Ancient & Lovely Prizren

Prizren, Kosovo with a population of 178,000 (in 2011) is Kosovo's second largest city behind Prishtina.  Prizren is also an ancient city known for its Filigree Silver, the Old Stone Bridge over the Lumbardh River, the Albanian League of Prizren Museum, the Ottoman era Sinan Pasha Mosque, the Kaljaja Fortress and the old city center popular with tourists known as the Shadervan.  Prizren lies on the slopes of the Šar Mountains and is bisected by the Lumbardh River.

The Old Stone Bridge (Ura e Gurit) was built during the Ottoman era at the end of the 15th century AD.  The bridge connects the Shadervan and Saraçhane districts.  It was damaged by riverbed and road construction in the 1960's and destroyed by flooding in 1979.  The city rebuilt the bridge in 1982.

Click on my photos below to see them in high resolution on Flickr.  You can view the photos in high resolution by clicking here!

The Old Stone Bridge over the Lumbardh River with the Šar Mountains in the background

Cafes line the Lumbardh River as it cuts through Prizren.  Prizren offers a lively cafe & restaurant scene with many historic locations to see.

Cafes line the Lumbardh River in Prizren

Allow enough time for a relaxing stroll along the Remzi Ademi boulevard along the Lumbardh River.

Strolling Remzi Ademi Boulevard

Kaljaja Fortress (aka Prizren Fortress and Dusan's Fortress) was the capital of the Serbian Empire in medieval times.  The Byzantines built the first fort at this location overlooking the Lumbardh River.  Stefan Uroš IV Dušan expanded the fort.  It was also occupied for 400 years by the Ottomans.

Kaljaja Fortress

The Ramparts of Kaljaja Fortress

The old Prizren city center, called the Shadervan features many cafes and restaurants.

Men talking to a woman in Shadervan Square

Horse & Carriage in Shadervan Square

One of the oldest buildings in Prizren is the Sinan Pasha Mosque built in 1615 during the Ottoman Empire era.  

Sinan Pasha Mosque c 1615

The League of Prizren was formed in 1878 to unite 47 Ottoman "beys" in Kosovo, establish an autonomous region and to organize their defense.   We enjoyed exploring the various buildings of the Prizren League House Complex.

Entering the Prizren League House Courtyard

The Prizren League House

Bajrakli Mosque (Mosque of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror) & Museum

Chris, Pam & I in front of the League of Prizren House

We wrapped up our visit to Prizren with lunch at Te Syla Restaurant.  I enjoyed Pljeskavica (seasoned beef & lamb) with Lepinja Bread (a sort of fluffy Pita Bread) and a Tirana Beer or two which were very good 8^)

You can view the photos in high resolution by clicking here!

5 Euro Note (back)