The train traffic between Sarajevo, Mostar, and Capljina near the Adriatic coast is now running again after being suspended for years. The Mostar Bridges height is around 29 meters in full length and is approximately 4 meters wide. Then, the instructor helps you through the crowds to the middle of the bridge and helps you climb over the railing. We took a day trip out to Mostar from Split. 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. Mostar Bridge. The 451st annual bridge jump and diving competition took place on Sunday, July 30. It is beautiful and the area around it is also beautiful. It really wasn't long, because it's not much training. All rights reserved. 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. Then, just do exactly what youve been taught so far and step off. Would you ever be as stupid as me and jump off the bridge at Mostar? He didn't stick the landing and dislocated his arm. We need you around! Thanks! If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you do it too? Professional jumpers subject tourists to dousing with water to get accustomed to the temperature and in spite of precautions/strict instructions injuries still happen, no fault of the instructors. I stayed non-committal. As straight as possible. Also, can I use sandals for my feet, because climbing ashore will hurt my feet because of the sharp stones. There will be lots of handshaking and high-fives at this point; its excellent! Health and safety in places like the UK are stringent these days, and this jump is a novel and exciting way to get a hefty adrenaline boost. On November 9, 1993, Croat artillery. Here is the best travel insurance for the Balkans. Personally, one jump was enough for me; but feel free to have another go if youre that way inclined! Official annual bridge-jumping competitions started in 1968 and are still held each summer. As a means to avoid jumping, I told myselfthat I would only jump if I found another traveller to do it with. When we arrived back up, a large crowd of spectators had gathered. If you love meat, you might disagree, though. And thats when I launched myself off the side of the bridge into the river below. Mostarski Ikari Diving Club organizes all bridge jumps for adrenaline rush seeking tourists. The jump costs 35 (10 for the training and 25 for the Old Bridge jump). The tradition of jumping off the bridge in Mostar began in 1664. Were these fatalities unlucky tourists? If anything goes wrong for whatever reason, multiple dive club members are around to help. /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. Bosnia and Herzegovina. I was hopeful for a similar result. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Let me know in the comments below! Be prepared to the cold river and wear a wetsuit if its provided or just bathe in cold water. Every day I go to the gym twice and run twice. Pop in the pub at the eastern end the Crooked Bridge for craft beer at the terrace overlooking the bridge. Mostar Bridge, also known as the Stari Most ('Old Bridge'), is a reconstructed 16th century Ottoman bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Men The answer to this question will never be, yes, it is 100% safe!. Looking in control. You become a lifetime member of the Mostar Dive Club on completion of your dive. Red Bull regularly run a high diving competition from the Mostar bridge. When considering whether to attempt this jump, I and other Australians find this fact quitepersuasive. amazing blog. This is enough time to calm yourself entirely and block out the people around you. Every diver has been recorded in a ledger for posterity. A potential lifesaver. In a previous career I was an engineer, now I am trying to make my way in the world as a travel writer andblogger. Stari Most is 13 ft (4 meters) wide, 100 ft (30 . It's where people meet and gossip, snatch a first kiss or dive into the waters of the river below. This is definitely something that not everyone knows about. I'm Macca & I run the multiple award-winning blog An Adventurous World. His technique was pretty good. I think it combines its striking Ottoman architecture, the beautiful blue Neretva river it crosses, the divers who leap from the jump into the depths of the river, and the long history which has seen it destroyed and then restored from the rubble. The Stari Most and adjoining areas are a valuable historical, cultural and architectural treasure to the world worth preserving, and fortunately, this was recognized by UNESCO, and they took action. mostar bridge jump injuries. Many restaurants offer million-dollar views to the Old Bridge of Mostar, which alone qualifies for a romantic dinner. Such as you leaning forward too much and hitting your face/stomach as you enter the water. If they say it's okay to jump, then do it! Any thoughts on that? Even the local diving club is named Mostarski Ikari. beautiful view on mostar city with old bridge, mosque and ancient buildings on neretva river in bosnia and herzegovina - mostar stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images During the civil war in the former Yugoslavia 1991-1995 the city of Mostar which was part Croat part Moslem was divided in two.The moslem east. My form was actually really good through the air. Our top picks for a great day in Tallinn, Estonia. My technique was to stand there and take three deep breaths. Proper bridge jumping technique needs get approved: at first, youll get a couple of jumps to prove that you can do it. This overview shows a short view of all matches of matchday 28 in the 20/21 season. ? 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. In 2004, he won the title for the first time. Not only had he performed the jump, but had done so 3 times. Hamish and Andy both performed the Mostar bridge jumpon their show. 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! This building is where the Mostar Dive Club is based, and, in the daytime, there is usually someone about. Here you can practice your jump technique under the watchful eye of an experienced diver. Mostar was developed further during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries. At least four deadly accidents are reported since 2012, along with countless serious injuries. Im Hayden I am a backpacker, solo traveller and amateur photographer. Even though it was undoubtedly beautiful, it was also one of the most imposing I have ever seen. I waited a few extra moments for him to get settled and readyto watch my jump. With his plunge in the southern Bosnian city of Mostar, Amir and his friends from the local diving club are honoring a tradition that goes back . The water is shallow so you must do practice jumps first. Be careful at the bridge and only jump when youre ready to do it in a good form. An odd paradox and a thought I had to suppress. 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. Youve jumped 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. Driving from Sarajevo to Mostar takes around 1,5-2 hours, while the buses take around 2,5 hours. That would have made it difficult to bail out without losing face. A professional diving athlete Andrej Beuc died here at the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in 2018. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Also, a bunch of tourists have died here over the years, so yes, you can die. fantastic pictures and place is amazing to visit there. Therefore, it was Igors job to make sure that, at the very least, I didnt kill myself or break my arms. For its time, the bridge was technologically advanced for a single-span stone bridge. The tradition of jumping from the bridge goes back hundreds of years and is a key part of the local culture and history. 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. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Pretty good. Your email address will not be published. Home > Mostar Bridge Jump Guide (From Someone Who Jumped). 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. After a few minutes, a small guy came to the front, climbed over the railings and launched himself into the air. i really enjoyed.thank for sharing such a amazing trip with us. Last year, he broke his finger at the competition and hurt his wrist, but he did not even think about giving up and still won the first place in such a condition. Evidently, they acknowledge the risks of bridge jumping and take great pride in their courage. sarajevo bosnia and hercegovina dubrovnik I'm 70 years of age, in good shape and there's still one scary moment to do. They are there to jump in and bring you back to shore if, for any reason, you do hurt yourself. 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. 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. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. I strongly recommend taking a train from Sarajevo to Mostar, as its among the most scenic train travels in the world. You will then pay 30 Euros here and go about your merry day. If not, its just not for you. 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. All I could think about was do not fuck this up, do NOT fuck this up, while the dozens of tourists who were all clamouring to take my photo were probably thinking the opposite; I really hope he fucks this up.. I had the stupid idea of doing jt about 3 hours ago at about 2 in the morning after a few drinks, Im alive but oh my am I fucking sore dude. Were these fatalities unlucky tourists? Each year, according to the tradition that started in 1968, daring, well-trained young people perform jumping from the . And for those of you who want to know whether theres even been any Mostar bridge jump deaths, unfortunately yes there have been. 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. 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. From that height, you hit the water at 80 km/h. The Mostar Bridge was built in 1557 by architect Mimar Hajrudin, a disciple of Sinan, the father of classic Ottoman architecture. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a varied landscape, with high mountains, rolling valley and large cities. How long did it take to train and then get approved for the jump? I read that for 25eu you can pay the diving club and they will train u for a bit and stuff. Yes, people have died jumping off Mostar Bridge. It is a common spot for hosting the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships, which then get broadcast worldwide. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But in hindsight there are 3 very good reasons to pay the25: The practice platform. Thanks for sharing this experience. If youre a thrill-seeker and figuring out what to do in Mostar, bridge jumping is definitely an amazing experience. His students later designed the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and helped to create Taj Mahal. While the prospect of writing about my future travels excites me greatly, I would also like to share some stories from travels past. Bridge jumping in Mostar, Bosnia. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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). 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. I could hear Igor, my diving instructor, giving me some last-minute tips on how to make the perfect Mostar bridge jump, but his words were drowned out by the blood thumping in my ears. The water is always cold which can trigger heart issues. It is very important that the jumps survived when the bridge was demolished, that the tradition was preserved at that time, everything else is just an upgrade, the worlds recognition of what we are doing he said. The fact that he managed to jump from the Stari Most makes me not only think that I could also do so, but that I must, lest I forever tarnish myself as less courageous than Hamish Blake. I determinedly spoke to the Mostar diving club, situated in a stone building akin to a tiny castle across the bridge, and they told me to come back at 1 pm for training. He says that unfortunately this year, none of the long-standing jumpers will dare to perform swallow flight. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. OK, now weve covered a few basic concerns; lets get onto the juicy bits, how you go about jumping the Stari Most. I'd definitely following the diving club's rules and advice on this one. History of Mostar Bridge Mostar Bridge was commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557. Mostar and notably the Mostar Bridge, or Stari Most as its known locally, is one of Bosnia and Herzegovinas major tourist attractions. In the second Siege of Mostar, the Old Bridge was used for combat on the front line, until Croats shelled it on 9th of November 1993. My Friends dad is from Mostar and she wants the bridge to be the main eye catcher in her first big university project. An Adventurous World (2014-23). The Ultimate Guide to Mostars Old Bridge: Bridge Jumping, Legends, and Ghosts of War. So if youre interested in seeing how the professionals dive from the bridge, then be sure to tune in! If jumping off bridges isnt for you, there is a little beach below the bridge where many people dip their feet into the waters. Fifty-seven competitors were expected to participate in the jump, including both locals and tourists from around the globe. @Macca Sherifi, what is the jumping technique? The practice dates back to the time the bridge was built, but the first recorded instance of someone diving off the bridge is from 1664. Then make sure you Pin it! These are both possibilities if you fail to jump correctly. I say this because he wasn't dead. 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. Whether it is competition time or not, you will often see young men in swim shorts walking around the vicinity of the bridge, trying to collect money. So, for 25 euros, the majority of which goes on the maintenance of the bridge, you get the opportunity to join the 24-metre club. Quite cheap, lovely weather, great food and a lot of history. Mostar Bridge Jump Guide (From Someone Who Jumped). They know how to tease the crowds to gather the next 25 to qualify a jump. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. We travel & write about food, accomm & the best things to do in the Balkans. June 2, 2022 by by By the 1550s Ottoman . If you stop for a moment to think, you just won't jump. As of 2015, only five women were on the list. There are bullet-ridden and bombed out buildings right next to modern and updated buildings. A Friend and I would like to use the following picture for our own Art. If youre still willing, organizing Mostar Bridge jumping is easy. Better yet, as you come back above the surface, you are greeted by dozens of spectators clapping and cheering you for your effort. For more information, please see our Zac Aus. Bravely jumping off the bridge, they draw large crowds who want to see them perform their death-defying leaps into the Neretva river below. Legs together, hands covering my nuts. 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. 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). You dont need a plan to visit Mostar Bridge: just go there and everything will get to you. Still up to it and ready to leap? Every year there are two or three new jumpers from Serbia, Montenegro, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, but unfortunately not from Mostar. Privacy Policy. Or perhaps you rotate backward on the way down and land on your back. Many locals can tell you openly that its definitely not safe to jump off Mostar Bridge. Cdiz claims to be the oldest city in western Europe with a 3,000 years of history. The rails were reopened in 2017. Once you stand there over the barrier, you must relax and take your time. I've seen some reports that there is a certification course for tourists to jump in Mostar. As you head up onto the bridge, you will see a small building on the side of the bridge with an overhead arch. 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. So, thats how I found myself standing on the edge of the bridge, heart pounding, staring at the abyss below. On the last weekend in July, 10,000 people will descend on the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina to witness the 446th annual Mostar bridge jumping festival. To be honest, I was pretty stoked to see the crowds build and gather. 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. Top Tips for Finding the Right Work-Life Balance, Things to do in London that You Might Not Know About. Here is a list of things to do in Mostar Bosnia and Herzegovina one of the most diverse places in Europe. Yet I was climbing over the railing, so that I could willingly jump into the river. Yesss, I will be, but I think You should, otherwise it could be dangerous. Mostar is 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. Back up in the clubhouse, they will fill out a certificate that you can take home. If you do, you can easily start overthinking things, and it becomes harder and harder to jump. Keep your form: be careful not to lean backward or forward. Thanks! Wild Wild Basch It has two towers that historically housed the Mostari (bridge keepers). 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. I only jumped with the professional supervision of someone who does this day in day out. In the Bosnian parts of Mostar, around 60-70% of houses were totally destroyed or badly damaged. The original Stari Most managed to stand for staggering 427 years, through two world wars. Yes, its a Bosnian legend: jumping off Mostar Bridge is how a boy becomes a man in Mostar! 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. We witness a daring and incredibly high bridge jump in Mostar, Bosnia. When driving through Bosnia Herzegovina, one of the best things you can do is the Mostar Bridge jump! I was not prepared for the speed that I would hit the water. Back then the iconic stone bridge was collapsed, but it didnt hold them back. The Old Bridge of Mostar is among the most important Islamic architectural structures in the Balkans. That was about 5 years ago. Before arriving in Mostar, I had alreadylearnt about the reputation ofthe Stari Most as a jumping location. Next page 1 2 3 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. We have to start a jumping school as soon as possible. Hey, I am SJ and this is my family. Its an incredible feeling as you sink below the water and have the sudden realization that youve done it! Facebook Instagram Email. Risk of injuries is high, and even higher when the water level of Neretva River is at its lowest during the summer. Famous for the old bridge of Mostar "Stari Most", which spans the river Neretva, and for the daring bridge jumper, countless visitors flock to visit this charming town. Well of course, that evening while out drinking I met a few new travellers and one explained that he was going to jump tomorrow. Youll then need to do a few practice jumps. 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. They say that only the most skilled and best trained should jump, and that certainly wasnt me. Once done, you are more than welcome to jump in again. If youve heard about the ghosts of Mostar, please share the stories in the comments below! We then got invited into the Mostar Dive Club to sign the admissions book and receive our certificates. i've been to Mostar before and walked the bridge. They will also enter your name into the official record books alongside the hundreds of others who have completed the jump. The Old Bridge is certainly a haunting sight after dark when day-tripping tourists are swept away, and only occasional locals traverse the stone arch.

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