Summer Flight Timetable for Flights to Albania
(Version 5 Effective 05 March 2021)
PEJA
Where Nature Runs Wild!
Rugova Canyon
Rugova Canyon or Rugova Gorge, Gryka e Rugovës is a river canyon near Peja in Western Kosovo, in the Prokletije mountains, close to the border with Montenegro. With a length of 25 kilometres, 16 miles and a depth up to 1,000 meters, Rugova is considered to be one of Europe’s longest and deepest canyons. It was created by water erosion and the retreat of the Peja glacier. The Peja Bistrica river cuts through the canyon. In 1985, Rugova Canyon was declared a protected monument of natural heritage due to its geological, hydrological, speleological and botanic values and its spectacular landscape.
The canyon starts to narrow about 3 kilometres from Peja and continues to narrow for the next 6 kilometres, creating a steep valley which the river of Peja Bistrica flows through. It narrows again in an outfall along the western road of the region connecting Kosovo with Montenegro. The average depth of the valley is 650-1000 meters. The canyon is inhabited on its east side and also on its west side during the summer months. Rugova Valley is considered as an ideal place to spend a day or a couple of days when you need to relax and get away from the daily routine and dynamic life in the city. It is a quiet preserved and unexplored region, and this offers a unique entertainment opportunity for the lovers of eco and rural tourism. Also don’t forget to visit its several lakes like the famously gorgeous Red Stone Lake that are located in the park.
The City of Peja
The city became a major religious centre of medieval Serbia under the Serbian Emperor Stefan Dusan, who made it the seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church in 1346. It retained this status until 1766, when the Serbian Patriarchate of Peja was abolished. Today, Peja holds the memory of old Serbian Patriarchate. Peja came under Ottoman rule after its capture in 1455. In Turkish, the town was known as İpek. The town became the centre of the Sanjak of İpek, or Dukagjin, governed by Mahmut Pasha Dukagjini as its first sanjakbey (lord).
The Sanjak of Dukagjin had four kazas: Peja, Gjakova, Gusinje and Berane. The city was settled by a large number of Turks, many of whose descendants still live in the area, and took on a distinctly oriental character with narrow streets and Ottoman-style houses. It also gained an Islamic character with the construction of a number of mosques, many of which still remain. One of these is the centrally located Bajrakli Mosque built in the 15th century.
The Albanian nationalist organization League of Peja established in 1899 was based in the city. The organization, led by Haxhi Zeka, adopted the character of the earlier League of Prizren to defend the rights of Ottoman Albanians and seek autonomous status within the empire. After an armed conflict with Ottoman forces in 1900 the organization ended its operations. Ottoman rule came to an end in the First Balkan War of 1912–13, when Montenegro took control of the city on 28 October 1912. On 8 January 1916, during World War I, Austria-Hungary took the city.
Peja was taken by Serbian forces on 17 October 1918. After World War I, the city became part of Yugoslavia. During World War II Peja was occupied by the Italian protectorate of Albania. After the war, Peja again became part of Yugoslavia as part of the Autonomous Region of Kosovo and Metohija (1945–1963), an autonomous unit within the Socialist Republic of Serbia.
Rugova Mountains
Rugova is a mountain region located to the north-west of the city of Peja, in Kosovo region. According to notes of Rugova it has been inhabited since before the 12th century. In 2013, it was designated a national park by the Parliament of Kosovo. Rugova is an ethnographically diverse region, with great importance for the literary branches of lexicology, etymology and onomastics. Rugova is a suitable region for hiking, skiing, mountaineering, paragliding, and picnics. It was ranked as the fourth most important centre for winter sports by the International Ski Federation.
Furthermore, in April 2013, Peja won the “Tourism for Tomorrow” award for the project, “Peaks of the Balkans”. Rugova is rich with many landform elements such as caves, waterfalls, glacial lakes, high peaks, and tunnels. The highest peak is Hajla at 2,403 m. From Qafa e Qyqes it is possible to observe the whole city of Peja. Guri I Kuq, 1,522 metres, has views of Deravica, Boriqe, Maja e Mariashit, Maja e Hekurave, Shkëlzeni and Lake Plav. Maja e Vjelakut is also a high peak at 2,014 metres. A via ferrata starts 4 kilometres from Peja, and is the only one in the Balkans.
Mirusha Waterfalls
The Mirusha waterfalls, Ujëvarët e Mirushës are a series of waterfalls found in the Mirusha Park, in central Kosovo. The waterfalls have, over time, created canyons and caves, which are famous throughout the country. The river has carved a 10 kilometres, 6 miles canyon and created 13 lakes with waterfalls between them. The waterfalls are one of the most visited attractions of the area and people often swim there. The walls around the waterfalls are white in colour, whereas the water from the Mirusha river is a dirty brown.
The waterfall’s caves are also popular with visitors. The highest waterfall, between the sixth and seventh lake, is 22 metres (72 ft) high. Mirusha Waterfalls is a chain of waterfalls found in the Mirusha River, situated on the south of the Gremnik Mountains; on the way to Gjakova at an altitude of 572 meters. Its distance from the capital city is approximately one hour. Mirusha River engraved a 10 kilometres long canyon and created 13 river lakes with 12 waterfalls between them. The waterfall with the biggest height is the one between the sixth and seventh lake, and it is 22 meters high. Those waterfalls between the lakes, together with the stunning landscape, and rocks and caves around the waterfalls, form an overwhelming sight and present a special tourism attraction.
Although the water temperature is usually quite cold, throughout summer when the temperature is high, swimming there can be incredibly pleasant. At certain points along the canyon lie small lakes, connected to each other by waterfalls, high up to 21 metres. There are located in total 12 waterfalls and 16 lakes. They vary in shape and size according to their position, and the structure and lithological composition of the limestone blocks. The canyon is at its widest at the final lake, while the narrowest part is in the area of the 4th lake, where it is also deepest, between cliffs 200 metres high.
In Mirusha canyon are created special relief forms: deepening, caves, rocky cuts, material deposits and lakes. Besides the waterfalls and lakes characteristic forms are also caves with different shapes and sizes. Some of the most interesting caves are the Great Church and Small Church caves, the cave in the 10th lake, the cave in the 9th lake which is divided into two channels, the left and right channel, the cave behind the 9th lake and the cave of Dush. Great Church Cave stretches at the last lake on the right side of river flow. This cave is located in a characteristic relief in the wall form. The cave in its geological past has been a source of underground waters. It has a 4 metres wide and 12 metres high entrance and has a total length of 40 metres. At the end of the cave there are few stalactites and stalagmites and karst pillars.
Lake Leqinat
Lake Leqinat ,Liqeni I Leqinatit or Liqeni I Kuqishtës, is a mountain lake found on the Mount Leqinat in the Prokletije range in western Kosovo. This lake is well known throughout Kosovo and is visited by people going to the Rugova Canyon or by people climbing nearby peaks such as Licenat at 2,341 metres (7,680 ft) and Guri I kuq at 2,522 metres (8,274 ft). Lake Leqinat is at an elevation of 1,970 m (6,463 ft). Lake leqinat is just above the village of Kuciste. This lake is well known throughout Kosovo and is visited by people going to the Rugova Canyon or by people climbing nearby peaks. Lake Liqenat is just above the village of Kuqishte.
Te Liqeni guesthouse-hostel
The Te Liqeni guesthouse-hostel in Kosovo is located in Rugova Mountains, village Kuqishtë. If you want to conquer the Rugova Mountains and have them all seen at a 360 degrees, the Te Liqeni guesthouse-hostel in Kosovo is the perfect place to choose for accommodation. Besides accommodation, Te Liqeni guesthouse-hostel in Kosovo also has a restaurant where you can enjoy traditional and international food. The restaurant of Te Liqeni guesthouse-hostel in Kosovo has terraces too which make it possible for you to have a meal and a drink and enjoy the Rugova Mountain view resembling the Alps. All construction of Te Liqeni guesthouse-hostel and restaurant are stone and wood traditional based.
Orthodox Church of Peja
The Patriarchate of Peja Monastery or Patriarchal Monastery of Peja, is a medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery located near the city of Peja, in Kosovo. Built in the 13th century, it became the residence of Serbian Archbishops. It was expanded during the 14th century, and in 1346, when the Serbian Patriarchate of Peja was created, the Monastery became the seat of Serbian Patriarchs. Monastery complex consists of several churches, and during medieval and early modern times it was also used as mausoleum of archbishops and patriarchs.
Since 2006, it is part of the “Medieval Monuments in Kosovo”, a combined World Heritage Site along with three other Orthodox Church’s. The monastery is ecclesiastically administrated by the Eparchy of Raska and Prizren, but it has special status, since it is under direct jurisdiction of the Serbian Patriarch whose title includes Archbishop of Peja. The monastery church is unique in Serbian medieval architecture, with three churches connected as one whole, with a total of four churches.
The monastery is located at the edges of the old Roman and Byzantine Siperant. The monastery complex, consisting of four churches, of which three churches connected as one whole, was built in the first third of the 13th century, 1321– 24, and 1330–37. It is presumed that the site became a metochion (land owned and governed by a monastery) of the Zica monastery, the seat of the Serbian Archbishopric at that time, while Archbishop Sava (1235) was still alive. In the first third of the 13th century, Archbishop Arsenije I (seat 1233–63) had the Church of the Holy Apostles built on the north side.
During the 14th century, small modifications were made to Church of the Holy Apostles, so some parts were decorated later. From the 13th to the 15th century, and in the 17th century, the Serbian Archbishops and Serbian Patriarchs were buried in the churches of the Patriarchate. In 1459–63, after the death of Arsenije II, the patriarchate became vacant upon abolishment by the Ottoman Empire but was restored in 1557 during the reign of sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
Bazaar of Peja
Bazaar of Peje, Çarshia e Pejës or Peja market is a marketplace in the centre of the city of Peja, in Kosovo. It was established during Ottoman rule and is located near the Pecka Bistrica river, between parallel residence zones. The market historically housed blacksmiths and carpenters but also facilitated the agricultural market.
The marketplace was completely destroyed at least twice, once during the Italian occupation in 1943, and once during the Kosovo War (1998–99). The market was fully rebuilt after the Kosovo War, according to the historical Ottoman architecture, and serves as the main market in the city of Peja and is one of the many monuments which are under protection by the Republic of Kosovo. The main street of the market is known in Albanian as Çarshia e Gjatë, Long Bazaar in English.
White Drin River & Waterfall
The White Drin Waterfall is a waterfall in the western part of Kosovo. It is located in the Zljeb mountain in the Prokletije in the village of Radavc, 11 kilometres away from the town of Peja. The waterfall is located at the mouth of the White Drin river and is 25 metres high. Mountainous scenery surrounds the waterfall and makes it a popular tourist attraction throughout Kosovo. Other smaller waterfalls are near the area. The waterfall, together with the cave and the spring of White Drin River is taken under legal protection in 1983, as nature monument due to its geomorphological, hydrological, and touristic values with a surface of 89.94 hectares.
It runs through 122 kilometres of the territory of Kosovo, moving in a north-side direction. Its source is at Rusolia Mountain at an altitude of 586 meters, where it creates a beautiful waterfall with a height of 30 meters. Then it continues its way down to the Dukagjini plane and joins Drini i Zi near Kukës town (Albania). The waterfall created at the source of the river is a rare and stunning phenomenon, which attracts a great number of visitors and offers an unforgivable experience. Moreover, Holy Bridge, Ura e shenjtë, is another spot in this area, frequently visited by the tourists. It is an old bridge, built above an interesting and unique canyon created by White Drin River and it dates since WWII.
Beleg Mountain
Beleg, Maja Beleg or Beleg is a mountain reaching a height of 2,142 metres (7,028 ft) located on the tripoint of Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro. It is the second highest peak of the Mokra Gora mountain in the Prokletije range after Pogled at 2,156 metres (7,073 ft). Beleg is located a few kilometres north-west of the town of Istok in Kosovo. The Mountain is synonymous with skiing in the winter as the area provides some of the best scenery and slopes and lush with vegetation in the summer months with its Mediterranean climate.
Villa Rudi
Villa Rudi Group resort offers comfortable accommodations and traditional food in the beautiful village of Bogë. Nestled in the Rugova Valley, along the western slopes of the Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps), this resort is situated 29 kilometres (18 miles) northwest of the city of Pejë. Renovated in 2007, the hotel and restaurant face the ski slopes and offers bungalow apartments and a ground floor area with televisions, kitchens, and bathrooms.
The ski lift is just a few meters from the rooms. Its restaurant and terrace can accommodate up to 100 guests and serves delicious traditional Rugova cuisine. It can also serve as an ideal venue for workshops, seminars, and conferences. Ski rentals and ski lessons can be arranged. In the summer season, Rudi Group organizes guided hiking tours; in the winter season, the Rudi Group offers special rates and arranges bookings.
Mali i Zhlebit
Mali I Zhlebit or Žljeb is a large mountain in western Kosovo and Rožaje Municipality, eastern Montenegro. It is part of the Prokletije, located between the mountains of Hajla and Mokna. Nearly all the mountain is in the territory of Kosovo. The White Drin river originates in the mountain. Zljeb mountain also forms part of the eastern side of Rugova Canyon. It has two high and impressive peaks: the higher is called Rusulija and is 2,382 m high, while the lower is called just Zhlebit, at 2,365 m. Rusulija's slopes are covered with rich forests and near the summit there are meadows.
