Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
It took longer to rebuild the bridge in the 21st century than it did to build it in the 16th
century. But on July 23, 2004, the new Old Bridge was inaugurated with much fanfare and
was immediately embraced by both the city and the world as a sign of reconciliation.
Since its restoration, another piece of bridge history has fully returned, as young men
onceagainjumpfromthebridge75feetdownintotheNeretva(whichremainsicycoldeven
in summer). Done both for the sake of tradition and to impress girls, this custom carried
on even during the time when the destroyed bridge was temporarily replaced by a wooden
one. Now the tower on the west side of the bridge houses the office of the local “Divers
Club,” a loosely run organization that continues this long-standing ritual. On hot summer
days, you'll see divers making a ruckus and collecting donations at the top of the bridge.
They tease and tease, standing up on the railing and pretending they're about to jump...then
getting down and asking for more money. (If he's wearing trunks rather than Speedos, he's
not a diver—just a teaser.) Once they collect about €30, one of them will take the plunge.
Beforemovingon,seehowmanyofthetown's10mosquesyoucanspotfromthetopof
the bridge (I counted seven minarets).
