the Travel Enthusiast
- 04 Nov
evike14 in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS5 reasons to visit Kosovo
photo by Donika Sadiku on Flickr
Kosovo is merely the newest addition to the ever shape-shifting Balkans. This newborn country is still trying to find its feet, but in its few years of independence it managed to do quite well by itself.
The cities in the mountains are being rebuilt, new and modern buildings rise up among the crumbling buildings destroyed in the war, and countless memorials remind people of those who died in 1998-1999.
But despite this grim history, Kosovo is not a sad place, and there’s more to it than beautiful scenery and mountains – it is a mix of six cultures trying to get along and rebuild their country. Here are 5 reasons to visit Kosovo.
The capital
Pristina, photo by Rain Rannu on Flickr
Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, is one of those places that is made for walking tours. Although most of the inhabitants speak Albanian, if you venture into the small portion of the city where international organizations have set up camp, you will practically hear only English around you.
Walk on Bill Clinton Boulevard and take a look at the three storey portrait of the former US president, seek out the rare oasis of green (Germia Park is a good place for some greenery), visit the museums or stop for coffee in one of the ubiquitous cafes of Pristina.
Balkan villages
The Balkans are full of villages where the rural way of life is preserved together with customs and traditions, and one of the most interesting villages in Eastern Europe is Brod, in southern Kosovo. This Gorani village is simply spectacular: mud-packed houses surrounded by rocky, over-grazed mountains, friendly locals, one lonely pub where the people play bingo, and no hotels – but you can take advantage of the local hospitality (for a price).
Monasteries
Gra?anica Monastery, photo by Quinn Dombrowski on Flickr
Although much of Kosovo’s population is Muslim (about 90%), there are several orthodox monasteries in Kosovo, some of which are Unesco World Heritage Sites. The Decani Monastery, for example, is a beautiful example of 13th century Serbian orthodox architecture, and has some of the most exquisite medieval frescoes in Europe.
Gra?anica Monastery is another amazing monastery, dating back to the 14th century, whose paintings and decorations are simply stunning.
Historic architecture
Kosovo has buildings and entire villages that haven’t changed a bit for the past several centuries. Prizren is one of the most historic cities in Kosovo, with countless churches and mosques. Visit the Turkish hammam, the castle, and the nearly ruined Serbian quarter. Gjakova in western Kosovo has a beautiful 17th century bazaar destroyed in 1999 but reconstructed recently. Don’t miss the fortress of Novo Brdo, once a flourishing medieval city.
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travel search by Travelgrove (get this widget)The food and drinks
photo by avlxyz on Flickr
Kosovo is not seen as a cuisine capital, but the traditional food is definitely one of the best in Eastern Europe. There are many traditional restaurants in the villages around larger cities, where you can eat the traditional burek (stuffed pastry), or Tava e Prizrenit, a sort of national dish or Turkish origins containing lamb, eggplant and tomato.
One of the best things about Kosovan cities is the thriving cafe culture – in Pristina there are cafes everywhere, and Kosovan coffee is supposedly one of the best in Europe.
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