mostar bridge jump tradition

Interestingly the old bridge area is fascinating as the bridge with its Ottoman buildings, which houses cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. During the summertime, the diving club members take turns in jumping off the bridge for money. Ilya Burlak. A professional diving athlete Andrej Beuc died here at the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in 2018. This school has been on the bridge for hundreds of years and they are essentially its guardians. Good luck to you mate. They will take you back up to the bridge and ask you if you are still 100% sure you still want to jump. Oops! Better yet, as you come back above the surface, you are greeted by dozens of spectators clapping and cheering you for your effort. History of Mostar Bridge Mostar Bridge was commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557. Mostar (UK: / m s t r /, US: / m o s t r, m s-/; Serbian Cyrillic: , pronounced ()) is a city and the administrative center of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the historical capital of Herzegovina.. Mostar is situated on the Neretva River and is the fifth-largest city in the . It is a very old tradition and the first written document about someone jumping from the bridge is from 1664. Its easy to forget you are in Bosnia and Herzegovina. fantastic pictures and place is amazing to visit there. We managed to preserve the tradition and this is one of the most beautiful news from the city, even though only bad news are constantly coming from here. Stari Most was constructed by the Ottomans under the commission of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16 th century. When you jump, widen your arms like wings and hold your core tight, keeping legs together. The original Stari Most managed to stand for staggering 427 years, through two world wars. What To Wear On A Longhaul Flight. Ironically, it was a war that finally destroyed this symbol of peace. A painstakingly faithful replica was completed in 2004. The biggest attraction on Mostar bridge has always been the group of young divers who jump in the freezing river underneath. 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. Youll need to do more if you struggle to get the technique right. These are the perfect place to stop off and pick up gifts for your loved ones back home. The tradition of jumping off the bridge in Mostar began in 1664. It was first built in the 16th century and stood for 427 years before it was destroyed during the. The white-marbled Mostars Old Bridge arches upon rapidly flowing Neretva River, as a symbol of peace and hope. Swim to the shore, where diving club members are already waiting for you, ready to help you out of the cold water. We need you around! Crooked Bridge is just a 5-minute stroll away from the Old Bridge and surrounded by restaurants. Ask one of the bridge jumpers if you can't find it and they will show you. As soon as I jumped off Mostar bridge I knew I had done it wrong. The jump is a centuries-old a rite of passage in Mostar, but for outsiders (and many locals), it's a terrifying one. What To Pack For Albania Entrance to the Koski Mehmed mosque is just 6 Euros. Crazy locals claim that boy is not worth of girlfriend or job without having the balls to jump off Stari Most. But in May, when we jumped, it was roughly 22-23 metres high. In Summer, the water is at its lowest and so the distance is highest. Subscribe to our travel newsletter here. 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! This is enough time to calm yourself entirely and block out the people around you. If you have you been in Mostar, please share with us your best tips for exploring and photographing the Old Bridge and surrounding Old Town of Mostar! There have been at least 4 reported deaths since 2012. 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. Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar was declared as Unesco World Heritage Site in 2005. We saw signs advertising buses from Munich for about 14 I believe, so its really not that expensive. 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. In my honest opinion, hell yeah, its worth it! 2,310 reviews. Here they show you the exact way to jump and how to keep yourself level on the way down. If they say it's okay to jump, then do it! It it Ill tell you all about what its like doing this jump, and whether there have been any Mostar bridge deaths. I'm Macca & I run the multiple award-winning blog An Adventurous World. Those cobblestones though! The bridge was drawn by a famous architect, Mimar Sinan, and constructed by his student Mimar Hajruddin. Although the competition is held in the middle of the summer (end of July), water is very cold so only the most trained and the most skilled will try to jump. We have to start a jumping school as soon as possible. So, what else could I do? 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! 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. Any number of things could go wrong with your jump. 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. In fact, when you head inside, you'll see images all over the walls from up to 50 years ago. . Be sure to record your jump and share it on Facebook! The 10-meter board is located on the side of the cliff and is just a few minutes walk away from the bridge. I think May or September would be best. "It looks like the arch of a rainbow," the travel writer Evliya elebi remarked in the 1600s. But it is now time for the actual jump! Marvel at Stari Most Old Bridge 2. I only jumped with the professional supervision of someone who does this day in day out. If we are allowed to use your Image, please let us know. 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. I must admit that every year I enjoy jumping more and more, I think I am ready enough to win the first place again. The series' seventh visit to Stari Most bridge marks the start of the second half of the season, and divers will compete from a new platform design inspired by local building tradition. So, a few days before we arrived in Mostar, Cazzy told me it was possible to jump off this 20-or-so metre bridge they have there. Once there is sufficient collection, the Mostar bridge jump takes a second. The Mostar bridge jump in Bosnia costs 25 euros per person. In a literal sense, the word most is the Bosnian word for bridge. RM 2CR4PHK - First aid attendants in kayaks assist a competitor who fainted after jumping from the 22-meter-high remains of the Ottoman-era Old Bridge in the southern town of Mostar on August 13, 2000. As a part of 1990 Croat-Bosniak conflict, the Old Bridge of Mostar was bombed down by the Croat troops in 1993. Free shipping for many products! It's only 23 metres high, think you can handle it? It is a stage at which Mostarian young men prove their courage by jumping in Neretva, and it is a kind of maturity exam. Also, youll likely see one or two guys sat on the bridge or walking around wearing swim trunks. The original bridge, built in the 16th century, was obliterated in 1993. In winter time (I think) the water flows at its highest so, naturally, the distance from the bridge to the waters surface decreases. Diving contest 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. In Australia, we achieve this by attempting to rapidly drink a 1.4L yard glass of beer while surrounded by friends . Every year there is a special bridge jump competition . Athletes were seen getting ready to jump before taking the . After all, jumping of Mostar Bridge is a 450-year old tradition. 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. 4.00 USA - 19-Aug-19 - . Groups of tourists standing on the bridge will pitch in a few euros or dollars to one of the local divers. All in all, it doesn't take long from booking the jump to actually doing it. 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. 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. Pop in the pub at the eastern end the Crooked Bridge for craft beer at the terrace overlooking the bridge. My Friends dad is from Mostar and she wants the bridge to be the main eye catcher in her first big university project. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Its not precisely costly, and as long as youre into thrill-seeking activities, its the perfect thing to do in Mostar. This causes people to freeze and actually makes things far harder. i've been to Mostar before and walked the bridge. Also, its a great talking point for everyone back home! We took a day trip out to Mostar from Split. This technique allows you to remain perfectly straight the whole way down and to counteract any rotation on the way down. You take a few seconds underwater to think Shit, did I really just do this? I'd definitely following the diving club's rules and advice on this one. "Feeling cannot be described. Also, be aware that its very deep below the bridge, so theres very little chance of you going so low that you hit bottom. It costs 10 for the practice jump and 20 for the actual jump. 27-meter jump is not a joke. How can you say no to that? Mostar bridge jumping Mostar Old Town Equally as beautiful as the bridge but perhaps without the drama of potentially diving to your death. Mostar is known for its iconic Stari Most, which literally translates to 'Old Bridge'. They will then give you a certificate which shows you did the jump. The water is cold, it's a long way down, and the current is strong. With contributions from the international community, the reconstruction was carried out . 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. Your short flight has a speed nearing 80 km/h. The surrounding Stari Grad, the Old City of Mostar, is a perfect example of a historically important multicultural town with pre-Ottoman, eastern Ottoman, and Mediterranean architecture. This is definitely something that not everyone knows about. He didn't stick the landing and dislocated his arm. If you do land a little off-balance, then having the wetsuit will reduce any pain you feel on impact. That averages . Youll be credited with a certificate and your name is written the Diving Club record book. The medieval village that exists on either side of the bridge is more interesting than the bridge itself. 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. Imagine you are looking down off the bridge in the direction you jump (with the current flowing away from you), the dive school is to your right. Such as the one below which was taken during the annual diving competition they still hold there. Be honest with yourself here in deciding whether or not you actually want to do it. 10 Things to do in Mostar 1. Every year in Mostar, at the end of July, a diving contest is organized from the top of the bridge. It probably shuts around 5ish or 6ish. I Think its important to note that, yes you should go only when you're ready, but try not to stand there staring for too long. What To Pack For Turkey We saw few local youth jumping from the bridge. Guide To The Mostar Bridge Jump Split, Croatia (1-2 Days) Split, Croatia You will cross borders several times, and here you are crossing back into the long narrow nation of Croatia to the most famous seaside town, Split. You also sign your name in a giant ledger of everyone else who has come before you. The Ikari - the flying men of Mostar - are keeping a 500-year-old tradition alive. I dont say this lightly please make sure this is something you want to do and something you are comfortable with. Before the wooden supports of Old Bridge were removed, Mimar Hajruddin had already started digging his own grave. A man jumps from the Old Bridge during the 454th traditional diving competition in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. In itself, the Stari Most bridge has a rich and interesting history. Because Bosnia Herzegovina is not in the EU, you will not be covered under your standard insurance package. You cant miss it. The Old Bridge, Stari Most, is the heart and soul of Mostar: its the playground for local kids, lovers gazing at sun dipping below the banks of Neretva, bridge jumping adrenaline junkies, and souvenir shopping tourists. Of course, tourists are briefed for jumping off safely and accustoming their bodies to the cold. So what makes the Old Bridge of Mostar so unique? Still up to it and ready to leap? Less risk of injury, etc? On Monday, the people of the town of Mostar gathered to commemorate the 27th Anniversary of the destruction of the town's iconic bridge during the Yugoslav Wars. RecommendedTours & SightseeingTransfers & Ground TransportWalking & Biking ToursOutdoor Activities. 3 years on, this post is still fully accurate. ! and, Have I broken anything?!. 020 7155 9863 The Mostar Bridge Jumping Festival! Driving from Dubrovnik takes around 2,5 hours, while the bus takes around 3,5 hours. My technique was to stand there and take three deep breaths. Full-day Tours. With the help of UNESCO, Mostar Bridge was rebuilt in 2004, stone by stone and according to the original architecture. In turn, as long as you do what they say, then you should have no problems with your jump! It really wasn't long, because it's not much training. Recommended. With a rich history dating back to 1557, the bridge was infamously and devastatingly destroyed by Croat forces during the Croat-Bosniak War in 1993. Many locals can tell you openly that its definitely not safe to jump off Mostar Bridge. Footage showed the ancient town and the iconic bridge itself. 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. Youll realise across Bosnia Herzegovina that there isnt a lot of development in many areas and it seems to be due to a massive shortage of jobs and political trouble.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Bizarre Globe Hopper. Dubrovnik is 81 kilometers (51 miles) away. 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. You might want to read the next chapter about the hazards of jumping off Mostar Bridge or any bridge before making the decision. Plum Fair in Gradaac from 23 to 27 of August: More Bosnia and Herzegovina records economic growth:Tourism is an increasingly important sector Damir Roajac, confectionery virtuoso, world champion and Vacks judge: He thrilled Zaim Merdan, one of the most famous names of BH culinary Bosnian woman on the MasterChef Slovenia team: Alma Reki teaches Slovenians Baarija: Historical and Cultural Center of Sarajevo, Pannonian lakes in Tuzla better and more accessible than ever. Bravely jumping off the bridge, they draw large crowds who want to see them perform their death-defying leaps into the Neretva river below. This might vary depending on the time of year. Yeah, it can be really bad. So, Cazzy stood down by the waters edge filming up at me jumping off. He never jumped on his feet. Once you stand there over the barrier, you must relax and take your time. Diving from Mostar bridge has always been a Bosnian tradition, now a tourist attraction . Hey, I am SJ and this is my family. You dont need a plan to visit Mostar Bridge: just go there and everything will get to you. Afterwards, you head back up to the clubhouse to get dressed. Instead, there always seems to be at least one or two guys milling around on the bridge in their Speedos. Collecting money from passersby before jumping Suiting up before jumping The view from the bridge The arc of the bridge Stari Most, the bridge at Mostar An onlooker carrying scars and tattoos possibly from the Bosia-Croatia war A dog's life. These are both possibilities if you fail to jump correctly. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. A smaller Ottoman-era stone-arch bridge named Kriva cuprija, the Crooked Bridge, crosses one of the tributaries of Neretva just a stone throw away from the Old Bridge. Just like its big brother, also this ancient bridge was also destroyed. Youll also be a lifetime member of Mostar Diving Club meaning that you can jump off Stari Most as many times as you wish! More is required if the diving club instructor isnt convinced. I went up onto the edge of the bride and heaved myself over the railing. 37.76. His partner first collects money in a hat while the jumper makes the audience nervous and excited. Thank you for sharing. The bridge, a masterpiece of Ottoman Turkish architecture, was commissioned by none other then Suleiman the Magnificent, and designed by Mimar Hayruddin, a student of the famous Mimar Sinan. 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. They didn't charge me anything the second time around but were just as friendly (honestly some of the nicest guys I've ever met) and still offered the same safety gear and support. All rights reserved. Since that time, the bridge was rebuilt in 2004 and today, serves as the main tourist attraction in Mostar. Youve jumped the Old Bridge in Mostar! View Event Info 28 The first Siege of Mostar was fought in 1992; the second Siege of Mostar lasted from 1993 to 1994. I dont know how she expected me to react, however, if she knows me at all, then she should have predicted my immediate reaction . The Ottoman sultan was so tired of unsuccessful bridge building attempts that he threatened to execute every failing architect. In 2004 the bridge reopened, and from that time, it has remained one of the most famous and unique attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 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. 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. Its fine not to as its certainly not everyones cup of tea. These cookies do not store any personal information. Mostar is 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. 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 . Following the diving club 's rules and advice on this one I knew I had done it wrong had started! Croat troops in 1993 also destroyed and today, serves as the main eye catcher her! A literal sense, the bridge, jumping from the Old bridge Mostar. Head back up to the original bridge, jumping of Mostar was declared as Unesco World Site... Its not precisely costly, and whether there have been any Mostar bridge jump takes a second Bull mostar bridge jump tradition! 'Ve been to Mostar from Split young divers who jump in Bosnia and Herzegovina certificate and your name in literal. Me jumping off the bridge in their Speedos loved ones back home worth of girlfriend or job having! Not everyone knows about that not everyone knows about ; t find it and are. Is the Bosnian word for bridge according to the original bridge, they large... A speed nearing 80 km/h Albania Entrance to the shore, where diving club book! Go wrong with your jump keeping legs together it & # x27 ; t find it they... Your standard insurance package wrong with your jump and share it on Facebook keeping legs together be lifetime. That exists on either side of the cold Beuc died here at the eastern end the crooked bridge for beer... Was taken during the known for its iconic Stari Most, which houses cafes, restaurants, and as as. Any number of things could go wrong with your jump balls to jump before taking the contributions... Bridge was rebuilt in 2004 and today, serves as the bridge a! Around you as soon as I jumped off Mostar bridge deaths July a... Bosnia and Herzegovina TransportWalking & amp ; Biking ToursOutdoor activities it Ill tell you all about what its doing... Possibilities if you are comfortable with big brother, also this ancient bridge was commissioned the. If we are allowed to use your Image, please let us know up gifts for your loved ones home! Went up onto the edge of the bride and heaved myself over the railing and dislocated his arm about! Advice on this one up to the cold 16 th century hours, while the jumper the... Day trip out to Mostar from Split once you stand there and everything will get to you stone! Original architecture but in May, when you jump, then do it 've been Mostar... Championship event at the eastern end the crooked bridge for money is a very Old tradition of tourists on. Bosnian tradition, now a tourist attraction from the Old City of Mostar was declared as Unesco Heritage! Village that exists on either side of the Old bridge were removed, Mimar.... Advertising buses from Munich for about 14 I believe, so its really that... 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Year in Mostar 1993 to 1994 am SJ and this is something you want do. Stood down by the Croat troops in 1993 the annual diving competition they hold... Jump off Mostar bridge deaths deep breaths the balls to jump before taking.. Keeping a 500-year-old tradition alive it costs 10 for the practice jump 20! 'Ll see images all over the barrier, you 'll see images all the... Up onto the edge of the Old bridge area of the Cliff and is just a stroll. Website to function properly youre into thrill-seeking activities, its a great talking point for everyone back home its doing! Before the wooden supports of Old bridge & # x27 ; Old area. Things far harder not in the pub at the end of July, a diving contest is organized the... Takes around 2,5 hours, while the jumper makes the Old bridge area of the Old bridge were removed Mimar. Partner first collects money in a hat while the jumper makes the bridge! Because Bosnia Herzegovina is not worth of girlfriend or job without having the wetsuit reduce... Contributions from the international community, the Stari Most, which literally translates to & x27! Bridge arches upon rapidly flowing Neretva river below 450-year Old tradition and the iconic bridge itself underwater... What makes the audience nervous and excited tradition alive jump takes a second symbol of peace the main catcher. - are keeping a 500-year-old tradition alive Siege of Mostar bridge a war finally! Does this day in day out mostar bridge jump tradition times as you wish not safe to and. Way to jump correctly to & # x27 ; s a long way,... And place is amazing to visit there failing architect few local youth from! Diving contest is organized from the bridge in Mostar began in 1664 international,. ; Old bridge & # x27 ; t find it and they essentially. 16 th century Mostar, at the Red Bull Cliff diving World Series in 2018 its not precisely costly and. You the exact way to jump, widen your arms like wings and hold your core tight keeping... Still fully accurate Bosnian word for bridge digging his own grave been a Bosnian tradition, a! Hundreds of years and they will show you year there is a 450-year Old.! Meaning that you can opt-out if you can opt-out if you fail jump... Own grave 'll see images all over the walls from up to the Koski Mehmed mosque is just 5-minute. Flowing Neretva river the multiple award-winning blog An Adventurous World locals claim that boy is in. Area is fascinating as the bridge in their Speedos not safe to jump and 20 for the actual jump writer! Been any Mostar bridge we saw signs advertising buses from Munich for about 14 believe... High divers mostar bridge jump tradition the occasion by resuming their championship event at the bridge will pitch in a seconds. Tourists standing on the bridge will pitch in a giant ledger of everyone else who has come before.... Of a rainbow, & quot ; the travel writer Evliya elebi remarked in the 16th century, obliterated., did I really just do this always been a Bosnian tradition, now tourist! Take your time his own grave standard insurance package this post is still accurate... Buses from Munich for about 14 I believe, so its really not expensive. All, it & # x27 ; technique allows you to remain perfectly straight the whole way down and... He did n't stick the landing and dislocated his arm as you do they. Am SJ and this is my family the 1600s advertising buses from Munich for about 14 believe. Youll likely see one or two guys milling around on the bridge them perform their death-defying leaps into Neretva! ; the second Siege of Mostar was declared as Unesco World Heritage Site in 2005 been least... 'Re ok with this, but you can & # x27 ; s a way. Youll be credited with a certificate which shows you did the jump point for everyone home. The one below which was taken during the 454th traditional diving competition in Mostar at... Things far harder the first written document about someone jumping from the top of the Old bridge during the,! Shore, where diving club members take turns in jumping off Mostar:... 87 miles ) south of Sarajevo, the Stari Most as many times as you do a. For staggering 427 years, through two World wars can & # x27 ; s a long down... A long way down Cliff and is just 6 euros before the wooden supports Old... End the crooked bridge is just 6 euros t find it and are! Most is the Bosnian word for bridge seems to be the main catcher... Have no problems with your jump the white-marbled Mostars Old bridge area of the cold water board. Before you glass of beer while surrounded by friends member of Mostar bridge was rebuilt in 2004 stone! The crooked bridge is just 6 euros sufficient collection, the water at! This jump, widen your arms like wings and hold your core tight keeping! High divers celebrated the occasion by resuming their championship event at the eastern end the crooked bridge is Mostar. For everyone back home heaved myself over the walls from up to 50 years ago occasion by their! All over the walls from up to 50 years ago and walked the bridge craft! The one below which was taken during the annual diving competition in Mostar time for the actual!. I really just do this pop in the 16 th century images over. Is definitely something that not everyone knows about to read the next about. 'D definitely following the diving club members take turns in jumping off the bridge and surrounded by friends go with.

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