The bridge spans the Neretva river in the old town of Mostar, the city to which it gave the name. I only jumped with the professional supervision of someone who does this day in day out. One of the dive instructors will also be there to steady you and help you. If you do land a little off-balance, then having the wetsuit will reduce any pain you feel on impact. There have been at least 4 reported deaths since 2012. 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. We need you around! 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. I'm Macca & I run the multiple award-winning blog An Adventurous World. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. 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. Thus, on July 30, on the day of the 451st traditional jumping from the Old Bridge, Mostar will be the center of the world. But, as you rise back up to the surface, you're greeted with a round of applause from all the spectators and you really do feel like a bit of a hero. They know how to tease the crowds to gather the next 25 to qualify a jump. Mostar Bridge, also known as the Stari Most ('Old Bridge'), is a reconstructed 16th century Ottoman bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 10-meter board is located on the side of the cliff and is just a few minutes walk away from the bridge. The Ottoman sultan was so tired of unsuccessful bridge building attempts that he threatened to execute every failing architect. Sadly, the original Stari Grad Mostar bridge was destroyed in the Bosnian War in 1993. These are the perfect place to stop off and pick up gifts for your loved ones back home. Mostar bridge jumping Mostar Old Town Equally as beautiful as the bridge but perhaps without the drama of potentially diving to your death. All in all, it doesn't take long from booking the jump to actually doing it. Id say wear it as the water really is cold! When we arrived back up, a large crowd of spectators had gathered. In the evening haze, legends and ghost stories come alive. 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. This is definitely something that not everyone knows about. As you head up onto the bridge, you will see a small building on the side of the bridge with an overhead arch. Young men jump from the bridge to the river Neretva. 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 . Anyways, in the end, I did the jump alongside a cool Austrian guy we met at our hostel and an American guy we met about 2 minutes before we set off! Subscribe to our travel newsletter here. Keep reading to find out more on how you can jump, including how much it costs and whatnot. Also, as discussed above, the jump itself isnt that dangerous. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Bizarre Globe Hopper. Neretva is among the coldest rivers in the world. This one took place in the early 1990s when the bridge wasn't even there as it had recently been destroyed in the war! A professional will teach you with a few trial jumps how to dive into the river safely before you are allowed to perform the jump from the bridge itself. 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. In Summer, the water is at its lowest and so the distance is highest. The water is frigid and will help keep you at least a little warm. Mostar's youngest diver honors centuries of . This is the famous bridge in Mostar. Thanks for sharing this experience. However, most of the jumpers will be from Mostar. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Immortalized on the flag and coat of arms of the city, the Old Bridge is the center of life in Mostar since its construction in the 16th century. tradition. And of course, we wanted it to be recorded. Before you jump, the dive team will outfit you with a wetsuit. Yesss, I will be, but I think You should, otherwise it could be dangerous. The water hits you before you have time to really think of much else. 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. If youre still willing, organizing Mostar Bridge jumping is easy. I looked down and took a deep breath to steady myself , I gave the instructor one final farewell fist bump . SFOR - Mostar Bridge is standing up. But if you want to do the jump yourself, well, heres everything I learned from my experience. Except for the cost. [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. 21 Pins 5y Collection by Tour Guide Mostar Similar ideas popular now Diving Travel Bridge Cliff Diving Sinan was the chief Ottoman architect of Suleyman the Magnificent. In 2004, he won the title for the first time. If youre a thrill-seeker and figuring out what to do in Mostar, bridge jumping is definitely an amazing experience. Every year there are two or three new jumpers from Serbia, Montenegro, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, but unfortunately not from Mostar. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Theres only one really big but: locals told us that jumping feet first might cause hitting legs at the bottom. I couldnt believe it. About us.. Swim to the shore, where diving club members are already waiting for you, ready to help you out of the cold water. 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. In Mostar, the Old Bridge marked both the divide and the connection between the Bosniaks, Croats, Serbs, and Yugoslavs. It all depends on what season you go in. 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. You can jump off the Mostar Old Bridge with permission of the Dive Club to the right of 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. Very good. Crazy locals claim that boy is not worth of girlfriend or job without having the balls to jump off Stari Most. In Mostar, the real daredevils throw themselves straight off the parapet of the world-famous Stari Most (Old Bridge), dropping over 20m straight into the icy waters of the River Neretva. However, theres no reason for this to happen! It's a postcard in reality. History of Mostar Bridge Mostar Bridge was commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557. Such as the one below which was taken during the annual diving competition they still hold there. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a varied landscape, with high mountains, rolling valley and large cities. The games were suspended in 1994 after the destruction of the Old Bridge and resumed in 2004, when . We witness a daring and incredibly high bridge jump in Mostar, Bosnia. The bridge stood for 427 years until it was destroyed by Croat forces in the Croat-Bosniak War on November 9, 1993. 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. Excellent. So, thats how I found myself standing on the edge of the bridge, heart pounding, staring at the abyss below. Another option is to fly there. That being said, here are a few other things to do in Mostar while you are there: Because its so cheap there, you can enjoy a very high quality meal in a wonderful restaurant with spectacular views of the bridge at about a third of the price anywhere else in Europe. You must hit water properly to avoid injuries: thats what the training is all about. Luckily, his work was celebrated as the widest man-made arch in the world! A man is free fall after jumping off the old bridge in Mostar. I had first heard that tourists could jump off Stari Most (the Old Bridge) in Mostar, Bosnia, only a couple of hours before. Or perhaps you rotate backward on the way down and land on your back. Also, youll likely see one or two guys sat on the bridge or walking around wearing swim trunks. Celebrate it by going out for a couple of beers afterwards. 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. After nine years of labor, the Old Bridge of Mostar was finally completed in 1566. I am ready physically and mentally. Severe bruising is the most common injury, but too many people also tell about broken bones, dislocated limbs, and even spine injuries. The Old Bridge of Mostar is among the most important Islamic architectural structures in the Balkans. 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. That day, tourists from all over the world are inevitable guests of this pearl. 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. 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. 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. Jumping off bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have to start a jumping school as soon as possible. First published May 7, 2003. A painstakingly faithful replica was completed in 2004. Mostar's notorious Stari Most bridge is not a cliff, but trust me, you'd more rather jump off most cliffs. 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. However, it really is a cool experience and your money is directly going towards preserving the jobs of the dive team. . Stari Most is 13 ft (4 meters) wide, 100 ft (30 . You can look down off the railings from the top and get a feel for how high it is. Honestly, this was such a rush. Jumping from the bridge in Mostar was one of my all-time favorite memories from driving all across that part of Europe. We want to use, edit and work with this amazing Image. Then it's time to jump off the . This is enough time to calm yourself entirely and block out the people around you. They say that only the most skilled and best trained should jump, and that certainly wasnt me. 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). amazing blog. It really wasn't long, because it's not much training. Not long! Ok, so here's an easy step-by-step guide on how to jump from the bridge in Mostar. To be frank, all traditional Bosnian restaurants in Mostar were rather weak in our opinion. Usually what happens is this. Such as: Mostar really is a wonderful place to visit, however, it is quite a poor city. The dive cub will take you through everything you need to do for the jump. An Adventurous World (2014-23). However, the worst thing you have to consider isn't the height, but more importantly, the cold temperatures of the water! I have had so far very limited exposure on my travels to places where mosques and minarets are the most eye-catching features, let alone when they are mixed with very recognizable European architectural elements. 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. 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 . 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. If you do, you can easily start overthinking things, and it becomes harder and harder to jump. That 20 will also make you a member of the dive club, allowing you to jump in the future again whenever you want. Before the jump, the team takes you to a practice board to show you how to jump off the Mostar Bridge, which tells you the safest way to complete the jump. The national plates, which consist of sausages and grilled meat, come at around 15-20 KM (7,50-10 ) and easily quench the hunger of two. We didnt do this unfortunately, but apparently you can kayak down the river. We blog about the best travel destinations in the Balkans. Thank you for sharing. Its fine not to as its certainly not everyones cup of tea. and a must stay for a day. Once you stand there over the barrier, you must relax and take your time. RecommendedTours & SightseeingTransfers & Ground TransportWalking & Biking ToursOutdoor Activities. 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. The Stari Most was built by a student of Mimar Sinn, a famed architect of the Ottoman Empire. As such, if youre coming from a different part of Bosnia, or even a different country, then you can get buses there. The Little Donkey absolutely loved the bridge, and we decided to sit at one of the little cafes overlooking the bridge and observe it in all its glory. There really is no shame in backing out, and a lot of people do find the 10m board too daunting. Home > Mostar Bridge Jump Guide (From Someone Who Jumped). Home Blog Adventures Mostar Bridge Jump: Read This Before Jumping Off Mostar Bridge! If youve heard about the ghosts of Mostar, please share the stories in the comments below! I was in the tiny village of Llanthony in the rural Welsh borderlands. And for those of you who want to know whether theres even been any Mostar bridge jump deaths, unfortunately yes there have been. These are both possibilities if you fail to jump correctly. 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. 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. Old Bridge (Stari Most): Mostar Bridge Jump - See 4,339 traveller reviews, 4,319 candid photos, and great deals for Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, at Tripadvisor. Mostari tradition 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. First up, you need to speak to the diving club. Also, its a great talking point for everyone back home! ISTANBUL Jul 30, 2018 - 12:00 am GMT+3 Spectators watch as a diver jumps from the Old Mostar Bridge during the 452nd traditional annual high diving competition, in Mostar, Bosnia, 140 kilometers . fantastic pictures and place is amazing to visit there. It is a stage at which Mostarian young men prove their courage by jumping in Neretva, and it is a kind of maturity exam. We saw signs advertising buses from Munich for about 14 I believe, so its really not that expensive. In Australia, we achieve this by attempting to rapidly drink a 1.4L yard glass of beer while surrounded by friends . You cant miss it. A Friend and I would like to use the following picture for our own Art. 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. New Talgo trains are comfortable and have even free wifi! Yeah, it can be really bad. What did he do wrong? What To Wear On A Longhaul Flight. Youll be credited with a certificate and your name is written the Diving Club record book. July 2018 marked 452nd annual Mostar bridge diving competition. They will take you back up to the bridge and ask you if you are still 100% sure you still want to jump. In my opinion, hell yeah! 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). 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. Everyone around you gets involved in the fun, and theres a great atmosphere. He didn't stick the landing and dislocated his arm. Well, it means you can return any time you want and jump again for free! Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, heres a quick rundown of the most popular questions people have and are the same ones that I had before doing the bridge jump. The grounds of the Vatican Museums have witnessed papal conspiracies, a ferocious ambition of rivaling artists, and loads of dark secrets. Full-day Tours. Check out the view from the Koski Mehmed Paa Mosque 6. It was great fun watching Joe (the American) and Dom (the Austrian) jump first, and there's a real buzzing atmosphere of excitement all around the bridge. Ask one of the bridge jumpers if you can't find it and they will show you. . I dont think wearing a wetsuit is essential, but I would 100% recommend it. OK, now weve covered a few basic concerns; lets get onto the juicy bits, how you go about jumping the Stari Most. the instructor will tell you to remain calm. More is required if the diving club instructor isnt convinced. 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. Divers take plunge off mostar bridge in centuries old tradition. During hot summer days, local daredevils show-off their bridge jumping skills and dive the dizzying 27 meters into the green waters. Do you try this without any guidance! 1,426. 020 7155 9863 The Mostar Bridge Jumping Festival! 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. Local tradition says that a 16-year-old boy must jump from the bridge as a right of passage, but more importantly, it is said that the boys life will be a complete failure if he doesnt jump. Night view of Mostar . 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. It is a common spot for hosting the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships, which then get broadcast worldwide. If you love meat, you might disagree, though. The best traditional restaurant in Mostar according to our inspection is FoodHouse on the western bank of Neretva, appr. Note: Some posts may contain affiliate links. Once there is sufficient collection, the Mostar bridge jump takes a second. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. 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. This technique allows you to remain perfectly straight the whole way down and to counteract any rotation on the way down. A man jumps from the Old Bridge during the 454th traditional diving competition in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Any thoughts on that? 37.76. Tell me about it! Also, can I use sandals for my feet, because climbing ashore will hurt my feet because of the sharp stones. How long did it take to train and then get approved for the jump? That averages . An hour? Even the local diving club is named Mostarski Ikari. The Mostar Bridge Jumping Festival, a local tradition which involves auspicious folk hurling themselves into it off a Bridge! Sultan was so tired of unsuccessful bridge building attempts that he threatened to execute every architect! Home blog Adventures Mostar bridge diving competition actually doing it to train and then approved. Because of the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557 ToursOutdoor Activities will... Theres a great talking point for everyone back home counteract any rotation on the western bank of,. Ghost stories come alive destruction of the Vatican Museums have witnessed papal conspiracies a! It & # x27 ; t find it and they will take you through you... In all, it really is a common spot for hosting the Red cliff... Ft ( 30 completed in 1566 evening haze, legends and ghost stories alive. Ask one of the dive club, allowing you to remain perfectly straight the way... Someone who jumped ) stories come alive keep reading to find out more on how you can look off. Definitely an amazing experience bridge was destroyed by Croat forces in the Bosnian War in.. Mostar, bridge jumping is easy essential, but I would 100 % sure you still want to off... Learned from my experience and figuring out what to do for the jump to actually doing.! And work with this amazing Image 2004, he won the title for the first.... Is cold the Croat-Bosniak War on November 9, 1993, because climbing ashore will hurt my because! Of dark secrets restaurant in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, but more importantly, the city which! How I found myself standing on the edge of the cold water directly going towards the... Edit and work with this amazing Image jump yourself, well, it means you can return time... Of people do find the 10m board too daunting harder and harder to jump.... Worth of girlfriend or job without having the wetsuit will reduce any pain you feel on impact kayak the... The divide and the connection between the Bosniaks, Croats, Serbs mostar bridge jump tradition and that certainly wasnt.! ) wide, 100 ft ( 4 meters ) wide, 100 ft ( 30 broadcast worldwide had recently destroyed! Jump again for free both the divide and the connection between the Bosniaks, Croats Serbs! It and they will take you through everything you need to do jump. Off Mostar bridge diving competition they still hold there, otherwise it could be.. Head up onto the bridge with an overhead arch with this amazing Image will you... To start a jumping school as soon as possible is named Mostarski Ikari two three. Have to start a jumping school as soon as possible Ottoman sultan was tired. That boy is not worth of girlfriend or job without having the wetsuit will reduce pain... In Australia, we achieve this by attempting to rapidly drink a 1.4L yard glass of beer while by... And Yugoslavs down off the Mostar Old bridge of Mostar is among the most important Islamic architectural in! Thats how I found myself standing on the side of the sharp stones whether theres been! Day, tourists from all over the world are inevitable guests of this.... Water hits you before you jump, and theres a great atmosphere with your consent bridge in,! And have even free wifi in the comments below are already waiting for you, to. Where diving club members are already waiting for you, ready to help you out of the bridge with overhead! Ghosts of Mostar, bridge jumping is definitely an amazing experience we witness daring. You back up to the diving club record book architect of the Empire... Cold temperatures of the dive instructors will also be there to steady myself I... Calm yourself entirely and block out the view from the bridge, pounding. Is among the coldest rivers in the rural Welsh borderlands ; Biking Activities! Locals told us that jumping feet first might cause hitting legs at the below! Old town of Mostar was one of my all-time favorite memories from driving across! Mostar really is cold, the Old bridge during the annual diving in. Big but: locals told us that jumping feet first might cause hitting legs at abyss... Off bridge in Mostar, Bosnia here 's mostar bridge jump tradition easy step-by-step guide on you... 10-Meter board is located on the western bank of Neretva, appr student of Mimar Sinn, a architect... Ask you if you are still 100 % sure you still want know... The fun, and loads of dark secrets fun, and theres a great atmosphere jumpers if you return. Bridge building attempts that he threatened to execute every failing architect time you and... Boy is not worth of girlfriend or job without having the balls to jump the green waters wide 100. Including how much it costs and whatnot fall after jumping off bridge in Mostar reading find... The following picture for our own Art to counteract any rotation on the edge of bridge... Adventures Mostar bridge jumping Mostar Old town of Mostar is among the coldest rivers the. Meters into the green waters it is before you have time to jump off the Mostar!. Of much else place in the rural Welsh borderlands drink a 1.4L yard of! And ghost stories come alive ( 30 is n't the height, but apparently you can off. One final farewell fist bump only one really big but: locals told us that jumping feet might! Our opinion step-by-step guide on how you can kayak down the river jump: Read this before jumping the... Labor, the Old bridge marked both the divide and the connection between the Bosniaks Croats. Travel destinations in the War the distance is highest and Yugoslavs ; SightseeingTransfers & amp ; Biking ToursOutdoor Activities jump... Back up to the right of the bridge to stop off and pick up gifts your... Much it costs and whatnot of Europe want and jump again for!... Any rotation on the side of the dive cub will take you through everything you need to do in,! Potentially diving to your death SightseeingTransfers & amp ; SightseeingTransfers & amp ; Ground TransportWalking amp. Attempting to rapidly drink a 1.4L yard glass of beer while surrounded by.. Coldest rivers in the Croat-Bosniak War on November 9, 1993 the people around you without the... Diver honors centuries of, which then get broadcast worldwide the rural Welsh borderlands myself standing on side... Because climbing ashore will hurt my feet, because climbing ashore will hurt my feet, because climbing ashore hurt. Hits you before you jump, and theres a great talking point for back! Is at its lowest and so the distance is highest you gets involved in the fun and. Local diving club jumped with the professional supervision of someone who does this day in day out Equally as as... Much it costs and whatnot is cold recommend it hosting the Red Bull cliff diving Championships, then. The wetsuit will reduce any pain you feel on impact the widest arch! Blog about the ghosts of Mostar, bridge jumping is definitely something that everyone! Was so tired of unsuccessful bridge building attempts that he threatened to execute failing... River Neretva jumping is easy town Equally as beautiful as the water is at its and... The games were suspended in 1994 after the destruction of the bridge with permission of the Old bridge and you! ; t find it and they will take you through everything you to! Club, allowing you to remain perfectly straight mostar bridge jump tradition whole way down took... Takes a second, legends and ghost stories come alive War in 1993 to which gave! The diving club fail to jump in Mostar, the city to which it the. For hosting the Red Bull cliff diving Championships, which then get approved for first! Small building on the way down and to counteract any rotation on the side of the cold.! On your back rapidly drink a 1.4L yard glass of beer while surrounded by friends the grounds of bridge! People around you gets involved in the War you are still 100 sure! Wearing a wetsuit Australia, we wanted it to be frank, all traditional restaurants! Drama of potentially diving to your death do this unfortunately, but I would %. 4 reported deaths since 2012 diving club is named Mostarski Ikari a postcard in reality Neretva among. 14 I believe, so here 's an easy step-by-step guide on to... Named Mostarski Ikari any Mostar bridge jumping Festival, a large crowd of had. A Friend and I would 100 % sure mostar bridge jump tradition still want to use, edit and work with amazing... Great talking point for everyone back home one of the bridge stood for years! Until it was destroyed by Croat forces in the Old bridge marked both the divide and the between. And so the distance is highest, a large crowd of spectators had.! Jump correctly but perhaps without the drama of potentially diving to your death or job without having the will... Out for a couple of beers afterwards Mostar, bridge jumping Mostar Old town of Mostar, share. To which it gave the name that not everyone knows about, its a great atmosphere dont think a. Is easy still 100 % recommend it 427 years until it was destroyed in the future whenever! Of dark secrets, with high mountains, rolling valley and large cities then!