a few moments for Mike to get out of the water. 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. 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! They will give you a wetsuit (the water is very cold) and take you to a 10-metre pool diving board for you to practice a couple times. We travel & write about food, accomm & the best things to do in the Balkans. Firstly, there was anAustralian T.V show titled 'Hamish and Andy's Gap Year'. 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. Were these fatalities unlucky tourists? I'm not too sure I'd do it again though - I think once was enough for me! Proper bridge jumping technique needs get approved: at first, youll get a couple of jumps to prove that you can do it. Stari Most (lit. It was so worth it. The story goes that young men jumped off the bridge to impress passing dignitaries in hopes of earning a little money and proving their manhood. 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. A Friend and I would like to use the following picture for our own Art. After nine years of labor, the Old Bridge of Mostar was finally completed in 1566. 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.. I must admit that every year I enjoy jumping more and more, I think I am ready enough to win the first place again. Do you try this without any guidance! Medieval torture equipment exhibition in Toledo, Spain, peeks into the Middle Ages a time of the Inquisition and a system of extreme cruelty. 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. 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. The Mostar bridge jump in Bosnia costs 25 euros per person. They dive club will take you to a spot a hundred metres downstream from the Stari Most where a ~10m platform is set up. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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. 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. That day, tourists from all over the world are inevitable guests of this pearl. Bad river conditions? How can you say no to that? Offers may be subject to change without notice. If you visited Mostar, you would have seenthe Stari Mostandeither some nutbag traveller or some entrepreneurial local jumping from it (in exchange for tips). The 451st annual bridge jump and diving competition took place on Sunday, July 30. Old Town, a Soviet-era prison, Patarei, trendy restaurants, nice craft beer scene. The tradition of jumping off the bridge in Mostar began in 1664.