Oh and be warned: dont try this at home! Any thoughts on that? and a must stay for a day. This is enough time to calm yourself entirely and block out the people around you. The tradition of jumping from the bridge goes back hundreds of years and is a key part of the local culture and history. Tell me about it! Some jump steeply, another sitting in a Turkish way, some jump into the water in pair, or three persons at once; and they all happily go out on the shore, ascending to the rocks, they go to the end of the bridge to receive the gifts of the vizier and the champion wrote famous travel writer Evliya elebi while observing jumpers from the Old Bridge in Mostar. 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. Such as: Mostar really is a wonderful place to visit, however, it is quite a poor city. After a few minutes, a small guy came to the front, climbed over the railings and launched himself into the air. Before the wooden supports of Old Bridge were removed, Mimar Hajruddin had already started digging his own grave. UNESCO has recognized it as a world cultural heritage. After nine years of labor, the Old Bridge of Mostar was finally completed in 1566. In a sterling example of maybe not the greatest judgment, and yet again, going to some kind of length to join a fraternity of history, I visited Mostar, Herzegovina, to do one thing - jump off of their historic bridge into a river that is a mountain spring fed 10 degrees Celsius give or take one or two degrees (between 48 and 52 Fahrenheit . The Old Bridge of Mostar has been an essential part of Mostars history right from the beginning. 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. You cant miss it. 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. An Adventurous World (2014-23). I dont know how she expected me to react, however, if she knows me at all, then she should have predicted my immediate reaction . One thing is for sure; everyone must pay a visit to Mostar and walk across the UNESCO-inscribed Mostar Bridge and experience it for themselves. They know how to tease the crowds to gather the next 25 to qualify a jump. It doesnt leave you many options; I mean, who wants to be a complete failure!? The Ikari - the flying men of Mostar - are keeping a 500-year-old tradition alive. Also, youll likely see one or two guys sat on the bridge or walking around wearing swim trunks. Check out our article on this gorgeous trip by train from Sarajevo to Mostar! Proper bridge jumping technique needs get approved: at first, youll get a couple of jumps to prove that you can do it. Every year there is a special bridge jump competition . His students later designed the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and helped to create Taj Mahal. As such, the area around the Mostar bridge is very lovely and affluent, but outside of that, there seems to be little much else going on. 3 years on, this post is still fully accurate. It is the story of the Old Bridge, an elegant single span arch built over the river Neretva by the Ottoman Turks. 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. A man is free fall after jumping off the old bridge in Mostar. Well, it means you can return any time you want and jump again for free! It it Ill tell you all about what its like doing this jump, and whether there have been any Mostar bridge deaths. Walk along or get into some adventure on the Neretva River 3. [wzslider autoplay="true"]When I visited Mostar in 2003, it was still a city reeling from the effects of the 1990s war that had left such unmistaken traces of its destruction, and wounds that are still healing to this day. Risk of injuries is high, and even higher when the water level of Neretva River is at its lowest during the summer. Read Also: The Top 5 Cities to Visit in Bosnia And Herzegovina. It long stood as a symbol of how the diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully. Full-day Tours. The Old Bridge of Mostar is among the most important Islamic architectural structures in the Balkans. Privacy Policy. 4.5. Usually what happens is this. Our top picks for a great day in Tallinn, Estonia. 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! Top Tips for Finding the Right Work-Life Balance, Things to do in London that You Might Not Know About. So what makes the Old Bridge of Mostar so unique? amazing blog. Medieval torture equipment exhibition in Toledo, Spain, peeks into the Middle Ages a time of the Inquisition and a system of extreme cruelty. We had awful experience in Sadrvan, which is usually listed among the best restaurants in Mostar (its a tourist trap serving bland and overcooked food). Expect craggy peaks, turquoise rivers, dark tunnels, and ancient viaducts. We need you around! Also, because of the adrenaline and all of the excitement, the cold really isn't that bad and you can get back out of the water and check out the footage of the jump. These are both possibilities if you fail to jump correctly. Ironically, it was a war that finally destroyed this symbol of peace. I heard the lady quote one person 50 Euros to jump. If anything goes wrong for whatever reason, multiple dive club members are around to help. New Talgo trains are comfortable and have even free wifi! walk on the famous Old bridge. Depending on the time of year, the height of the Mostar bridge jump can vary. Like this post? The Mostar Bridge Jumping Festival, a local tradition which involves auspicious folk hurling themselves into it off a Bridge! Its also a great place to take a photo of the divers in action. I strongly recommend taking a train from Sarajevo to Mostar, as its among the most scenic train travels in the world. Jumping off the 24-metre-high Mostar Bridge, which was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, is a 400-year-old tradition for young men to show "they're . All rights reserved. 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. Mostar was developed further during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries. Ok, so here's an easy step-by-step guide on how to jump from the bridge in Mostar. The most famous thing about the Mostar Ancient Bridge is the bridge jump. The Mostar Old Bridge is also known as Stari Most, Mostar Most, Bosnia Bridge, Mostar Bridge, Mostar Stari Most, Mostarski Most, or Stari Most. As a part of 1990 Croat-Bosniak conflict, the Old Bridge of Mostar was bombed down by the Croat troops in 1993. Extreme sports might seem like a modern innovation for adrenaline junkies, but in the ancient Bosnian town of Mostar, jumping or diving from the 24-metre-high bridge is a test of courage that . The Stari Most really is one of the sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the Balkans. You can jump off the Mostar Old Bridge with permission of the Dive Club to the right of the bridge. 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. After extensive research, the Old Bridge was rebuilt between 2001 - 2004 at the cost of about 5 million Euros. And can I use a gopro when jumping. The 30m-long, 20m-high, single-span Mostar bridge known as 'Stari Most' (Old Bridge) was built by Ottoman Turk Architect Mimar Hajrudin in 1566 of 456 blocks of stone. Also, a bunch of tourists have died here over the years, so yes, you can die. Just make sure that you take out Green Card insurance before you drive. 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. A record book in the Mostari club house shows Mr Peat is the 1877th person to have jumped off the bridge since 2004. July 2018 marked 452nd annual Mostar bridge diving competition. 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. Your email address will not be published. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. ? So if youre interested in seeing how the professionals dive from the bridge, then be sure to tune in! They say that only the most skilled and best trained should jump, and that certainly wasnt me. from. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. According to history books, the first person jumped off Mostar bridge already in 1664. Theres another bridge a few hundred metres down and you can head there and get a side-on view of the bridge if that helps. Those cobblestones though! 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. He never jumped on his feet. During the summertime, the diving club members take turns in jumping off the bridge for money. Mostar Bridge, also known as the Stari Most ('Old Bridge'), is a reconstructed 16th century Ottoman bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar bridge jumping Mostar Old Town Equally as beautiful as the bridge but perhaps without the drama of potentially diving to your death. So, thats how I found myself standing on the edge of the bridge, heart pounding, staring at the abyss below. Crooked Bridge is just a 5-minute stroll away from the Old Bridge and surrounded by restaurants. As far as physical fitness is concerned, I think that I have given the maximum said Listo, emphasizing that he wants to defend the title but also to pass without injury. 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. I'm an Economics graduate with a passion for travel. And, well, I decided I just had to jump again! Another option is to fly there. The Mostar bridge jump in Bosnia costs 25 euros per person. Every year in Mostar, at the end of July, a diving contest is organized from the top of the bridge. This might sound like a lot just for a jump. 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. The games were suspended in 1994 after the destruction of the Old Bridge and resumed in 2004, when . If you want to jump from the Stari Most bridge, then you need to do it with the dive school. By this point, there will be lots of tourists around with cameras preparing to record you. Recommended. You can cross into Bosnia Herzegovina by all surrounding countries at a variety of borders. 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. Reuters Under measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, only 100 people were. Local ikari know the art of bridge jumping and the risks. 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. Personally, one jump was enough for me; but feel free to have another go if youre that way inclined! Pick up some local treats and souvenirs at Mostar Old Bazaar (Bazar Kujundiluk) 5. "Feeling cannot be described. Feel the presence of Michelangelo, the Borgia Pope and other anxious souls still searching for their atonement. It costs 10 for the practice jump and 20 for the actual jump. Get exclusive weekly travel tips. Honestly, this was such a rush. Celebrate it by going out for a couple of beers afterwards. Divers hurled themselves from a 24-metre (79-ft) high Ottoman-era bridge in the Bosnian town of Mostar on Sunday, staging a centuries-old contest even though the COVID-19 pandemic prevented many . Here is a list of things to do in Mostar Bosnia and Herzegovina one of the most diverse places in Europe. I looked down and took a deep breath to steady myself , I gave the instructor one final farewell fist bump . More is required if the diving club instructor isnt convinced. Divers jumped from the Bosnia and Herzegovina's historic Mostar Bridge on Sunday, in a tradition dating back to the 17th century. What To Pack For Albania Any number of things could go wrong with your jump. Of course, tourists are briefed for jumping off safely and accustoming their bodies to the cold. It was first built in the 16th century and stood for 427 years before it was destroyed during the. 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