“You up for this?” Macca Sherifi’s dive instructor asked as he stood on the edge of Mostar’s towering 16th-century Stari Most bridge, preparing to jump.

Zipped up in a wetsuit and gripping the railings, Sherifi began to question his readiness. Below him, the famously emerald-green Neretva River flowed through Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the 75-foot drop looked more terrifying than ever.

“This is really far,” he thought, as tourists gathered around, eagerly snapping photos in anticipation of the jump. Little did they know it was a tourist about to take the leap, rather than the trained divers often seen performing for money at the same spot.

Diving into history

Sherifi is among a number of adventurous tourists who have taken on the extreme diving experience at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, diving from the Stari Most bridge has been a tradition for over 450 years.

The bridge, believed to have been completed around 1567 during Ottoman rule, has long been a site for daring jumps. Historically, young locals would leap off to entertain wealthy spectators, a tradition that continues to this day.

“They did it to earn tips,” explains Esmer Meškić, a tour guide with Mostar Travel Agency and a native of Mostar. “We still have some who follow that tradition today. About five to six people dive for a living each day, aiming to impress tourists.

“Typically, the diver is from the local diving club, located in a small house next to the old bridge. They perform exercises to acclimate their body and system to the cold water, as they’re jumping into one of the coldest rivers in the world.”

A monument destroyed, then rebuilt

In the 1990s, Stari Most emerged as a symbol of resilience and hope following its destruction and subsequent reconstruction after the Croat-Bosniak War, a major conflict within the broader Bosnian War. During that devastating period, it’s estimated that 100,000 people lost their lives and an additional two million were displaced.

This November marks 30 years since Croat forces’ relentless shelling caused the Balkan-Islamic arched structure to collapse into the Neretva River. The bridge remained in ruins for over a decade before its reconstruction was completed. Next year will mark 20 years since the newly rebuilt Stari Most was unveiled.

In post-war Mostar, diving became even more integral to local life, says Meškić. With other recreational facilities destroyed, children found alternative bridges for diving while Stari Most was out of commission.

“After the war, diving became a major sport because we didn’t have places to play football or basketball—everything was destroyed. So we spent a lot of time on the riverbanks of the Neretva, competing,” he explains, noting that he himself has never jumped from Stari Most. (He once injured himself badly during a diving competition on another bridge after losing his balance.)

Rebuilt with stones from the same quarry used in the original 16th-century construction, this “jewel of Ottoman architecture” (as described by UNESCO) is even more breathtaking in person. Its graceful arch and photogenic design are particularly striking in the summer, when the surrounding riverbanks are lush with green foliage.

“The rock formations next to the Neretva River are quite” Meškić says, highlighting why Stari Most holds such significance for locals. “We like to say the old bridge represents the perfect blend of human creativity and nature. For older generations, jumping from the bridge was seen as a rite of passage from boyhood to manhood.”

Many ways to take the plunge 

Today, Stari Most is the venue for an annual diving contest held every July. For eight consecutive years, it has also been a key stop on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.

This September, thousands of tourists flocked to the riverbanks to witness athletes from around the globe compete, crowding the town’s cobbled streets and bustling shops, bars, and cafes.

But diving isn’t the only way to enjoy the stunning waters near Mostar. The strong current of the Neretva River makes it a prime location for rafting, with tour groups offering day trips from Mostar to Konjic, about an hour away, often including breakfast and, in some cases, a BBQ lunch.

Kayaking and canoeing on the calmer Buna River, which branches off the Neretva about 10 km (6 miles) south of Mostar, are also becoming increasingly popular.

For a refreshing escape during Mostar’s sweltering summer months, the Kravica Waterfall, nestled in Kravica Nature Park, is a must-visit. Open for swimming from June to September, it offers a perfect spot to cool off. You can drive there independently or book a round-trip tour with a local travel agency, where you’ll find restaurants and picnic areas within the park.

Back in town, meander through Mostar’s enchanting streets and catch a sunset you won’t soon forget. On a clear evening, the sky turns vibrant shades of orange and pink, while spotlights illuminate the intricate details of Stari Most as night falls.

It’s easy to see why this bridge is such a central part of life in Mostar and holds deep significance for its residents.