- Albanian League of Prizren Museum [Muzeu Lidhja Shqiptare e Prizrenit] - At 08:00, our expert guide will meet you at your hotel in Tirana, and we will then drive to Prizren through a picturesque valley and mountainous landscape. Our first stop will be the League of Prizren. This historic complex is where the Albanian political organization was established on June 10, 1878. The League officially began with a gathering of 300 representatives from all Albanian regions, including Bosnians from Bosnia and Sanxhak. The goal of the meeting was to create an autonomous Albanian state encompassing the Ottoman regions of Prizren, Shkodra, Manastir, and Janina. On June 13, 1878, the League presented an eighteen-page memorandum to Benjamin Disraeli, the British representative at the Congress of Berlin, declaring: “Just as we are not and do not want to be Turks, so we shall oppose with all our might anyone who would like to turn us into Slavs or Austrians or Greeks. We want to be Albanians.
- Stone Bridge - There is no definitive evidence regarding the construction of the bridge, but its typology suggests it was likely built at the end of the 15th century. The Old Bridge features three arches, with the middle arch being the largest and the side arches smaller and asymmetrical.
During the renovation of the “Remzi Ademi” road in the 1950s, the bridge’s appearance changed as the right arch (north side) was closed to widen the road. Despite its altered appearance, the bridge remained until November 17, 1979, when a flood destroyed it. The bridge was rebuilt, with the cornerstone laid on June 5, 1982, and the inauguration on November 17, 1982.
- Sinan Pasha Mosque - The Sinan Pasha Mosque is an Ottoman mosque located in Prizren, Kosovo. Built in 1615 by Sofi Sinan Pasha, bey of Budim, the mosque is a prominent feature of Prizren’s skyline. It measures approximately 14 m (46 ft) by 14 m (46 ft) and is square in shape. The mosque has one large dome and a smaller half-dome covering the mihrab, which is painted and features a stalactite hood. The walls are 1.65 m (5.4 ft) thick, and the minaret, topped with a conical lead-covered structure, stands at 43.5 m (143 ft) tall. The interior walls and dome were painted in the 19th century with floral patterns and Qur’an verses, and the minbar is adorned with floral motifs. Both domes are covered with lead, and the stone flooring and carpentry are original.
- Kalaja Fortress - The steep 15-minute hike from Prizren’s old town (following the road past the Orthodox Church on the hillside, which is well-signed and obvious) is well worth it for the stunning views over the city and beyond. The fortress itself is somewhat dilapidated, but restoration work is ongoing. In the evenings, many locals visit, creating a lively atmosphere, while during the day it can be quite deserted. Archaeological remains dating back to 1100 BC have been found here, but the first fortress was built by the Byzantines.
- Air-conditioned vehicles
- Expert tour guides
- Lunch
- All fees and/or taxes
Prizren in Kosovo, a delightful city with mosques and monasteries originating from the 14th century. Luckily, it mostly avoided both the ‘out with the old, in with the new’ mentality of the communists in their initial ruling years in Yugoslavia and the racial and religious brutalities that shook the Western Balkans in the final decade of the 20th century. Prizren has the most well-maintained old town in the nation to date and is frequently labeled as the cultural capital of Kosovo.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
