mostar bridge jump tradition

i've been to Mostar before and walked the bridge. Theres another bridge a few hundred metres down and you can head there and get a side-on view of the bridge if that helps. Water temperature hardly ever reaches 10 degrees, so it will be a cold dip for sure. It's only 23 metres high, think you can handle it? Adrenaline is at its highest level," said one excited participant, Bojan Vasic. 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. 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. Would you ever be as stupid as me and jump off the bridge at Mostar? If you're not fussed on seeing much else in Bosnia Herzegovina, then you could always get a day tour to Mostar. The old bridge had stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed on 9th November 1993 by Croat forces during the Croat-Bosniak war. One of the best things to see in Mostar are the bridge divers. In itself, the Stari Most bridge has a rich and interesting history. Check out our article on this gorgeous trip by train from Sarajevo to Mostar! It popped into my head again the other day. Old Bridge (Stari Most): Mostar Bridge Jump - See 4,348 traveler reviews, 4,333 candid photos, and great deals for Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, at Tripadvisor. If anything goes wrong for whatever reason, multiple dive club members are around to help. With the help of UNESCO, Mostar Bridge was rebuilt in 2004, stone by stone and according to the original architecture. My wife and I visited Mostar as part of a day trip from Dubrovnik. 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. Plum Fair in Gradaac from 23 to 27 of August: More Bosnia and Herzegovina records economic growth:Tourism is an increasingly important sector Damir Roajac, confectionery virtuoso, world champion and Vacks judge: He thrilled Zaim Merdan, one of the most famous names of BH culinary Bosnian woman on the MasterChef Slovenia team: Alma Reki teaches Slovenians Baarija: Historical and Cultural Center of Sarajevo, Pannonian lakes in Tuzla better and more accessible than ever. But in May, when we jumped, it was roughly 22-23 metres high. That 20 will also make you a member of the dive club, allowing you to jump in the future again whenever you want. 1,426. A Friend and I would like to use the following picture for our own Art. Mostar is 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. Celebrate it by going out for a couple of beers afterwards. To hear. The water is cold, it's a long way down, and the current is strong. . The injuries, such as broken bones, could get you into serious trouble in the water. Learn how your comment data is processed. It's a postcard in reality. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a varied landscape, with high mountains, rolling valley and large cities. Mostar's youngest diver honors centuries of . The trains run all the way to Capljina near the Croatian coast, from where you can take a bus to Dubrovnik, Split, or Makarska. 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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). The Old Bridge is certainly a haunting sight after dark when day-tripping tourists are swept away, and only occasional locals traverse the stone arch. That day, tourists from all over the world are inevitable guests of this pearl. 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. 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. The Mostar Ancient Bridge is the landmark of Mostar. The bridge was drawn by a famous architect, Mimar Sinan, and constructed by his student Mimar Hajruddin. Every day I go to the gym twice and run twice. Multiple dive club members stand on the bridge and down by the water. Some of the original limestones were rescued from the bottom of the Neretva River to celebrate the resurrection of Stari Most. That is, of course, as long as you jump correctly and don't hurt yourself. The games were suspended in 1994 after the destruction of the Old Bridge and resumed in 2004, when . The 10-meter board is located on the side of the cliff and is just a few minutes walk away from the bridge. In fact, most people visitingSplit or Dubrovnikin Croatia will take a day trip to Mostar to see the iconic bridge. More than an architectural masterpiece was lost. When we arrived back up, a large crowd of spectators had gathered. Personally, I still kept on my swim shorts. I knew I only had one shot at this thing. 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. Mostar was developed further during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries. Afterwards, you head back up to the clubhouse to get dressed. I am happy to report that nearly 400 years later this tradition is still very much alive. Alternatively, just rent a car and they should handle anything like that for you! Be prepared to the cold river and wear a wetsuit if its provided or just bathe in cold water. And can I use a gopro when jumping. It was such an amazing experience, and in nearly ten years only about 750 foreigners have jumped off Stari Most, so its one of the most unique things to do in Mostar. You must hit water properly to avoid injuries: thats what the training is all about. 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. He says that unfortunately this year, none of the long-standing jumpers will dare to perform swallow flight. 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 . Thus, on July 30, on the day of the 451st traditional jumping from the Old Bridge, Mostar will be the center of the world. 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. The Mostar bridge jump in Bosnia costs 25 euros per person. "It looks like the arch of a rainbow," the travel writer Evliya elebi remarked in the 1600s. Scared? A painstakingly faithful replica was completed in 2004. 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. Which is more than the 30 Euros I paid in 2018. Thank you! And I can personally validate that this is true. All I could think about was do not fuck this up, do NOT fuck this up, while the dozens of tourists who were all clamouring to take my photo were probably thinking the opposite; I really hope he fucks this up.. The 16th-century bridge was destroyed in 1993 and reconstructed in in 2004. Tourists can join in too and become members of the Mostar diving club. 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. Swim to the shore, where diving club members are already waiting for you, ready to help you out of the cold water. When the river is low, the height of the bridge can be up to 28 meters, while during spring the height can be only 24 meters. If not, its just not for you. Divers jumped from the Bosnia and Herzegovina's historic Mostar Bridge on Sunday, in a tradition dating back to the 17th century. 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! Feel the presence of Michelangelo, the Borgia Pope and other anxious souls still searching for their atonement. We took a day trip out to Mostar from Split. Entrance to the Koski Mehmed mosque is just 6 Euros. I heard the lady quote one person 50 Euros to jump. You can jump off the Mostar Old Bridge with permission of the Dive Club to the right of the bridge. Read Also: The Top 5 Cities to Visit in Bosnia And Herzegovina. Sinan was the chief Ottoman architect of Suleyman the Magnificent. 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. Imagine you are looking down off the bridge in the direction you jump (with the current flowing away from you), the dive school is to your right. Once there is sufficient collection, the Mostar bridge jump takes a second. 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. I bet hundreds of agonized souls have jumped off the bridge to their death and even greater number of civilians are raped and murdered during the wars. In the Bosnian parts of Mostar, around 60-70% of houses were totally destroyed or badly damaged. But lets dig deeper into the history and tragic legends of Stari Most! Expect craggy peaks, turquoise rivers, dark tunnels, and ancient viaducts. Personally, one jump was enough for me; but feel free to have another go if youre that way inclined! Special memories of being there! 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. I hope you can fit it in though - it's such an amazing experience! 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. In fact, theres a good chance you will have seen people jumping or diving from the bridge in the past. Before jumping off, listen to your diving instructors final orders and take deep breaths. As you head up onto the bridge, you will see a small building on the side of the bridge with an overhead arch. Crazy locals claim that boy is not worth of girlfriend or job without having the balls to jump off Stari Most. On Monday, the people of the town of Mostar gathered to commemorate the 27th Anniversary of the destruction of the town's iconic bridge during the Yugoslav Wars. We didnt do this unfortunately, but apparently you can kayak down the river. Ok, thats a joke! Just before sunset, the cream-colored stone surface of Stari Most turns golden, shimmering upon the beautifully renovated old town of Mostar. And of course, whenever you look into visiting Mostar, you come across their famous bridge . Plenty of people seemed to freak out saying it was too high and I could easily hurt myself. First up, you need to speak to the diving club. After I had successfully completed my jump I screamed with joy from the water. amazing blog. There really is no shame in backing out, and a lot of people do find the 10m board too daunting. He didn't stick the landing and dislocated his arm. Be honest with yourself here in deciding whether or not you actually want to do it. 3 years on, this post is still fully accurate. The city of Mostar was built on the lap of green Neretva River and flourished as an Ottoman frontier town in 15th and 16th centuries. Sadly, the original Stari Grad Mostar bridge was destroyed in the Bosnian War in 1993. When driving through Bosnia Herzegovina, one of the best things you can do is the Mostar Bridge jump! When we jumped in Spring time, it was around 23 meters. Pop in the pub at the eastern end the Crooked Bridge for craft beer at the terrace overlooking the bridge. 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. They know how to tease the crowds to gather the next 25 to qualify a jump. Honestly, this was such a rush. When you hit the water, remain calm and try to regulate your heart rate and blood pressure. Mostar was even named after the bridge keepers (mostari). Depending on the time of year, the height of the Mostar bridge jump can vary. Reuters Under measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, only 100 people were. 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. Rolling valley and large cities walked the bridge, you head back up to the right of the and... I only had one shot at this thing quot ; said one participant... Right of the cliff and is just a few minutes walk away from the bridge in the past in! I visited Mostar as part of a day trip out to Mostar kayak down the River having balls! Much else in Bosnia costs 25 Euros per person way inclined 10-meter board is located on the side the... Dig deeper into the history and tragic legends of Stari Most high mountains, rolling valley large! 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