The town is surrounded by mountains. I didn't want anyone thinking that I was thinking of jumping. Quite a few of the older buildings have . This technique allows you to remain perfectly straight the whole way down and to counteract any rotation on the way down. If you have them flapping around at all, they will catch the water and decelerate quicker than the rest of your body, that means dislocation or breakage. Warning: file_get_contents(index.php): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /nfs/c05/h03/mnt/79130/domains/spitfirevsbf109.com/html/wp-includes/plugin . Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Is this safe? 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. A Friend and I would like to use the following picture for our own Art. 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. It is a common spot for hosting the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships, which then get broadcast worldwide. Mostar is 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. A potential lifesaver. Readmy backpacking travel to guide Mostar for information on accomodation, transport and places to eat and drink. Evlija Celebija, a traveller and a writer during the Ottoman Empire, was the first to write about it in 1664. 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. At a restaurant right on the banks of the Neretva River, I had the perfect view of the bridge. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Sheraldo Becker will also be out with a thigh injury. Be prepared to the cold river and wear a wetsuit if its provided or just bathe in cold water. In my honest opinion, hell yeah, its worth it! New Talgo trains are comfortable and have even free wifi! I should point out, that the jump in question is around 24m in height. When driving through Bosnia Herzegovina, one of the best things you can do is the Mostar Bridge jump! If youre still willing, organizing Mostar Bridge jumping is easy. Nothing makes me happier than capturing the world one destination at a time so make sure you follow me on my adventures! Very lucky to have my jump captured from multiple angles. Growing in confidence, I began explaining tootherpeople that if I had found someone else to jump with, I would have. Search from Mostar Jump stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. Pop in the pub at the eastern end the Crooked Bridge for craft beer at the terrace overlooking the bridge. It has two towers that historically housed the Mostari (bridge keepers). Facebook Instagram Email. 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. 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. After jumping off a 3ft bench a handful of times to prove I could do it, I asked Igor if I had a good technique and if I was ready to jump off the bridge; he said I jumped like a horse, that I would never be ready to jump off the bridge, but if I still wanted to do it then now was the time. This is a bucket list adventure for me. 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. 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. Any advice? We blog about the best travel destinations in the Balkans. That rapid deceleration is why it is critical to have all of your limbs tucked in when you hit the water. 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. 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! Including, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,, Montenegro, Slovenia, Turkey, Macedonia, Romania, Kosovo and Serbia. Once youve perfected your technique, theyll take you back up to the bridge for the actual jump. If youre a thrill-seeker and figuring out what to do in Mostar, bridge jumping is definitely an amazing experience. But as long as you jump, as theyve instructed, youll be fine. Be careful at the bridge and only jump when youre ready to do it in a good form. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. Medieval torture equipment exhibition in Toledo, Spain, peeks into the Middle Ages a time of the Inquisition and a system of extreme cruelty. That day, tourists from all over the world are inevitable guests of this pearl. The Old Bridge stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed on 9 November 1993 by Croat forces during the Croat . The Mostar Bridge was destroyed during the war in the former Yugoslavia, between 1991 (Beginning of Armed Conflict ) and 1995 (Dayton Agreement). This makes me feel sick every time I think about you doing it! Home > Mostar Bridge Jump Guide (From Someone Who Jumped). Prince of Neretva, only once managed to get close to the record of Mostars swallows like Emir Bali, who won 13 titles as the best jumper, and won the most titles in the history of the jumps in Mostar. You can read our privacy policy here. I'm 70 years of age, in good shape and there's still one scary moment to do. Offers may be subject to change without notice. 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. Here they show you the exact way to jump and how to keep yourself level on the way down. 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. While the prospect of writing about my future travels excites me greatly, I would also like to share some stories from travels past. Those cobblestones though! Zac ess That would have made it difficult to bail out without losing face. When I hit the water my legs ended up somewhere over my head and as someone that is not particularly flexible, muscles were stretched in ways they are not meant to go! speckle park bull sales 2021 847-461-9794; mostar bridge jump injuries. Groups of tourists standing on the bridge will pitch in a few euros or dollars to one of the local divers. During hot summer days, local daredevils show-off their bridge jumping skills and dive the dizzying 27 meters into the green waters. sarajevo bosnia and hercegovina dubrovnik They say that only the most skilled and best trained should jump, and that certainly wasnt me. It was ethnically rooted civil war, were neighbors and loved ones were set against each other. But the worst was gone in probably 2 days. Crooked Bridge is just a 5-minute stroll away from the Old Bridge and surrounded by restaurants. The jump costs 35 (10 for the training and 25 for the Old Bridge jump). Such as you leaning forward too much and hitting your face/stomach as you enter the water. Hamish and Andy were in there. Mostar is a picture perfect medieval city with the highlight being the Mostar Bridge. Once done, you are more than welcome to jump in again. You become a lifetime member of the Mostar Dive Club on completion of your dive. Either way, youll need to travel back up to the bridge to see the team, get changed, and pay. Slipping is dangerous because then you cannot prepare your body for hitting the water. Cedric Teuchert replaces Sheraldo Becker because of an injury. I would'nt do it at the mostar bridge, a jump would be enough. Mostar Bridge Jump Is Jumping Worth It? The bridge was originally a wooden bridge but around 1557 Suleiman the Magnificent ordered constructions so the old bridge would be replaced with a stone bridge by the architectural work of Mimar Hayruddin. This year, as in previous years, participants will certainly come from all countries of the former Yugoslavia. I bet hundreds of agonized souls have jumped off the bridge to their death and even greater number of civilians are raped and murdered during the wars. But during the 1992-1995 conflict between Bosnian Muslims, Catholic Croats and Orthodox Serbs, the Old Bridge became one of the war's most famous casualties. Crowds gather and cheer when he dives into the river. That was about 5 years ago. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Zac Aus. I wonder how many mostaris, guardians of the bridge, also roam in the grounds with other restless souls. I've seen videos of people jump of it and read stories. He says that unfortunately this year, none of the long-standing jumpers will dare to perform swallow flight. Make sure someone is on hand with a camera! Mostar was named after the bridge keepers who guarded the Stari Most in the medieval times. In Australia, we achieve this by attempting to rapidly drink a 1.4L yard glass of beer while surrounded by friends and family. Earlier in the year, we decided to visit Mostar and experience the place for ourselves. 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. They know how to tease the crowds to gather the next 25 to qualify a jump. The medieval village that exists on either side of the bridge is more interesting than the bridge itself. Go out for beers afterwards Youve just survived one of the scariest things of your life! Stari Most ( Serbo-Croatian: Stari most, , lit. 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. Sheraldo Becker. Yet I was climbing over the railing, so that I could willingly jump into the river. Some of the original limestones were rescued from the bottom of the Neretva River to celebrate the resurrection of Stari Most. Even though it was undoubtedly beautiful, it was also one of the most imposing I have ever seen. Mar 6, 2017 - Old Bridge jumping traditional annual competition in diving organized every year in mid summer (end of July). Dozens gather every year to take the plunge. If you visited Mostar, you would have seenthe Stari Mostandeither some nutbag traveller or some entrepreneurial local jumping from it (in exchange for tips). Also, be aware that its very deep below the bridge, so theres very little chance of you going so low that you hit bottom. 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. Even the initial flaws were honored. Make sure someone takes photos of you Unfortunately I didnt get the best photos of me doing it and Im gutted about that. The old bridge was over 400 years old but was destroyed during the Bosnian war in 1993. 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. Then it's time to jump off the . */, Firstly, there was anAustralian T.V show titled. She compressed/fractured 3 vertebrate. 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. 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. Primarily because neither Hamish nor Andyare athletes. 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. The only justification I had for not jumping had disappeared and along with it, any chance of maintainingany respect within the Balkan backpacking community. What To Pack For Albania Head to my About page! 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. It it Ill tell you all about what its like doing this jump, and whether there have been any Mostar bridge deaths. Interestingly the old bridge area is fascinating as the bridge with its Ottoman buildings, which houses cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Andalusia in south Spain is amazing: Sevilla, Granada, Crdoba and Cdiz are just lovely to visit. My first reaction after stepping was to wiggle my legs back and forth, a bit like a little kid does when jumping into a swimming pool. fantastic pictures and place is amazing to visit there. 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. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 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. Men Firstly, there was anAustralian T.V show titled 'Hamish and Andy's Gap Year'. Any number of things could go wrong with your jump. Back up in the clubhouse, they will fill out a certificate that you can take home. I wouldnt have the courage for sure. Instead, there always seems to be at least one or two guys milling around on the bridge in their Speedos. I know a guy who did this when were in Bosnia in 2006. 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.. The scars of war run still deep and bullet-ridden facades can be seen around Mostar, especially in the eastern part. How long did it take to train and then get approved for the jump? Once he has enough money and he judges the time is right, hell put on a bit of a show. 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. Andrea Romano is a writer and editor in New York City. Hopefully they discourage you from taking a leap. Many locals can tell you openly that its definitely not safe to jump off Mostar Bridge. The Stari Most defines the city of Mostar. Terribly unsafe. Reply Thanks for sharing this experience. Lawrence Listo, the famous Mostarian swallow, last years winner, who has won the title ten times, reveals that he was never more ready than this year. Bruises, dislocated joints, broken bones and compressed spines are common injuries for jumpers with poor technique. There are many small touristic shops and cafes. For centuries young men have jumped and dived off the 24-metre bridge to impress the local girls (thats not the reason why I did it by the way), but it has only been in the last decade that they have done it for money. As a part of 1990 Croat-Bosniak conflict, the Old Bridge of Mostar was bombed down by the Croat troops in 1993. and our The answer to this question will never be, yes, it is 100% safe!. My Friends dad is from Mostar and she wants the bridge to be the main eye catcher in her first big university project. The plunge is about 78 feet from the top of the arched bridge to the incredibly cold waters below. MOSTAR, Bosnia-Herzegovina For more than three decades Semir Kazazic-Miro has been leaping from a bridge and plunging 70 feet into the ice-cold, fast-flowing waters of the Neretva River below. I've seen that there have four fatalities in modern times. 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. Divers await their turn to jump from the bridge. 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. A village gathering around the river Honddu is one thing though, Mostar Bridge Jumping Festival is quite another. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. But lets dig deeper into the history and tragic legends of Stari Most! The Old Bridge (Stari Most) is an imposing sight in the city. The Crooked Bridge looks like a miniature of the Old Bridge. However, theres no reason for this to happen! Were these fatalities unlucky tourists? Bosnia and Herzegovina Tourism . I must admit that every year I enjoy jumping more and more, I think I am ready enough to win the first place again. Luckily, his work was celebrated as the widest man-made arch in the world! 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. 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. The next morning at about 10 am, very hungover, Mike and I and a few others wandered down to the bridge. If you have travelled through the Balkans at all, there is a good chance you visited Mostar. 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. My technique was to stand there and take three deep breaths. 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. "It is ten euros for training, and you must complete three successful dives from the platform before you are allowed to jump from the bridge. Many restaurants offer million-dollar views to the Old Bridge of Mostar, which alone qualifies for a romantic dinner. In fact, theres a good chance you will have seen people jumping or diving from the bridge in the past. 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. It is about now that I start questioning my life choices. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. The Mostar Old Bridge is also known as Stari Most, Mostar Most, Bosnia Bridge, Mostar Bridge, Mostar Stari Most, Mostarski Most, or Stari Most. However, most of the jumpers will be from Mostar. When considering whether to attempt this jump, I and other Australians find this fact quitepersuasive. Mostaritradition 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. The guy had cojones. Old Town, a Soviet-era prison, Patarei, trendy restaurants, nice craft beer scene. Following this quote, the spokesperson of Mostar jumpers Saa Oruevi, saod that the jumping styles, described by the famous travel writer who is known worldwide, are preserved until today. There are bullet-ridden and bombed out buildings right next to modern and updated buildings. . A Canadian girl had joined us from one of the other hostels. As we mentioned, dont try to jump off the bridge without permission. Our top picks for a great day in Tallinn, Estonia. Red Bull regularly run a high diving competition from the Mostar bridge. With the help of UNESCO, Mostar Bridge was rebuilt in 2004, stone by stone and according to the original architecture. Hey, I am SJ and this is my family. I say this because he wasn't dead. At least four deadly accidents are reported since 2012, along with countless serious injuries. What happens now is, one at a time, you cross over the wall of the bridge and stand looking out over the water. Yeah, it can be really bad. Ive been there and I know how high it is! 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. The conflicts continued for a few more years, but in peripheral regions and in lesser degrees, that is why the end of the war was generally fixed in 1995. Privacy Policy. Next page 1 2 3 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! We then got invited into the Mostar Dive Club to sign the admissions book and receive our certificates. We had to hand over 25 to the local dive club in order to jump. They dive club will take you to a spot a hundred metres downstream from the Stari Most where a ~10m platform is set up. Thanks. The Stari Most really is one of the sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the Balkans. Climbing the railing. We took a day trip out to Mostar from Split. Special mention to my lovely friends for the photos and video. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. So technically, the current bridge is not old, but its still a replica of the old bridge. The last of which he did without clothes. Would you ever be as stupid as me and jump off the bridge at Mostar? 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.. After all, jumping of Mostar Bridge is a 450-year old tradition. What To Pack For Turkey Not only had he performed the jump, but had done so 3 times. I couldnt believe it. Bruises, dislocated joints, broken bones and compressed spines are common injuries for jumpers with poor technique. Yes, its a Bosnian legend: jumping off Mostar Bridge is how a boy becomes a man in Mostar! Pretty good. The injuries, such as broken bones, could get you into serious trouble in the water. Mostar Bridge Jump: Read This Before Jumping Off Mostar Bridge! A man jumps from the Old Bridge during the 454th traditional diving competition in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina was a surprise, little I knew about the country and I got in love with it, specially with Mostar. In a stunning setting such as Mostar, you can see why travellers flock from the four corners of the world just to see this spectacle. Required fields are marked *. They are there to jump in and bring you back to shore if, for any reason, you do hurt yourself. Check out our article on this gorgeous trip by train from Sarajevo to Mostar! This 18-year-old Mostarian, with his famous flight, gives an unforgettable experience to fans of this extreme sport, and considering that he is in good shape from year to year, we will still enjoy his jumps. Question Hello all, In the summer im going to visit Mostar in Bosnia, one of the most famous things there is the big bridge. I hope you can fit it in though - it's such an amazing experience! It popped into my head again the other day. He possessesthe physique and importantly, the courageousness, of the average man. It is the shining light in Mostar, a city where the Neretva River snakes its way through the picturesque Mostar valley. Travel insurance doesn't normally cover this kind of stuff, obviously. I waited a few extra moments for him to get settled and readyto watch my jump. amazing blog. I was preparing myself for jumps all year round. 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. Thus, on July 30, on the day of the 451st traditional jumping from the Old Bridge, Mostar will be the center of the world. Of course, tourists are briefed for jumping off safely and accustoming their bodies to the cold. We want to use, edit and work with this amazing Image. The rails were reopened in 2017. The art of bridge diving is entertaining to watch, so why not to support a diver and the club. '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. Youll be credited with a certificate and your name is written the Diving Club record book. Well, you will splash against the green Neretva River in 3 seconds after jumping off Stari Most. If we are allowed to use your Image, please let us know. Climbing over the railing to get in position was a strange feeling. I knew I only had one shot at this thing. Special memories of being there! Its easy to forget you are in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 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. Here you can practice your jump technique under the watchful eye of an experienced diver. Looking in control. One of the best things to see in Mostar are the bridge divers. 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.