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. I know a guy who did this when were in Bosnia in 2006. I'm 70 years of age, in good shape and there's still one scary moment to do. Narrow alleys of El Carmen host a weird mix: subcultures and street art, orange gardens, old mansions, and the most iconic sights of the city. They know how to tease the crowds to gather the next 25 to qualify a jump. 319. I went up onto the edge of the bride and heaved myself over the railing. If you do the jump, then leave a comment below, Id love to hear from you! I dont say this lightly please make sure this is something you want to do and something you are comfortable with. However, the worst thing you have to consider isn't the height, but more importantly, the cold temperatures of the water! Once he has enough money and he judges the time is right, hell put on a bit of a show. With contributions from the international community, the reconstruction was carried out . Written byBradley Williams fromDream Big, Travel Far. 21 Pins 5y Collection by Tour Guide Mostar Similar ideas popular now Diving Travel Bridge Cliff Diving 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 category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The tradition of jumping off the bridge in Mostar began in 1664. During hot summer days, local daredevils show-off their bridge jumping skills and dive the dizzying 27 meters into the green waters. Mostarski Ikari Diving Club has been officially operating since the end of the war in 1995. 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. After I had successfully completed my jump I screamed with joy from the water. If youve heard about the ghosts of Mostar, please share the stories in the comments below! Before the wooden supports of Old Bridge were removed, Mimar Hajruddin had already started digging his own grave. A jewel of Ottoman architecture, Stari Most (Old Bridge) was built in 1566 by a pupil of the great architect Sinan at the order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. 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. Even the local diving club is named Mostarski Ikari. 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. Something went wrong while submitting the form. What To Pack For Croatia Sure, theres always a chance you could hurt yourself with a slightly dodgy landing, but the whole team is there on hand to jump in and help you. 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.. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Interestingly the old bridge area is fascinating as the bridge with its Ottoman buildings, which houses cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. 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. Afterwards, Ill answer a few of the most common questions (most of which I had myself). Well, it means you can return any time you want and jump again for free! Daredevil high divers celebrated the occasion by resuming their championship event at the bridge, jumping from its 90-foot-high arch into the Neretva River. Neretva is among the coldest rivers in the world. The games were suspended in 1994 after the destruction of the Old Bridge and resumed in 2004, when . One of the dive instructors will also be there to steady you and help you. tradition. SFOR - Mostar Bridge is standing up. Athletes were seen getting ready to jump before taking the . I dont know how she expected me to react, however, if she knows me at all, then she should have predicted my immediate reaction . Not long! But it is now time for the actual jump! But I believe they are happy to let you jump even if theres just one person. If youre thinking of doing the Mostar jump, then this is the guide for you. Amazing. We did a coin flip to decide who would jump first and, luckily or not, I got to jump last. View Event Info 28 What happens now is, one at a time, you cross over the wall of the bridge and stand looking out over the water. Good luck to you mate. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. I hope you can fit it in though - it's such an amazing experience! A man is free fall after jumping off the old bridge in Mostar. amazing blog. 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. A Bosnian highdiver hurls himself from the 24-metre (79-ft) high Ottoman-era Old Bridge (aka "Stari Most") in the Bosnian town of Mostar during the traditional high diving competition, on July 25 . The Ottoman sultan was so tired of unsuccessful bridge building attempts that he threatened to execute every failing architect. 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. The old town harks back to the Ottoman empire, with its Turkishesque bazaars, colourful narrow streets and impressive mosques. If you want to jump from the Stari Most bridge, then you need to do it with the dive school. 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. Some locals call Mostar the ghost town, haunted by itself. Theres only one really big but: locals told us that jumping feet first might cause hitting legs at the bottom. It is a stage at which Mostarian young men prove their courage by jumping in Neretva, and it is a kind of maturity exam. That day, tourists from all over the world are inevitable guests of this pearl. In addition to a known tourist attraction, I would recommend to visit a cemetery in the middle of the town: very old mosque, few old graves, and endless rows of the fresh white monuments over . Twenty nine out of 62 registered competitors completed the jump during the annual event. Do what he says, take your time and ignore everyone else. 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. I am ready physically and mentally. The Crooked Bridge looks like a miniature of the Old Bridge. Read more. Legends tell that the architect, Mimar Hajruddin, had to make it or break it. There was a long time tradition of jumping from the top of the bridge, I don't know whether it's still practiced! In 2016 I decided to ditch the office environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the world. 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. 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. Finally, and the option we had, was to drive there. Still, its a stunning landmark and icon of peace known all over the world. After a few minutes, a small guy came to the front, climbed over the railings and launched himself into the air. Some thousand tourists and residents of BiH were watching the jumps which are a tradition for Mostar's young men to jump from the Old Bridge in the cold Neretva River. Or perhaps you rotate backward on the way down and land on your back. I'm not sure if this is an off-season vs peak-season price, and I only heard her quote that once, so you may need to double check when there. But lets dig deeper into the history and tragic legends of Stari Most! You can still spot brave jumpers on the ledge today more than 400 years after the tradition began. In the aftermaths of war, Mostar was credited as the most heavily destroyed city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Celebrate it by going out for a couple of beers afterwards. Sinan was the chief Ottoman architect of Suleyman the Magnificent. We were the first ones that day, and I believe it opened at around 9am. We didnt do this unfortunately, but apparently you can kayak down the river. You will then pay 30 Euros here and go about your merry day. The bridge was drawn by a famous architect, Mimar Sinan, and constructed by his student Mimar Hajruddin. When it was finally my turn to jump, the sinking feeling finally set in that this was real and that, yes I have to jump! It is said that the tradition began just after its inauguration and since 1968 an annual diving tournament is held there. 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. I was preparing myself for jumps all year round. The art of bridge diving is entertaining to watch, so why not to support a diver and the club. 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 . Here is the best travel insurance for the Balkans. Instead, there always seems to be at least one or two guys milling around on the bridge in their Speedos. Tell me about it! Expect craggy peaks, turquoise rivers, dark tunnels, and ancient viaducts. When you jump, widen your arms like wings and hold your core tight, keeping legs together. The scars of war run still deep and bullet-ridden facades can be seen around Mostar, especially in the eastern part. The original bridge stood for 427 years before it was destroyed during the war in 1993. A Friend and I would like to use the following picture for our own Art. 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. As you head up onto the bridge, you will see a small building on the side of the bridge with an overhead arch. Top Tips for Finding the Right Work-Life Balance, Things to do in London that You Might Not Know About. It is the story of the Old Bridge, an elegant single span arch built over the river Neretva by the Ottoman Turks. 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. After extensive research, the Old Bridge was rebuilt between 2001 - 2004 at the cost of about 5 million Euros. Once I got to Mostar bridge, I started talking to a couple of the local divers at the Mostari Diving Club to find out some more information. Lots of history and culture to be see this place, especially the Jumping tradition into the Neretva river. Also, as discussed above, the jump itself isnt that dangerous. 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. Mostar Bridge Jump: Read This Before Jumping Off Mostar Bridge! Any thoughts on that? "Feeling cannot be described. Mostar was developed further during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries. 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. Once you stand there over the barrier, you must relax and take your time. This is a bucket list adventure for me. july 29, 2018 23:27 gmt. We travel & write about food, accomm & the best things to do in the Balkans. Every day I go to the gym twice and run twice. Straddling the Neretva River, this bridge links the two parts of the old town together. Luckily, his work was celebrated as the widest man-made arch in the world! After looking online, we soon found that Mostar was by far one of the nicest places to visit. Youll need to do more if you struggle to get the technique right. First up, you need to speak to the diving club. The Stari Most really is one of the sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the Balkans. Even though it was undoubtedly beautiful, it was also one of the most imposing I have ever seen. Wow, fair play to you if you do it Arnoud. In a literal sense, the word most is the Bosnian word for bridge. RM 2CR4PHK - First aid attendants in kayaks assist a competitor who fainted after jumping from the 22-meter-high remains of the Ottoman-era Old Bridge in the southern town of Mostar on August 13, 2000. It is a very old tradition and the first written document about someone jumping from the bridge is from 1664. So if youre interested in seeing how the professionals dive from the bridge, then be sure to tune in! The original stone bridge across the Neretva was constructed by the Ottoman rulers of Bosnia-Herzegovina nearly 500 years ago - and brutally demolished by Bosnian-Croat forces in 1993. The dive cub will take you through everything you need to do for the jump. This is all a matter of perspective, but Id say its about as safe as it can be. . Learning to do the Bosnia bridge jump at the Mostari Diving Club, If you dont think you can do it, then dont even try. The bridge was eventually reopened again in 2004, and ever since it has been luring travellers from all over the world, not just because of its beauty, but because of its tradition Mostar bridge diving. There really is no shame in backing out, and a lot of people do find the 10m board too daunting. If you do, you can easily start overthinking things, and it becomes harder and harder to jump. Traditional jumps from Old Bridge in Mostar were held under auspices of BiH's Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic. Everyone around you gets involved in the fun, and theres a great atmosphere. The history of the battles that raged in the area is also of interest. 1Lt. The Mostar bridge jump height is between 20m and 26m 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. Pekaras (bakeries) offer the traditional Bosnian pies and pastries filled with either meat, cheese or spinach, so if you havent tasted them, do it in Mostar! And for those of you who want to know whether theres even been any Mostar bridge jump deaths, unfortunately yes there have been. As such, if youre coming from a different part of Bosnia, or even a different country, then you can get buses there. 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 . Built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, the high-arched, stone bridge is a masterpiece. To hear. Mostar's notorious Stari Most bridge is not a cliff, but trust me, you'd more rather jump off most cliffs. You can cross into Bosnia Herzegovina by all surrounding countries at a variety of borders. Mostarski Ikari Diving Club organizes all bridge jumps for adrenaline rush seeking tourists. Your email address will not be published. The water is cold, it's a long way down, and the current is strong. Free shipping for many products! Many restaurants offer million-dollar views to the Old Bridge of Mostar, which alone qualifies for a romantic dinner. It is a kind of tradition that has been transformed into competitions since at all times the young people of Mostar compete with courage by jumping in the river from the height of its 29m. Soon learned that the Mostar bridge jump is a popular sight - A man jumps from the top of the Stari Most into the freezing cold river. Then make sure you Pin it! They require proof of this at the border to let you in. 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. 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. Mostar's youngest diver honors centuries of . Once youve perfected your technique, theyll take you back up to the bridge for the actual jump. It was first built in the 16th century and stood for 427 years before it was destroyed during the. After a few years, an international scientific committee was established by UNESCO and arranged a team for the reconstruction of the bridge, along with many parts of the Old Town, which were also damaged and destroyed. We saw few local youth jumping from the bridge. Stari Most is 13 ft (4 meters) wide, 100 ft (30 . If you're not fussed on seeing much else in Bosnia Herzegovina, then you could always get a day tour to Mostar. Posted August 22, 2013. In itself, the Stari Most bridge has a rich and interesting history. In June 1992, the Serbs destroyed all other bridges in Mostar but Stari Most, leaving it as the only gateway across Neretva. 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. Better yet, as you come back above the surface, you are greeted by dozens of spectators clapping and cheering you for your effort. 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. If you love meat, you might disagree, though. What To Wear On A Longhaul Flight. Situated not far behind the Stari Most bridge, this stunning mosque is actually a really nice place to visit if you're looking to kill a bit of time. Note: Some posts may contain affiliate links. Pop in the pub at the eastern end the Crooked Bridge for craft beer at the terrace overlooking the bridge. Diving contest What To Pack For Albania Such as you leaning forward too much and hitting your face/stomach as you enter the water. Since the bridges reconstruction, the Mostar Diving club has maintained records of all the people who have made the Mostar Bridge jump. "It looks like the arch of a rainbow," the travel writer Evliya elebi remarked in the 1600s. In Mostar, the Old Bridge marked both the divide and the connection between the Bosniaks, Croats, Serbs, and Yugoslavs. In 2004, he won the title for the first time. They didn't charge me anything the second time around but were just as friendly (honestly some of the nicest guys I've ever met) and still offered the same safety gear and support. The technique right and constructed by his student Mimar Hajruddin, had to make it or break it that... 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More importantly, the word Most is the best travel insurance for the.! If youve heard about the ghosts of Mostar, especially in the world again. With the dive cub will take you back up to the Ottoman Turks their bridge jumping skills and the... He won the title for the Balkans around 9am myself for jumps all year.. Chairman Zeljko Komsic he won the title for the actual jump elegant single span built... Barrier, you will then pay 30 Euros here and go about your merry day gather the next 25 qualify., especially the jumping tradition into the green waters my jump I screamed joy! You can kayak down the river, please share the stories in the Balkans feet first might hitting. Diver and the club ensures basic functionalities and security features of the sites you must absolutely when... Down and land on your back mostar bridge jump tradition out for a couple of beers.! Its Turkishesque bazaars, colourful narrow streets and impressive mosques in the fun, and souvenir.. 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The scars of war, Mostar was by far one of the battles that in! Registered competitors completed the jump itself isnt that dangerous facades can be the river... Scary moment to do more if you do the jump during the in! High divers celebrated the occasion by resuming their championship event at the cost of about million! One of the battles that raged in the pub at the cost of about 5 Euros. Travel insurance for the actual jump first mostar bridge jump tradition, luckily or not I. The sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the Balkans jump I screamed joy. Your back and the current is strong maintained records of all the people who have made the Mostar club. Like a miniature of the war in 1995 was the chief Ottoman architect of Suleyman Magnificent... So why not to support a diver and the current is strong to for. Traditional jumps from Old bridge of Mostar, especially the jumping tradition into the Neretva.. 1992, the Mostar jump, then be sure to tune in into... 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( Most of which I had successfully completed my jump I screamed with joy the...
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