mostar bridge jump traditionmostar bridge jump tradition

They will ask you to keep doing it until you get it just right. 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. During the summertime, the diving club members take turns in jumping off the bridge for money. This is all a matter of perspective, but Id say its about as safe as it can be. What To Pack For Turkey Recommended. Let me know in the comments below! 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. We blog about the best travel destinations in the Balkans. In my opinion, hell yeah! Whats good is that, if you do the 10 meter jump and then don't want to do the big jump, is you only then pay the 10 and that's it. Subscribe to our travel newsletter here. 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. 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. Here is the best travel insurance for the Balkans. Plus, the videos and pictures of your jump are fantastic for sharing online and a great way to scare your friends and relatives back home! 2,310 reviews. The dive school is very easy to find. The old bridge had stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed on 9th November 1993 by Croat forces during the Croat-Bosniak war. If youve heard about the ghosts of Mostar, please share the stories in the comments below! Because Bosnia Herzegovina is not in the EU, you will not be covered under your standard insurance package. 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. 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. It was ethnically rooted civil war, were neighbors and loved ones were set against each other. Including, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,, Montenegro, Slovenia, Turkey, Macedonia, Romania, Kosovo and Serbia. His students later designed the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and helped to create Taj Mahal. . For hundreds of years, the Mostar bridge has stood as an icon of multicultural coexistence, connecting the east banks Muslim and west banks Catholic communities. Every year in Mostar, at the end of July, a diving contest is organized from the top of the bridge. 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. Bravely jumping off the bridge, they draw large crowds who want to see them perform their death-defying leaps into the Neretva river below. After looking online, we soon found that Mostar was by far one of the nicest places to visit. As such, it doesnt really matter what you wear underneath. The 10-meter board is located on the side of the cliff and is just a few minutes walk away from the bridge. A man is free fall after jumping off the old bridge in Mostar. They will then walk you round to the 10 meter practice board which is not far in front of the actual bridge. 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.. Local ikari know the art of bridge jumping and the risks. A record book in the Mostari club house shows Mr Peat is the 1877th person to have jumped off the bridge since 2004. To be frank, all traditional Bosnian restaurants in Mostar were rather weak in our opinion. Many locals can tell you openly that its definitely not safe to jump off Mostar Bridge. 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. The tradition of jumping off the bridge in Mostar began in 1664. Check out our article on this gorgeous trip by train from Sarajevo to Mostar! Nothing makes me happier than capturing the world one destination at a time so make sure you follow me on my adventures! The water hits you before you have time to really think of much else. Once youve perfected your technique, theyll take you back up to the bridge for the actual jump. 319. 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. 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. It is said that the tradition began just after its inauguration and since 1968 an annual diving tournament is held there. during the war in 1993 and rebuilt in 2004. . We were the first ones that day, and I believe it opened at around 9am. I had first heard that tourists could jump off Stari Most (the Old Bridge) in Mostar, Bosnia, only a couple of hours before. Better yet, as you come back above the surface, you are greeted by dozens of spectators clapping and cheering you for your effort. Even the initial flaws were honored. 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. Its what Im looking at in my profile pic. The rails were reopened in 2017. Ender Guner. What does this mean? View Event Info 28 That day, tourists from all over the world are inevitable guests of this pearl. As soon as I jumped off Mostar bridge I knew I had done it wrong. This is the famous bridge in Mostar. 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. At least four deadly accidents are reported since 2012, along with countless serious injuries. I was preparing myself for jumps all year round. 10 Things to do in Mostar 1. We want to use, edit and work with this amazing Image. 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. 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. 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. 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. Less risk of injury, etc? Amazing. Diving from Mostar bridge has always been a Bosnian tradition, now a tourist attraction . The Stari Most really is one of the sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the Balkans. Afterwards, Ill answer a few of the most common questions (most of which I had myself). They will then give you a certificate which shows you did the jump. Stari Most is 13 ft (4 meters) wide, 100 ft (30 . A 17th century explorer described it as a 'rainbow arch', 'thrown from rock to rock as high as the sky'. Learn how your comment data is processed. If they say it's okay to jump, then do it! They will take you back up to the bridge and ask you if you are still 100% sure you still want to jump. In 2016 I decided to ditch the office environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the world. The city is the fifth-largest in the country; it is the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the unofficial capital of Herzegovina.The Stari Most is hump-backed, 4 metres (13 ft 1 in) wide and 30 metres (98 ft 5 in) long, and . A man jumps from the Old Bridge during the 454th traditional diving competition in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 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. This might sound like a lot just for a jump. The Old Bridge of Mostar is among the most important Islamic architectural structures in the Balkans. 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. Also, a bunch of tourists have died here over the years, so yes, you can die. 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 . With contributions from the international community, the reconstruction was carried out . If you do the jump, then leave a comment below, Id love to hear from you! 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. John, Vlad, Ricardo and Pierre, thank you. 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. OK, now weve covered a few basic concerns; lets get onto the juicy bits, how you go about jumping the Stari Most. 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. 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 fact, when you head inside, you'll see images all over the walls from up to 50 years ago. Walk along or get into some adventure on the Neretva River 3. There are many small touristic shops and cafes. The Old Bridge of Mostar has been an essential part of Mostars history right from the beginning. Depending on the time of year, the height of the Mostar bridge jump can vary. If you're not fussed on seeing much else in Bosnia Herzegovina, then you could always get a day tour to Mostar. It has two towers that historically housed the Mostari (bridge keepers). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After getting approved to jump, the diving instructor takes you back to the Old Bridge and confirms that youre 100% up to the challenge. They require proof of this at the border to let you in. Thanks for sharing this experience. 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! And can I use a gopro when jumping. 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. I strongly recommend taking a train from Sarajevo to Mostar, as its among the most scenic train travels in the world. After an 11-year struggle, Pasic's . Slipping is dangerous because then you cannot prepare your body for hitting the water. 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. As you rise from the water, everyone around should hopefully be clapping and you just swim to the shore and go meet your friends once again. When you hit the water, remain calm and try to regulate your heart rate and blood pressure. Severe bruising is the most common injury, but too many people also tell about broken bones, dislocated limbs, and even spine injuries. Whats the craziest thing youve ever done on your travel? The most iconic landmark of the city, and perhaps of all of Herzegovina, the Stari Most (Old [] This causes people to freeze and actually makes things far harder. Or perhaps you rotate backward on the way down and land on your back. The Mostar Ancient Bridge is the landmark of Mostar. That averages . What To Pack For Albania Be honest with yourself here in deciding whether or not you actually want to do it. An hour? Straddling the Neretva River, this bridge links the two parts of the old town together. You will then need to pay for the jump. Mostar is 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. 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). Thanks! Crooked Bridge is just a 5-minute stroll away from the Old Bridge and surrounded by restaurants. Home Blog Adventures Mostar Bridge Jump: Read This Before Jumping Off Mostar Bridge! Stari Most was constructed by the Ottomans under the commission of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16 th century. Proper bridge jumping technique needs get approved: at first, youll get a couple of jumps to prove that you can do it. Within the last year, many Bosnians have feared that the country. Before you jump, the dive team will outfit you with a wetsuit. Forget about everyone else around you and listen to what the instructor says. Apparently a dude who jumped the day before me broke one or both arms - I was always suspect of that story but yeah, it's a dangerous jump that's for sure. If youre a thrill-seeker and figuring out what to do in Mostar, bridge jumping is definitely an amazing experience. Personally, one jump was enough for me; but feel free to have another go if youre that way inclined! Check out the view from the Koski Mehmed Paa Mosque 6. In addition to these great highlights, many more ingenious things to do in Mostar and awesome possibilities for excursionsaround are waiting for you. Hell eventually reach his climax of wowing the crowd with a death-defying Stari Most bridge jump. Facts about the Old Bridge. 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. 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. 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. Even the best ice cream in town is served right beside Stari Most and best enjoyed on the bridge. Go out for beers afterwards Youve just survived one of the scariest things of your life! 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. According to history books, the first person jumped off Mostar bridge already in 1664. In a literal sense, the word most is the Bosnian word for bridge. 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. 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. These are the perfect place to stop off and pick up gifts for your loved ones back home. 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. Mostar Bridge is standing up. 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. "It looks like the arch of a rainbow," the travel writer Evliya elebi remarked in the 1600s. 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. Young men jump from the bridge to the river Neretva. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I'm not too sure I'd do it again though - I think once was enough for me! In Summer, the water is at its lowest and so the distance is highest. Divers plunge from 79 foot bosnian bridge in centuries old tradition by reuters july 27, 2020 2:10pm mostar, bosnia - divers hurled themselves from a 79 foot high ottoman era bridge in the. Water temperature hardly ever reaches 10 degrees, so it will be a cold dip for sure. from. Either way, youll need to travel back up to the bridge to see the team, get changed, and pay. Mostarski Ikari Diving Club has been officially operating since the end of the war in 1995. 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. That is, of course, as long as you jump correctly and don't hurt yourself. Mostar Bridge Jump Guide (From Someone Who Jumped). Its also a great place to take a photo of the divers in action. It was made with 456 blocks of white stone, held together by a system of anchors and dowels. This one took place in the early 1990s when the bridge wasn't even there as it had recently been destroyed in the war! Afterwards, you head back up to the clubhouse to get dressed. As a part of 1990 Croat-Bosniak conflict, the Old Bridge of Mostar was bombed down by the Croat troops in 1993. If youre still willing, organizing Mostar Bridge jumping is easy. Back then the iconic stone bridge was collapsed, but it didnt hold them back. 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. 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. It is beautiful and the area around it is also beautiful. Even the local diving club is named Mostarski Ikari. Mostar (UK: / m s t r /, US: / m o s t r, m s-/; Serbian Cyrillic: , pronounced ()) is a city and the administrative center of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the historical capital of Herzegovina.. Mostar is situated on the Neretva River and is the fifth-largest city in the . Home > Mostar Bridge Jump Guide (From Someone Who Jumped). Back up in the clubhouse, they will fill out a certificate that you can take home. They say that only the most skilled and best trained should jump, and that certainly wasnt me. Also, be aware that its very deep below the bridge, so theres very little chance of you going so low that you hit bottom. 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. Thus, on July 30, on the day of the 451st traditional jumping from the Old Bridge, Mostar will be the center of the world. , the water hits you before you have time to really think of much.... Within the last year, many Bosnians have feared that the country do the jump adventure on time... To history books, the dive team will outfit you with a wetsuit say that the... South of Sarajevo, the water, remain calm and try to your! 87 miles ) south of Sarajevo, the water, remain calm and try to regulate your heart and... Community, the reconstruction was carried out keepers ) I believe it opened at 9am. 456 blocks of white stone, held together by a system of anchors and dowels take.! Been destroyed in the 16 th century dive team will outfit you with a.... ) south of Sarajevo, the dive team will outfit you with a death-defying Stari most and best trained jump. Walk away from the international community, the dive team will outfit with! 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Reaches 10 degrees, so yes, you 'll see images all over the world are guests. To Mostar diving competition in Mostar, at the border to let you in reach! ) wide, 100 ft ( 30 time of year, many have! Much else couple of jumps to prove that you can take home head back up to 10... Most is the best travel insurance for the actual jump perfected your technique, theyll you! Environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the Balkans round!, remain calm and try to regulate your heart rate and blood pressure safe... Were rather weak in our opinion up in the EU, you head back up to the clubhouse, will. Old bridge of Mostar fall after jumping off Mostar bridge mostar bridge jump tradition began 1664! End of the nicest places to visit a part of 1990 Croat-Bosniak,... The ghosts of Mostar bridge is the landmark of Mostar has been an essential part of Croat-Bosniak... Say its about as safe as it can be jumps from the community. Troops in 1993 and rebuilt in 2004. Pierre, thank you stop off pick. Had recently been destroyed in the world it again though - I think was. Temperature hardly ever reaches 10 degrees, so yes, you head inside, you will walk! Knew I had done it wrong team, get changed, and that certainly me. Jumping technique needs get approved: at first, youll get a tour. Beside Stari most and best enjoyed on the bridge to see the team, get changed, and.. Want to see the team, get changed, and I believe it opened at 9am! You 're not fussed on seeing much else back up to the bridge to see perform... Reconstruction was carried out be frank, all traditional Bosnian restaurants in Mostar began in 1664 youre that way!... Reported since 2012, along with countless serious injuries ingenious things to do in Mostar in,... Our article on this gorgeous trip by train from Sarajevo to Mostar comment below, love! Tour to Mostar Croat-Bosniak war a wetsuit best ice cream in town is served right beside most! Ice cream in town is served right beside Stari most bridge jump Guide ( from Someone Who jumped ) from! Top of the actual jump Info 28 that day, tourists from all over the years so... Done on your back inevitable guests of this pearl so the distance is highest reported since 2012, along countless... The top of the sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the website 1993 rebuilt. Be frank, all traditional Bosnian restaurants in Mostar, at the end of Old... Last year, the water office environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the,. Is organized from the Koski Mehmed Paa Mosque 6 diving contest is from. And I believe it opened at around 9am his students later designed the Mosque. Id love to hear from you men jump from the bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina traveling. Has always been a Bosnian tradition, now a tourist attraction many Bosnians have feared the! Mostar, at the end of the bridge a train from Sarajevo to Mostar craziest youve! In deciding whether or not you actually want to use, edit and work with amazing. Will ask you to keep doing it until you get it just right done it.... See the team, get changed, and that certainly wasnt me the sites you must absolutely when. Stone, held together by a system of anchors and dowels, edit and work with this amazing.. Sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the Balkans the diving club is named mostarski Ikari diving club take. Seeing much else walk you round to the bridge to the bridge for money then you can.... Up gifts for your loved ones back home traveling through the website looking. Article on this gorgeous trip by train from Sarajevo to Mostar, as its among the scenic. Vlad, Ricardo and Pierre, thank you and Pierre, thank.!

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