The force and impact often causes severe bruising. 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. Its easy to forget you are in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 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. 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. This is a bucket list adventure for me. The conflicts continued for a few more years, but in peripheral regions and in lesser degrees, that is why the end of the war was generally fixed in 1995. Special mention to my lovely friends for the photos and video. Mostar Bridge Jump Is Jumping Worth It? who plays elias in queen of the south; tickets for the concession golf tournament; family doctors accepting new patients near me; greater moncton home builders American guy jumping from Old Bridge in Mostar (fail jump) - YouTube Camera and Editing: Esad Zeevi produkcija@vinet-tv.bawww.vinet-tv.ba Camera and Editing: Esad Zeevi. Of course, tourists are briefed for jumping off safely and accustoming their bodies to the cold. The original bridge stood for 427 years before it was destroyed in 1993 during the Croat-Bosniak War. 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. Zac ess It doesn't leave you many options; I mean, who wants to be a complete failure! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hell eventually reach his climax of wowing the crowd with a death-defying Stari Most bridge jump. My technique was to stand there and take three deep breaths. 45'. Expect craggy peaks, turquoise rivers, dark tunnels, and ancient viaducts. 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. Your rational mind takes over very quickly. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Thankfully I very quickly got my shit together and remembered the advicefrom the 'instructor'. With his plunge in the southern Bosnian city of Mostar, Amir and his friends from the local diving club are honoring a tradition that goes back . Groups of tourists standing on the bridge will pitch in a few euros or dollars to one of the local divers. In turn, as long as you do what they say, then you should have no problems with your jump! The water is shallow so you must do practice jumps first. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. These cookies do not store any personal information. You obtain training from the local jumpers, where you will learn how to jump off a bridge and how to land, and you will then receive a certificate for your jump! Personally, one jump was enough for me; but feel free to have another go if youre that way inclined! The alarm turned on in Mostar, because there are no younger generations. The bridge after reconstruction. They know how to tease the crowds to gather the next 25 to qualify a jump. 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. Once youve perfected your technique, theyll take you back up to the bridge for the actual jump. It is about now that I start questioning my life choices. In a stunning setting such as Mostar, you can see why travellers flock from the four corners of the world just to see this spectacle. Then it's time to jump off the . The elegant bridge spanned the River Neretva and was designed by the Ottoman (Turkish) architect Mimar Hayruddin. However, theres no reason for this to happen! The best traditional restaurant in Mostar according to our inspection is FoodHouse on the western bank of Neretva, appr. Not only had he performed the jump, but had done so 3 times. . It is beautiful and the area around it is also beautiful. If you have travelled through the Balkans at all, there is a good chance you visited Mostar. I could not walk without pain for several days after and must have strained every ligament in my groin. 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. In Mostar, the Old Bridge marked both the divide and the connection between the Bosniaks, Croats, Serbs, and Yugoslavs. I am ready physically and mentally. And it really is something worth seeing for yourself. Before the wooden supports of Old Bridge were removed, Mimar Hajruddin had already started digging his own grave. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Growing in confidence, I began explaining tootherpeople that if I had found someone else to jump with, I would have. If I slipped while climbing over the railing I would fall uncontrollably into the river below. Many locals can tell you openly that its definitely not safe to jump off Mostar Bridge. It long stood as a symbol of how the diverse Mostar population co-existed peacefully. But lets dig deeper into the history and tragic legends of Stari Most! The practice dates back to the time the bridge was built, but the first recorded instance of someone diving off the bridge is from 1664. I must admit that every year I enjoy jumping more and more, I think I am ready enough to win the first place again. 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. In 2004 the bridge reopened, and from that time, it has remained one of the most famous and unique attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2004, he won the title for the first time. But in hindsight there are 3 very good reasons to pay the25: The practice platform. Red Bull regularly run a high diving competition from the Mostar bridge. Mostar's Crooked Bridge, Bosnia and Hertzegovina Is Mostar Haunted by Ghosts of War and Tragic Incidents? July 2018 marked 452nd annual Mostar bridge diving competition. Any advice? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. cigna new york life short term disability. 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. Less risk of injury, etc? 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. After the brave divers complete the plunge the event ends with some divers who jump with torches there is an after-party in honor of all the jumpers. Looking back on such an event, if indeed I had the luxury of doing so at all, undoubtably I would have described it as a near death experience. After all, jumping of Mostar Bridge is a 450-year old tradition. Growing in confidence, I began explaining to other people that if . In my honest opinion, hell yeah, its worth it! And thats when I launched myself off the side of the bridge into the river below. mostar bridge jump injuriesbarche battenti bandiera straniera MANHALNET COMPANY One of the dive instructors will also be there to steady you and help you. Do you try this without any guidance! Mar 6, 2017 - Old Bridge jumping traditional annual competition in diving organized every year in mid summer (end of July). 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. Definitely visit oneday, Drugi put kada dodjes vodim te dole i srednju Bosnu, Your email address will not be published. Safe for tourists to jump the bridge in Mostar, Re: Safe for tourists to jump the bridge in Mostar, Get answers to your questions about Bosnia and Herzegovina, Last Minute Hotels in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Browse all 4,226 Bosnia and Herzegovina topics , how to check if you have any bans on your Bosnian passport, International Phones or SIM Cards for Balkan Peninsula, The Guardian: Staggering scenery and beautiful towns. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The other reason I knew all about the bridge jump is that I had spoken to another traveller only a month earlier while hiking the Meteorain Greece. Question Hello all, In the summer im going to visit Mostar in Bosnia, one of the most famous things there is the big bridge. I was still feeling it about 5 days later while exploring Sarajevo and then Plitvice Lakes in Croatia. 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. 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. Risk of injuries is high, and even higher when the water level of Neretva River is at its lowest during the summer. Divers await their turn to jump from the bridge. Sheraldo Becker will also be out with a thigh injury. After jumping off a 3ft bench a handful of times to prove I could do it, I asked Igor if I had a good technique and if I was ready to jump off the bridge; he said I jumped like a horse, that I would never be ready to jump off the bridge, but if I still wanted to do it then now was the time. The Stari Most defines the city of Mostar. Even the best ice cream in town is served right beside Stari Most and best enjoyed on the bridge. An odd paradox and a thought I had to suppress. 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. How long did it take to train and then get approved for the jump? In addition to these great highlights, many more ingenious things to do in Mostar and awesome possibilities for excursionsaround are waiting for you. Bridge jumping in Mostar, Bosnia. Yes, people have died jumping off Mostar Bridge. You can read our privacy policy here. Mostar is a picture perfect medieval city with the highlight being the Mostar Bridge. Stari Most is 13 ft (4 meters) wide, 100 ft (30 . 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. Answer 1 of 5: I've seen some reports that there is a certification course for tourists to jump in Mostar. Should you be unable to swim to the edge, he will stop you from being washed downstream. Well, it means you can return any time you want and jump again for free! 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 . Water temperature hardly ever reaches 10 degrees, so it will be a cold dip for sure. Make sure someone is on hand with a camera! Despite its gentle appearance from afar, be aware that the bridge is a little slippery and has an incline, so be prepared and wear appropriate footwear. Safe to Sightsee Without a Tour & Hotel Recommendations, Border Crossing to Montenegro by Bus Any Problems, Very good central hotel Sarajevo and Mostarar, See All Bosnia and Herzegovina Conversations, Has anyone travelled by train Mostar - Sarajevo, Car rental companies allowed into Bosnia - help clarify. I've seen some reports that there is a certification course for tourists to jump in Mostar. September 5, 2017 at 1:19 am. The medieval village that exists on either side of the bridge is more interesting than the bridge itself. 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. Mostar was developed further during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries. Those cobblestones though! They will also enter your name into the official record books alongside the hundreds of others who have completed the jump. But, getting a bridge to span the banks of the Neretva River in the 14 th Century was difficult; previous rope and suspension designs failed, which impeded Mostar's growth. With the help of UNESCO, Mostar Bridge was rebuilt in 2004, stone by stone and according to the original architecture. As is normal with Stari Most bridge jumps, as soon someone is about to jump tourists begin to crowd around, mostly out of morbid curiosity. And for those of you who want to know whether theres even been any Mostar bridge jump deaths, unfortunately yes there have been. Old Town, a Soviet-era prison, Patarei, trendy restaurants, nice craft beer scene. Theres only one really big but: locals told us that jumping feet first might cause hitting legs at the bottom. There will be lots of handshaking and high-fives at this point; its excellent! Here you can practice your jump technique under the watchful eye of an experienced diver. MOSTAR, Bosnia-Herzegovina For more than three decades Semir Kazazic-Miro has been leaping from a bridge and plunging 70 feet into the ice-cold, fast-flowing waters of the Neretva River below. I think May or September would be best. 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. You must hit water properly to avoid injuries: thats what the training is all about. 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. On the last weekend in July, 10,000 people will descend on the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina to witness the 446th annual Mostar bridge jumping festival. As soon as he said this, I knewI would either have to jump the following day or never show my face again in Mostar. Travel insurance doesn't normally cover this kind of stuff, obviously. 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. fantastic pictures and place is amazing to visit there. 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. The Bosnian . I very gingerly swum to the side and got into position to watch the Canadian girl who was last to jump. Readmy backpacking travel to guide Mostar for information on accomodation, transport and places to eat and drink. Sheraldo Becker. In Australia, we achieve this by attempting to rapidly drink a 1.4L yard glass of beer while surrounded by friends and family. 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. If youre still willing, organizing Mostar Bridge jumping is easy. After getting the go ahead by the dive club, we headed up to the bridge. With a rich history dating back to 1557, the bridge was infamously and devastatingly destroyed by Croat forces during the Croat-Bosniak War in 1993. The shape of the bridge itself also has its own story, it is said that it represents life that the bridge represents one-half of the circle, and its reflection in water is the other half of the circle, and this whole picture represents life. The guy had cojones. 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. Official annual bridge-jumping competitions started in 1968 and are still held each summer. Luckily, his work was celebrated as the widest man-made arch in the world! If anything goes wrong for whatever reason, multiple dive club members are around to help. @Macca Sherifi, what is the jumping technique? sarajevo bosnia and hercegovina dubrovnik Ive been there and I know how high it is! Instead, there always seems to be at least one or two guys milling around on the bridge in their Speedos. Know Before You Go 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. Thankfully I did not have either of those things occur, but it must have been close. I'm healthy, fit and in my early 50s, and want to do it before I'm much older? Thanks for sharing this experience. Including, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,, Montenegro, Slovenia, Turkey, Macedonia, Romania, Kosovo and Serbia. how can i get invitation letter from bosnia? If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you do it too? Bruises, dislocated joints, broken bones and compressed spines are common injuries for jumpers with poor technique. Before jumping off, listen to your diving instructors final orders and take deep breaths. I say this because he wasn't dead. It was completed in 1566 after nines years of building and the . But if you want to do the jump yourself, well, heres everything I learned from my experience. https://www.bizarreglobehopper.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/mostar-bridge-daylight-bosnia-and-hertzegovina.jpg. Crooked Bridge is just a 5-minute stroll away from the Old Bridge and surrounded by restaurants. 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. If you have them flapping around at all, they will catch the water and decelerate quicker than the rest of your body, that means dislocation or breakage. Lots of history and culture to be see this place, especially the Jumping tradition into the Neretva river. I read that for 25eu you can pay the diving club and they will train u for a bit and stuff. Sure, theres always a chance you could hurt yourself with a slightly dodgy landing, but the whole team is there on hand to jump in and help you. In fact, they are due to return later this year in August. When we arrived back up, a large crowd of spectators had gathered. Well, you will splash against the green Neretva River in 3 seconds after jumping off Stari Most. 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. One of the best things to see in Mostar are the bridge divers. Just before sunset, the cream-colored stone surface of Stari Most turns golden, shimmering upon the beautifully renovated old town of Mostar. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Mostar Bridge. As such, it doesnt really matter what you wear underneath. I'm Macca & I run the multiple award-winning blog An Adventurous World. In 2015, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series was held in Mostar. 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.