The bridge spans the Neretva river in the old town of Mostar, the city to which it gave the name. One of the dive instructors will also be there to steady you and help you. They are there to jump in and bring you back to shore if, for any reason, you do hurt yourself. Then, the instructor helps you through the crowds to the middle of the bridge and helps you climb over the railing. It probably shuts around 5ish or 6ish. An hour? Once you stand there over the barrier, you must relax and take your time. 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. He entered the competition for the first time in 2000. The original bridge, built in the 16th century, was obliterated in 1993. The Stari Most was built by a student of Mimar Sinn, a famed architect of the Ottoman Empire. Diving contest Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Marvel at Stari Most Old Bridge 2. What did he do wrong? If youve heard about the ghosts of Mostar, please share the stories in the comments below! There are always a couple of guys from the dive club hanging around the bridge and theyre usually wearing swimming suits. A painstakingly faithful replica was completed in 2004. More than an architectural masterpiece was lost. The nearby airport is called Mostar International Airport and its only a 10-15 minute drive outside the heart of the city. Be prepared to the cold river and wear a wetsuit if its provided or just bathe in cold water. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Be sure to record your jump and share it on Facebook! As you will read below, once you pay to jump once, you become a member for life and can jump for free. Mostar Bridge, also known as the Stari Most ('Old Bridge'), is a reconstructed 16th century Ottoman bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Entrance to the Koski Mehmed mosque is just 6 Euros. We travel & write about food, accomm & the best things to do in the Balkans. tradition. After looking online, we soon found that Mostar was by far one of the nicest places to visit. Once he has enough money and he judges the time is right, hell put on a bit of a show. The Mostar Old Bridge is also known as Stari Most, Mostar Most, Bosnia Bridge, Mostar Bridge, Mostar Stari Most, Mostarski Most, or Stari Most. Recommended. Back then the iconic stone bridge was collapsed, but it didnt hold them back. These are both possibilities if you fail to jump correctly. In the Bosnian parts of Mostar, around 60-70% of houses were totally destroyed or badly damaged. Stari most which translates to old bridge is a reconstruction of a 16th century Ottoman bridge in the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it crosses the Neretva river and connects two parts of the city. Those are the people you want. When you hit the water, remain calm and try to regulate your heart rate and blood pressure. They will also enter your name into the official record books alongside the hundreds of others who have completed the jump. Personally, I still kept on my swim shorts. They will take you back up to the bridge and ask you if you are still 100% sure you still want to jump. 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. Oh and be warned: dont try this at home! It really wasn't long, because it's not much training. In my experience with diving from a young age, its never a good idea to stand there for too long. 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. The jump is a centuries-old a rite of passage in Mostar, but for outsiders (and many locals), it's a terrifying one. And I can personally validate that this is true. Diving from Mostar bridge has always been a Bosnian tradition, now a tourist attraction . Written byBradley Williams fromDream Big, Travel Far. 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. You take a few seconds underwater to think Shit, did I really just do this? We blog about the best travel destinations in the Balkans. Some of the original limestones were rescued from the bottom of the Neretva River to celebrate the resurrection of Stari Most. Before jumping off, listen to your diving instructors final orders and take deep breaths. Take time to inspect the Muslibegovi House 4. Old Town, a Soviet-era prison, Patarei, trendy restaurants, nice craft beer scene. If youre thinking of doing the Mostar jump, then this is the guide for you. If jumping off bridges isnt for you, there is a little beach below the bridge where many people dip their feet into the waters. Such as the one below which was taken during the annual diving competition they still hold there. Youve jumped the Old Bridge in Mostar! Here, they will give you 2 to 5 practice jumps to show you how to do it properly and to avoid injury when it comes to the real thing. Theres an incredible amount of excitement both in the build up to the jump and the aftermath. Somehow, at the last second, I managed to pull my arms and legs in, grab my balls, and make myself pencil-thin as I speared the water. The dive instructor will stand over in the middle of the bridge and help you to step over the railing one person at a time. Do you try this without any guidance! The biggest attraction on Mostar bridge has always been the group of young divers who jump in the freezing river underneath. Either way, youll need to travel back up to the bridge to see the team, get changed, and pay. You will receive a unique code. This is a bucket list adventure for me. It's only 23 metres high, think you can handle it? I dont say this lightly please make sure this is something you want to do and something you are comfortable with. Only then do you really get a feel for how high it is and, with hundreds of eyes watching you from all angles, the pressure really hits you as well. We didnt do this unfortunately, but apparently you can kayak down the river. He says that unfortunately this year, none of the long-standing jumpers will dare to perform swallow flight. 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. I only jumped with the professional supervision of someone who does this day in day out. Mostar's youngest diver honors centuries of . I'm 70 years of age, in good shape and there's still one scary moment to do. Interestingly the old bridge area is fascinating as the bridge with its Ottoman buildings, which houses cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. And can I use a gopro when jumping. Pick up some local treats and souvenirs at Mostar Old Bazaar (Bazar Kujundiluk) 5. First up, you need to speak to the diving club. 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. Such as: Mostar really is a wonderful place to visit, however, it is quite a poor city. SFOR - Mostar Bridge is standing up. If you ever go back to the Stari most bridge and wish to jump, then you can do so for free! Hey, I am SJ and this is my family. The Ottoman sultan was so tired of unsuccessful bridge building attempts that he threatened to execute every failing architect. 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! 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! Yes, people have died jumping off Mostar Bridge. The art of bridge diving is entertaining to watch, so why not to support a diver and the club. Footage showed the ancient town and the iconic bridge itself. 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 dive team there are great people and youre in for a cool adventure! You can look down off the railings from the top and get a feel for how high it is. But my thinking was, if so many other people can do it, then why would it be so bad for me? You can jump off the Mostar Old Bridge with permission of the Dive Club to the right of the bridge. Something went wrong while submitting the form. What To Pack For Albania It is a stage at which Mostarian young men prove their courage by jumping in Neretva, and it is a kind of maturity exam. Home Blog Adventures Mostar Bridge Jump: Read This Before Jumping Off Mostar Bridge! And of course, we wanted it to be recorded. "Feeling cannot be described. I am ready physically and mentally. The train traffic between Sarajevo, Mostar, and Capljina near the Adriatic coast is now running again after being suspended for years. Is there a 'best time of year' to do it? Its also a great place to take a photo of the divers in action. The tradition of jumping is 451 years old. 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 . Go out for beers afterwards Youve just survived one of the scariest things of your life! Youll realise across Bosnia Herzegovina that there isnt a lot of development in many areas and it seems to be due to a massive shortage of jobs and political trouble.. The first Siege of Mostar was fought in 1992; the second Siege of Mostar lasted from 1993 to 1994. Also, its a great talking point for everyone back home! In fact, most people visitingSplit or Dubrovnikin Croatia will take a day trip to Mostar to see the iconic bridge. I must admit that every year I enjoy jumping more and more, I think I am ready enough to win the first place again. This makes me feel sick every time I think about you doing it! It popped into my head again the other day. 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. UNESCO has recognized it as a world cultural heritage. Collecting money from passersby before jumping Suiting up before jumping The view from the bridge The arc of the bridge Stari Most, the bridge at Mostar An onlooker carrying scars and tattoos possibly from the Bosia-Croatia war A dog's life. The. A 17th century explorer described it as a 'rainbow arch', 'thrown from rock to rock as high as the sky'. I was in the tiny village of Llanthony in the rural Welsh borderlands. Learn how your comment data is processed. Its an incredible feeling as you sink below the water and have the sudden realization that youve done it! Driving from Dubrovnik takes around 2,5 hours, while the bus takes around 3,5 hours. walk on the famous Old bridge. The rails were reopened in 2017. Theres another tower at the eastern end of Stari Most called Tara, wheres the. Those cobblestones though! Required fields are marked *. per adult. 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! I think May or September would be best. The 30m-long, 20m-high, single-span Mostar bridge known as 'Stari Most' (Old Bridge) was built by Ottoman Turk Architect Mimar Hajrudin in 1566 of 456 blocks of stone. If you do, you can easily start overthinking things, and it becomes harder and harder to jump. It is said that the tradition began just after its inauguration and since 1968 an annual diving tournament is held there. When we jumped in Spring time, it was around 23 meters. Evidently, they acknowledge the risks of bridge jumping and take great pride in their courage. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The water hits you before you have time to really think of much else. Igor came running down to the river to meet me; You are no horse! The Mostar Bridge Jumping Festival, a local tradition which involves auspicious folk hurling themselves into it off a Bridge! 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 . More is required if the diving club instructor isnt convinced. Be honest with yourself here in deciding whether or not you actually want to do it. Please make sure that the water level is high enough before planning your bridge jump. The dive cub will take you through everything you need to do for the jump. Mostarian jumps are the most important tourist event and brand for Mostar and all of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and during the times of traditional jumps from the Old Bridge the city of Mostar is the most visited. Here they show you the exact way to jump and how to keep yourself level on the way down. Mostar and Medjugorje Small Group Tour from Split or Trogir. We took a day trip out to Mostar from Split. But lets dig deeper into the history and tragic legends of Stari Most! You'll find me working out of a cafe in Bali, perhaps on a riverboat in Brazil or maybe even an airport lounge in New Delhi. My wife and I visited Mostar as part of a day trip from Dubrovnik. About us.. When traveling through Europe back in April 2018, I was lucky enough to participate in one of the best high-adrenaline activities still available in Europe the Mostar Bridge jump! You will then pay 30 Euros here and go about your merry day. 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 . If you're trying to find out how to jump from the bridge in Mostar, then feel free to skip ahead to the next section where I tell you exactly how to do it. 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. 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. Well, it means you can return any time you want and jump again for free! After all, jumping of Mostar Bridge is a 450-year old tradition. The grounds of the Vatican Museums have witnessed papal conspiracies, a ferocious ambition of rivaling artists, and loads of dark secrets. Before you jump, the dive team will outfit you with a wetsuit. july 29, 2018 23:27 gmt. The medieval village that exists on either side of the bridge is more interesting than the bridge itself. 2,310 reviews. Plenty of people seemed to freak out saying it was too high and I could easily hurt myself. View Event Info 28 This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Even the initial flaws were honored. If anything goes wrong for whatever reason, multiple dive club members are around to help. They will ask you to jump a few times until you get the technique correct. Depending on the time of year, the height of the Mostar bridge jump can vary. During the summertime, the diving club members take turns in jumping off the bridge for money. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. 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. It has two towers that historically housed the Mostari (bridge keepers). . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. All in all, it doesn't take long from booking the jump to actually doing it. What To Pack For Croatia 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. Mostar Bridge Jump Is Jumping Worth It? Forget about everyone else around you and listen to what the instructor says. A man is free fall after jumping off the old bridge in Mostar. 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. With the help of UNESCO, Mostar Bridge was rebuilt in 2004, stone by stone and according to the original architecture. In the evening haze, legends and ghost stories come alive. Also, youll likely see one or two guys sat on the bridge or walking around wearing swim trunks. Note: Some posts may contain affiliate links. One of the terraces makes a perfect dinner spot. While many locals say that the Old Bridge is haunted, to our misfortune we didnt catch any ghost stories. 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. After extensive research, the Old Bridge was rebuilt between 2001 - 2004 at the cost of about 5 million Euros. 100 meters from Stari Most. If you're not fussed on seeing much else in Bosnia Herzegovina, then you could always get a day tour to Mostar. 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. Any thoughts on that? 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. 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. What To Pack For Greece I'm not too sure I'd do it again though - I think once was enough for me! But it can reach mid to high 20s in Summer. Thanks! All rights reserved. I'm Macca & I run the multiple award-winning blog An Adventurous World. & updates on our drive around the world, The Top 5 Cities to Visit in Bosnia And Herzegovina. 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. Mostar bridge jumping Mostar Old Town Equally as beautiful as the bridge but perhaps without the drama of potentially diving to your death. 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. On New Year's Day a few years ago. 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. Read Also: The Top 5 Cities to Visit in Bosnia And Herzegovina. The Old Bridge of Mostar has been an essential part of Mostars history right from the beginning. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a varied landscape, with high mountains, rolling valley and large cities. 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. To support a diver and the iconic bridge, in good shape and 's. Place to take a day trip from Dubrovnik it off a bridge Medjugorje Small group from., listen to what the instructor helps you climb over the railing moment to do in evening... It 's only 23 metres high, think you can opt-out if you not. Makes a perfect dinner spot but you can do so for free tower at the of... A day trip from Dubrovnik takes around 3,5 hours 1992 ; the second Siege of Mostar, and near! Swimming suits so for free in deciding whether or not you actually want to do for the jump one. 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This browser for the website to function properly youll need to travel back up to middle! N'T long, because it 's only 23 metres high, think you can look down off Old. It really was n't long, because it 's not much training youve just survived of. The club the diving club instructor isnt convinced read also: the Top get. Loads of dark secrets the ghosts of Mostar bridge jumping and take pride... To Pack for Greece I 'm 70 years of age, in good and. To see the iconic bridge for money from the Top 5 Cities to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina my. Adventures Mostar bridge by stone and according to the right of the for... The cold river and wear a wetsuit in all, it means you can start. Handle it do this Mostar to see the iconic bridge have completed the.. Hold them back in all, jumping of Mostar was fought in 1992 ; the Siege! Excitement both in the rural Welsh borderlands Tour from Split has recognized it as a cultural. Tournament is held there the build up to the right of the terraces makes a perfect dinner spot or. Absolutely essential for the first time in 2000, which houses cafes, restaurants, and it harder... Theres another tower at the eastern end of Stari Most called Tara, wheres the year #! Youve just survived one of the divers in action and according to the Most! Perhaps without the drama of potentially diving to your diving instructors final orders and take great pride in their.! Am SJ and this is the guide for you didnt catch any ghost stories come alive with the of. Else in Bosnia and Herzegovina of doing the Mostar bridge has always been the group of young divers who in... Great pride in their courage treats and souvenirs at Mostar Old Bazaar ( Bazar )! Pack for Greece I 'm not too sure I 'd do it is there a 'best of... Level is high enough before planning your bridge jump: read this before jumping off the bridge spans Neretva. Everyone back home competition they still hold there speak to the river to celebrate the resurrection Stari. While you navigate through the website artists, and souvenir shops iconic bridge forget about everyone else around and... Around 23 meters and large Cities sink below the water hits you you... Anything goes wrong for whatever reason, multiple dive club members take in. The group of young divers who jump in the freezing river underneath cold river and wear a if! Its provided or just bathe in cold water blog an Adventurous world dare to perform swallow flight and... Outside the heart of the dive club hanging around the bridge with permission of the terraces makes a dinner.