My groin/hamstring was bloody tender. For the last 450 years, Mostar, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been home to the Old Bridge Jump, where people jump off the citys Stari Most bridge, hurling through the air for a few seconds before hitting the freezing water below. 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. Like this post? That would have made it difficult to bail out without losing face. I couldnt believe it. It it Ill tell you all about what its like doing this jump, and whether there have been any Mostar bridge deaths. History of Mostar Bridge Mostar Bridge was commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557. In the aftermaths of war, Mostar was credited as the most heavily destroyed city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I've seen videos of people jump of it and read stories. The tradition of jumping off Old Bridge in Mostar, Stari - Pinterest The 'new' old bridge was opened in 2004 and it's a marvellous sight. Legs together, hands covering my nuts. A Canadian girl had joined us from one of the other hostels. 'Old Bridge'), also known as Mostar Bridge, is a rebuilt 16th-century Ottoman bridge in the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina that crosses the river Neretva and connects the two parts of the city. 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. The Old Bridge stood for 427 years, until it was destroyed on 9 November 1993 by Croat forces during the Croat . Since the bridges reconstruction, the Mostar Diving club has maintained records of all the people who have made the Mostar Bridge jump. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Nice weather for the occasion. Elite cliff divers in an iconic location - we are so ready for Mostar Over three days, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series will see 26 athletes launch from the old bridge, Stari Most, in. My wife and I visited Mostar as part of a day trip from Dubrovnik. To be honest, I was pretty stoked to see the crowds build and gather. After I had successfully completed my jump I screamed with joy from the water. 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. Learning to do the Bosnia bridge jump at the Mostari Diving Club, If you dont think you can do it, then dont even try. By the 1550s Ottoman . Mostar Bridge. I very gingerly swum to the side and got into position to watch the Canadian girl who was last to jump. Of course, tourists are briefed for jumping off safely and accustoming their bodies to the cold. For the last 450 years, Mostar, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been home to the Old Bridge Jump, where people jump off the city's Stari Most bridge, hurling through the air for a few. People have been jumping of the Old Bridge for 451 years since it was built in 1566. Growing in confidence, I began explaining to other people that if . Thankfully I did not have either of those things occur, but it must have been close. more, Bosnia and Herzegovina Destination Experts. My first reaction is, why do I need to pay? Hayden They will ask you to keep doing it until you get it just right. Thank goodness you didn't hurt yourself! We will ask the City of Mostar to build an indoor swimming pool with a 12-meter jumping platform where children can practice throughout the year, so that we can have five new swallows each year before the jumps Listo says. Around the mid 1400s, the Ottomans ruled the area (the first recorded name of the city was around 1474 as "mostari" or "bridge keepers"). Your rational mind takes over very quickly. 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. 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. This 18-year-old Mostarian, with his famous flight, gives an unforgettable experience to fans of this extreme sport, and considering that he is in good shape from year to year, we will still enjoy his jumps. As a means to avoid jumping, I told myselfthat I would only jump if I found another traveller to do it with. cigna new york life short term disability. Just go and speak to one of those guys; tell them you want to do the Mostar Bridge jump, dont be shy; they are very friendly and helpful. For more information, please see our As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Facebook Instagram Email. mushie (2) The Stari Most really is one of the sites you must absolutely visit when traveling through the Balkans. Such as you leaning forward too much and hitting your face/stomach as you enter the water. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Apparently it helps to stop the body from going into shock upon landing in the icy river. Local tradition says that a 16-year-old boy must jump from the bridge as a right of passage, but more importantly, it is said that the boy's life will be a complete failure if he doesn't jump. Page 1 of 2 | Single page The last time I was in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian city of Mostar I stood on the gravel stones beneath the shallow river that winds it's way underneath the Stari Most bridge and watched a 19-year-old Saudi . soooooo not worth potential injury. Mostar Bridge, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina - SpottingHistory.com America Rebuilds II: Return to Ground Zero . Mostar Bridge - PBS Did you recover alright? Local ikari know the art of bridge jumping and the risks. Some of the original limestones were rescued from the bottom of the Neretva River to celebrate the resurrection of Stari Most. 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. Before arriving in Mostar, I had alreadylearnt about the reputation ofthe Stari Most as a jumping location. Men What To Pack For Albania When you jump, widen your arms like wings and hold your core tight, keeping legs together. Neretva is among the coldest rivers in the world. . Bruises, dislocated joints, broken bones and compressed spines are common injuries for jumpers with poor technique. The grounds of the Vatican Museums have witnessed papal conspiracies, a ferocious ambition of rivaling artists, and loads of dark secrets. The Ultimate Guide to Mostars Old Bridge: Bridge Jumping, Legends, and Ghosts of War. @Macca Sherifi, what is the jumping technique? I could hear Igor, my diving instructor, giving me some last-minute tips on how to make the perfect Mostar bridge jump, but his words were drowned out by the blood thumping in my ears. My technique was to stand there and take three deep breaths. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } Those cobblestones though! I hope you can fit it in though - it's such an amazing experience! After getting approved to jump, the diving instructor takes you back to the Old Bridge and confirms that youre 100% up to the challenge. The small Bosnian city of Mostar attracts thousands of adventure travelers annually thanks to its natural beauty and the world-famous Stari Most (Old Bridge) which provides extreme sports enthusiasts with a perfect platform for BASE jumping. Lots of history and culture to be see this place, especially the Jumping tradition into the Neretva river. Guide To Jumping The Mostar Bridge From Someone Who Did It, A Few Important Things To Know About Jumping From Mostar Bridge, How Can You Jump From The Stari Most Bridge, Head Back To The Mostar Bridge And Prepare Yourself, Receive Your Mostar Bridge Jump Certificate And Pay. Well, you will splash against the green Neretva River in 3 seconds after jumping off Stari Most. She compressed/fractured 3 vertebrate. Famous for the old bridge of Mostar "Stari Most", which spans the river Neretva, and for the daring bridge jumper, countless visitors flock to visit this charming town. It long stood as a symbol of how the diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully. On November 9, 1993, during bitter civil war in the city, the bridge was shelled by a Bosnian Croat tank from Mt. Forget about everyone else around you and listen to what the instructor says. Make sure someone takes photos of you Unfortunately I didnt get the best photos of me doing it and Im gutted about that. In the Bosnian parts of Mostar, around 60-70% of houses were totally destroyed or badly damaged. It was lightly drizzling. Divers plunge from 79-foot Bosnian bridge in centuries-old tradition I could not walk without pain for several days after and must have strained every ligament in my groin. He never jumped on his feet. 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. Hamish, in particular, is hmm an unremarkable physical specimen (sorry!). The tradition of jumping is 451 years old. Search from Mostar Jump stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. Would you ever be as stupid as me and jump off the bridge at Mostar? In my honest opinion, hell yeah, its worth it! But as long as you jump, as theyve instructed, youll be fine. Some locals call Mostar the ghost town, haunted by itself. In Australia, we achieve this by attempting to rapidly drink a 1.4L yard glass of beer while surrounded by friends and family. 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. Once he has enough money and he judges the time is right, hell put on a bit of a show. Whether it is competition time or not, you will often see young men in swim shorts walking around the vicinity of the bridge, trying to collect money. 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. Is this safe? Reuters Under measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, only 100 people were. Youll also be a lifetime member of Mostar Diving Club meaning that you can jump off Stari Most as many times as you wish! It is a common spot for hosting the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships, which then get broadcast worldwide. Yes, do. 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! The Old Bridge of Mostar is among the most important Islamic architectural structures in the Balkans. Solicitar ms informacin: 310-2409701 | administracion@consultoresayc.co. Over the years, many injuries and a few deaths have been reported, especially during years when the water was shallow or when the jumpers did not have assistants below to help them to shore. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Readmy backpacking travel to guide Mostar for information on accomodation, transport and places to eat and drink. Still up to it and ready to leap? Hum. Then it's time to jump off the . Legends tell that the architect, Mimar Hajruddin, had to make it or break it. The only way to do this part is instantly. Top Tips for Finding the Right Work-Life Balance, Things to do in London that You Might Not Know About. Then, just do exactly what youve been taught so far and step off. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Head to my About page! If you do land a little off-balance, then having the wetsuit will reduce any pain you feel on impact. Professional jumpers subject tourists to dousing with water to get accustomed to the temperature and in spite of precautions/strict instructions injuries still happen, no fault of the instructors. It popped into my head again the other day. This timeI am regaling the tale of That Time I Jumped of That Bridge in Mostar. Not only had he performed the jump, but had done so 3 times. In 2004 the bridge reopened, and from that time, it has remained one of the most famous and unique attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We blog about the best travel destinations in the Balkans. It has two towers that historically housed the Mostari (bridge keepers). Stari Most Bridge Jump In Bosnia - Travel + Leisure Pretty good. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. The natural beauty of Bijambare leaves everyone breathless, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a paradise of eternal adventurers, Haris Fazlagi:This is the year of important and serious tourism projects. But I believe they are happy to let you jump even if theres just one person. During the Bosnian conflict, 100000-200000 people were slaughtered, mainly on the streets of Sarajevo, Mostar, Srebrenica, and Banja Luka. I say this because he wasn't dead. New Talgo trains are comfortable and have even free wifi! To be frank, all traditional Bosnian restaurants in Mostar were rather weak in our opinion. I determinedly spoke to the Mostar diving club, situated in a stone building akin to a tiny castle across the bridge, and they told me to come back at 1 pm for training. 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. 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. As I broke the surface, the first thing I did was look back to the bridge; it was huge! All rights reserved. The Mostar Bridge was built in 1557 by architect Mimar Hajrudin, a disciple of Sinan, the father of classic Ottoman architecture. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Mostar is small city in Bosnia, not far from Dubrovnik and Kotor. According to the preliminary results of the 2013 Census of Population, Mostar is inhabited by 113,169 . Next page 1 2 3 Still, its a stunning landmark and icon of peace known all over the world. Home Blog Adventures Mostar Bridge Jump: Read This Before Jumping Off Mostar Bridge! As such, it doesnt really matter what you wear underneath. When driving through Bosnia Herzegovina, one of the best things you can do is the Mostar Bridge jump! If youre a thrill-seeker and figuring out what to do in Mostar, bridge jumping is definitely an amazing experience. My first reaction after stepping was to wiggle my legs back and forth, a bit like a little kid does when jumping into a swimming pool. When we went, there were 3 of us. In the evening haze, legends and ghost stories come alive. In fact, they are due to return later this year in August. Reply The first Siege of Mostar was fought in 1992; the second Siege of Mostar lasted from 1993 to 1994. If anything goes wrong for whatever reason, multiple dive club members are around to help. 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. 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. It was 30 minutes? mostar bridge jump injuries Just like its big brother, also this ancient bridge was also destroyed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Yet I was climbing over the railing, so that I could willingly jump into the river. An odd paradox and a thought I had to suppress. 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. What happens now is, one at a time, you cross over the wall of the bridge and stand looking out over the water. 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. Reddit where are the best non-tourist places to visit in Europe? Hamish and Andy were in there. Required fields are marked *. I am afraid that swallow style will disappear. 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. Most tourists prefer to jump feet first, which is safer if youre not super confident in diving head first. Back then the iconic stone bridge was collapsed, but it didnt hold them back. mostar bridge jump injuries By on July 1, 2021 Iffland and her fellow competitors had to jump off the Stari Most, or Mostar Bridge, from a platform 21m above the Neretva River. I know a guy who did this when were in Bosnia in 2006. Thank you for sharing. Built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, the high-arched, stone bridge is a masterpiece. When considering whether to attempt this jump, I and other Australians find this fact quitepersuasive. This was something I had to do; I had a feeling that this was an after-dinner story I could dine out on for years to come. Mostar is most known for its Old Bridge (Stari Most) - a gorgeous 400-plus year old bridge that was destroyed during the war, but reconstructed later and re-opened in 2004. This makes me feel sick every time I think about you doing it! We had to hand over 25 to the local dive club in order to jump. The 451st annual bridge jump and diving competition took place on Sunday, July 30. amazing blog. I'm 70 years of age, in good shape and there's still one scary moment to do. As a part of 1990 Croat-Bosniak conflict, the Old Bridge of Mostar was bombed down by the Croat troops in 1993. I think May or September would be best. Im that sore that I am having trouble sleeping. 456th Traditional Mostar Bridge Jumps Held in Bosnia and Herzegovina 27-meter jump is not a joke. After nine years of labor, the Old Bridge of Mostar was finally completed in 1566. mostar bridge jump injuries. The Mostar Bridge was a very famous and historical bridge before its destruction in 1993 during the war in Bosnia and Hercegovina (part of the former Yugoslavia). Mostar was developed further during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries. Feet looking excellent! What did he do wrong? September 1, 2017 at 3:25 am. Dubrovnik is 81 kilometers (51 miles) away. 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! 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. Medieval torture equipment exhibition in Toledo, Spain, peeks into the Middle Ages a time of the Inquisition and a system of extreme cruelty. The national plates, which consist of sausages and grilled meat, come at around 15-20 KM (7,50-10 ) and easily quench the hunger of two. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. However, most of the jumpers will be from Mostar. Before the jump, the team takes you to a practice board to show you how to jump off the Mostar Bridge, which tells you the safest way to complete the jump. There have been at least 4 reported deaths since 2012. 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. 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. Driving from Sarajevo to Mostar takes around 1,5-2 hours, while the buses take around 2,5 hours. 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. Climbing over the railing to get in position was a strange feeling. Reply Evlija Celebija, a traveller and a writer during the Ottoman Empire, was the first to write about it in 1664. I'd definitely following the diving club's rules and advice on this one. Youll then need to do a few practice jumps. As soon as he said this, I knewI would either have to jump the following day or never show my face again in Mostar. Spectators gather on the bridge and by the river in anticipation of the guy promising to jump from the top of Stari Most into the cold river. Local tradition says that a 16-year-old boy must jump from the bridge as a right of passage, but more importantly, it is said that the boys life will be a complete failure if he doesnt jump. 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. If that bridge was located in most other countries in Europe, I feel like you would struggle to get permission from local authorities to do such a jump. 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.