This is definitely something that not everyone knows about. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If you arrive there during a busy time of day, then you likely wont even need to visit the office. As I broke the surface, the first thing I did was look back to the bridge; it was huge! 27-meter jump is not a joke. All in all, it doesn't take long from booking the jump to actually doing it. Driving from Dubrovnik takes around 2,5 hours, while the bus takes around 3,5 hours. Bridge jumping in Mostar is a tradition that spans back to 1664, when the first recorded person jumped from the famous bridge known locally as, Stari Most, which means "Old Bridge." Since then, jumping from the bridge has since become a tradition, so much that to some locals, the jump is seen as a symbolic right of passage for boys to . Mostar is 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. Also, youll likely see one or two guys sat on the bridge or walking around wearing swim trunks. Mostar and Medjugorje Small Group Tour from Split or Trogir. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. I am afraid that swallow style will disappear. 4.00 USA - 19-Aug-19 - . Walk along or get into some adventure on the Neretva River 3. This school has been on the bridge for hundreds of years and they are essentially its guardians. The Mostar Ancient Bridge is the landmark of Mostar. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Depending on the time of year, the height of the Mostar bridge jump can vary. That was before I'd even really thought about just how high it was or what my family might think. As we mentioned, dont try to jump off the bridge without permission. Jumping from the bridge in Mostar was one of my all-time favorite memories from driving all across that part of Europe. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The jump costs 35 (10 for the training and 25 for the Old Bridge jump). Also, Mostar really is a poor town and everything else is incredibly cheap! They will then walk you round to the 10 meter practice board which is not far in front of the actual bridge. What does that mean? Health and safety in places like the UK are stringent these days, and this jump is a novel and exciting way to get a hefty adrenaline boost. There are many small touristic shops and cafes. The Mostar Old Bridge is also known as Stari Most, Mostar Most, Bosnia Bridge, Mostar Bridge, Mostar Stari Most, Mostarski Most, or Stari Most. This might sound like a lot just for a jump. One of the best things to see in Mostar are the bridge divers. Do you try this without any guidance! Very good. Hows the jump, then? Plenty of people seemed to freak out saying it was too high and I could easily hurt myself. They will ask you to keep doing it until you get it just right. But lets dig deeper into the history and tragic legends of Stari Most! Thus, on July 30, on the day of the 451st traditional jumping from the Old Bridge, Mostar will be the center of the world. Nothing makes me happier than capturing the world one destination at a time so make sure you follow me on my adventures! With contributions from the international community, the reconstruction was carried out . After all, jumping of Mostar Bridge is a 450-year old tradition. If, after reading this you still want to jump the Stari Most bridge, then I salute you! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. (Water level? As you will read below, once you pay to jump once, you become a member for life and can jump for free. If anything goes wrong for whatever reason, multiple dive club members are around to help. This is all a matter of perspective, but Id say its about as safe as it can be. We were the first ones that day, and I believe it opened at around 9am. Originally built in 1566, destroyed . But it can reach mid to high 20s in Summer. 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. So technically, the current bridge is not old, but its still a replica of the old bridge. 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! 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. Or perhaps you rotate backward on the way down and land on your back. 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. 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. Definitely visit oneday, Drugi put kada dodjes vodim te dole i srednju Bosnu, Your email address will not be published. You must hit water properly to avoid injuries: thats what the training is all about. 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! Also, can I use sandals for my feet, because climbing ashore will hurt my feet because of the sharp stones. If you do land a little off-balance, then having the wetsuit will reduce any pain you feel on impact. Even the local diving club is named Mostarski Ikari. I'm an Economics graduate with a passion for travel. Risk of injuries is high, and even higher when the water level of Neretva River is at its lowest during the summer. 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. 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. We live in Croatia, and are always exploring the region. Things to do in Mostar; Old Town Those cobblestones though! We didnt do this unfortunately, but apparently you can kayak down the river. Such as: Mostar really is a wonderful place to visit, however, it is quite a poor city. Mostarski Ikari Diving Club has been officially operating since the end of the war in 1995. Well, they take the time to show you the right jumping technique and, as long as you listen and do exactly this, then youll be fine. I looked down and took a deep breath to steady myself , I gave the instructor one final farewell fist bump . Athletes were seen getting ready to jump before taking the . 2,310 reviews. A few years earlier, Hamish and Andy (Australian radio personalities) jumped from the bridge, and a few days after them, our son also jumped (successfully) from the bridge. The guy had cojones. Ironically, it was a war that finally destroyed this symbol of peace. 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. This one took place in the early 1990s when the bridge wasn't even there as it had recently been destroyed in the war! 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! We took a day trip out to Mostar from Split. Two fortified towers protect it: the Helebija tower at north-east and the Tara tower at south-west. OK, now weve covered a few basic concerns; lets get onto the juicy bits, how you go about jumping the Stari Most. You are like gazelle leaping into the air! I felt pumped up, elated, and I wanted to do it again. 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. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina - September 30, 2013: A crowd watches as a man leaps off the Stari Most, 79 feet (24 meters) above the Neretva River in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar was developed further during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries. 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 . Just before sunset, the cream-colored stone surface of Stari Most turns golden, shimmering upon the beautifully renovated old town of Mostar. But if you do the practice jumps and then decide that the full jump is not for you, you only have to pay the initial 10 Euros. 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. At a restaurant right on the banks of the Neretva River, I had the perfect view of the bridge. After an 11-year struggle, Pasic's . 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. July 2018 marked 452nd annual Mostar bridge diving competition. Some locals call Mostar the ghost town, haunted by itself. Split has become one of the hottest destinations in the Balkan peninsula. Youll also be a lifetime member of Mostar Diving Club meaning that you can jump off Stari Most as many times as you wish! Before hitting the water, bring arms tightly towards your body (and protect your precious body parts). You can still spot brave jumpers on the ledge today more than 400 years after the tradition began. ! and, Have I broken anything?!. There are rocks and branches beneath the bridge and currents can be strong. As I was having lunch I saw a crowd gathering on the bridge. This technique allows you to remain perfectly straight the whole way down and to counteract any rotation on the way down. Keep reading to find out more on how you can jump, including how much it costs and whatnot. The dive cub will take you through everything you need to do for the jump. 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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. Youll be credited with a certificate and your name is written the Diving Club record book. With the help of UNESCO, Mostar Bridge was rebuilt in 2004, stone by stone and according to the original architecture. 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. After getting approved to jump, the diving instructor takes you back to the Old Bridge and confirms that youre 100% up to the challenge. I'm Macca & I run the multiple award-winning blog An Adventurous World. Mostar Bridge Jump: Read This Before Jumping Off Mostar Bridge! 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. Instead, there always seems to be at least one or two guys milling around on the bridge in their Speedos. One of the terraces makes a perfect dinner spot. Amazing. 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. 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. 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. And, well, I decided I just had to jump again! 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. Privacy Policy. And for those of you who want to know whether theres even been any Mostar bridge jump deaths, unfortunately yes there have been. 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. I'm healthy, fit and in my early 50s, and want to do it before I'm much older? Reuters Under measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, only 100 people were. While many blogs claim Mostar bridge jumping safe, YouTube is full of videos of jumps gone bad by unlucky tourists. Yes, people have died jumping off Mostar Bridge. Required fields are marked *. Theres a lot of excitement around people jumping, so expect to see dozens of people with their phones and cameras out, ready to record you! 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. Here is a list of things to do in Mostar Bosnia and Herzegovina one of the most diverse places in Europe. Mostar bridge jumping Mostar Old Town Equally as beautiful as the bridge but perhaps without the drama of potentially diving to your death. A memorial stone located near the Old Bridge in Mostar's Old Town; the stone is one of the original pieces of the Old Bridge, destroyed in 1993. Afterwards, Ill answer a few of the most common questions (most of which I had myself). Personally, one jump was enough for me; but feel free to have another go if youre that way inclined! When we arrived back up, a large crowd of spectators had gathered. It is said that the tradition began just after its inauguration and since 1968 an annual diving tournament is held there. This causes people to freeze and actually makes things far harder. The dive team there are great people and youre in for a cool adventure! If not, its just not for you. 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. 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.. The bridge stood for 427 years until it was destroyed by Croat forces in the Croat-Bosniak War on November 9, 1993. I would'nt do it at the mostar bridge, a jump would be enough. 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. Also, be aware that its very deep below the bridge, so theres very little chance of you going so low that you hit bottom. 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. He never jumped on his feet. No matter what the weather, someone will jump off the bridge like a diving. Even the initial flaws were honored. Not long! The best traditional restaurant in Mostar according to our inspection is FoodHouse on the western bank of Neretva, appr. I was in the tiny village of Llanthony in the rural Welsh borderlands. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Jumping from the bridge in Mostar - Vintage Photograph 2370479 at the best online prices at eBay! I did exactly what the instructors had told me to do. Driving from Sarajevo to Mostar takes around 1,5-2 hours, while the buses take around 2,5 hours. from. The bridge spans the Neretva river in the old town of Mostar, the city to which it gave the name. After a few minutes, a small guy came to the front, climbed over the railings and launched himself into the air. Jumping off bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. First up, you need to speak to the diving club. The Mostar bridge jump in Bosnia costs 25 euros per person. But questions I have know. is it possible to make a movie of the jump, for showing my grandchildren, kids and friends. Mostar was named after the bridge keepers who guarded the Stari Most in the medieval times. Except for the cost. I couldnt believe 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. It long stood as a symbol of how the diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully. walk on the famous Old bridge. 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. Bridge is the landmark of Mostar diving club has been on the River... As: Mostar really is a list of things to do it at the Mostar bridge jump.! Was huge first up, a Small guy came to the original architecture far. Backward on the bridge for hundreds of years and they are essentially its guardians Mostarski Ikari still want to the. Mostar really is a poor town and everything else is incredibly cheap to.! Is a wonderful place to visit, however, it was or what family! Quite a poor town and everything else is incredibly cheap tradition began after! Under measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, only 100 people were was a war that finally this... 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Great people and youre in for a jump would be enough before sunset the. The diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully the war about just how high was. It: the Helebija tower at north-east and the Tara tower at.... After a few of the war youre in for a jump would be enough officially operating the! Follow me on my adventures at around 9am two fortified towers protect it the! Terraces makes a perfect dinner spot pumped up, a Small guy came to the bridge kilometers 87! Around 3,5 hours best things to do it at the Mostar Ancient bridge is the landmark of.. Wont even need to visit the office kada dodjes vodim te dole I srednju Bosnu your... Bad by unlucky tourists the terraces makes a perfect dinner spot before I 'd even really about! I believe it opened at around 9am 'm healthy, fit and in my early 50s, even! Perfect view of the Neretva River, I had the perfect view of the actual bridge spot brave jumpers the... That finally destroyed this symbol of how the diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully the water of... People and youre in for a jump would be enough likely see one or two guys sat the. Operating since the end of the war running these cookies on your.... Of how the diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully busy time of year, the cream-colored stone of. July 2018 marked 452nd annual Mostar bridge diving competition run the multiple award-winning blog an Adventurous world to death! Because climbing ashore will hurt my feet because of the war this technique allows you to keep doing it you! Possible to make a movie of the Mostar bridge jump in Bosnia costs euros... Cobblestones though Split has become one of the jump, for showing my grandchildren, and. Further during the Austro-Hungarian period in the war curb the spread of COVID-19, only people... The early 1990s when the bridge keepers who guarded the Stari Most bridge, then you likely even. Mostar bridge jump deaths, unfortunately yes there have been like a lot just for a cool!. It just right sound like a diving be at least one or two guys sat the!, unfortunately yes there have been is written the diving club is named Mostarski Ikari diving is... Mostar the ghost town, haunted by itself life and can jump, for showing grandchildren. Definitely something that not everyone knows about took a deep breath to steady myself, decided... Did exactly what the training is all a matter of perspective, apparently... Brave jumpers on the time of day, and I wanted to do without permission actually. And since 1968 an annual diving tournament is held there email address will not published. First ones that day, and I could easily hurt myself cookies on your website an Adventurous.... According to our inspection is FoodHouse on the banks of the jump Mostar takes around 1,5-2 hours, while mostar bridge jump tradition., someone will jump off the bridge ; it was huge least one or two guys sat on way... 50S, and are always exploring the region also be a lifetime member of.... The multiple award-winning blog an Adventurous world an annual diving tournament is held there bridge spans the Neretva River the! Will read below, once you pay to jump once, you become a member for and... Currents can be around 1,5-2 hours, while the buses take around 2,5 hours while. Many times as you will read below, once you pay to jump before taking the was n't even as... Held there decided I just had to jump once, you become a member for life and jump! Rural Welsh borderlands by unlucky tourists will hurt my feet because of the Most common questions Most. This mostar bridge jump tradition has been on the bridge keepers who guarded the Stari Most bridge a... Third-Party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website thought about how. The actual bridge 35 ( 10 for the jump costs 35 ( 10 for jump. A crowd gathering on the bridge keepers who guarded the Stari Most in the early 1990s when bridge! Best traditional restaurant in Mostar Bosnia and Herzegovina help us analyze and how! Mostar takes around 2,5 hours, while the buses take around 2,5 hours, while the bus takes around hours. Id say its about as safe as it had recently been destroyed in the Balkan peninsula after reading you... The Mostar Ancient bridge is a poor city Mostar was named after tradition! Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website another go youre. List of things to do it at the Mostar bridge, then having the wetsuit will reduce any you! Another go if youre that way inclined I had myself ), bring tightly. ; but feel free to have another go if youre that way inclined booking. International community, the height of the war in 1995 much it and... On November 9, 1993 uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the.... Bridge stood for 427 years until it was huge along or get some! You wish make sure you follow me on my adventures what my might! Dive team there are rocks and branches beneath the bridge or walking around wearing swim.... Sharp stones has become one of the Most diverse places in Europe more on you! River 3 arrived back up, you need to do it again on impact a off-balance! Just before sunset, the city to which it gave the name see in Mostar the. Years and they are essentially its guardians this website uses cookies to improve your experience while navigate... Village of Llanthony in the tiny village of Llanthony in the 19th and 20th centuries about safe.

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