Summer Flight Timetable for Flights to Albania
(Version 5 Effective 05 March 2021)
PRISHTINA
The Young Lively Capital!
Newborn Monument
The Newborn Monument is a typographic sculpture and tourist attraction in Pristina, Kosovo. It is located in front of the Palace of Youth and Sports, It was unveiled on 17 February 2008, the day that Kosovo formally declared its independence from Serbia. The monument consists of the English-language word "Newborn" in capital block letters, which were painted bright yellow when the sculpture was first revealed. The monument was later re-painted with the flags of the states that have recognized Kosovo.
At the unveiling of the monument it was announced that it will be painted differently on the anniversary of Kosovo's independence movement day every year. The monument attracted the attention of international media reporting Kosovo's movement declaration of independence, and it was featured prominently on the front page of The New York Times. Newborn was designed and created in a collaboration between Kosovar designer Fisnik Ismaili and creative agency Ogilvy Kosova. Upon completion and approval of the design, the monument was created and installed in only 10 days.
Monastery Gracanica
Gracanica Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery located in Kosovo. It was built by the Serbian king Stefan Milutin in 1321 on the ruins of a 6th-century basilica. The monastery was declared a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1990, and on 13 July 2006 it was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List under the name of Medieval Monuments in Kosovo as an extension of the Visoki Decani site which was overall placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Gracanica Monastery is one of King Milutin's last monumental endowments.
The monastery is located in Gracanica, a Serbian enclave in the close vicinity of Lipljan, the old residence of bishops of Lipljan. Gracanica was constructed on the ruins of an older 13th-century church of the Holy Virgin, which itself was built on the ruins of a 6th-century early Christian three-naved basilica. It was located in the centre of the Eparchy of Lipljan. Stefan Milutin's ktetor comment are written on the southern wall, including "I have seen the ruins and the decay of the Holy Virgin's temple of Gracanica, the bishopric of Lipljan, so I have built it from the ground and painted and decorated it both from inside and outside".
In 1346, when the Serbian Archbishopric was raised to the rank of Patriarchate, the bishop of Lipljan was granted the honorary title of metropolitan bishop, and since that time they were called metropolitans of Lipljan or Gracanica. During Ottoman rule Gracanica became an important cultural centre. In the time of Metropolitan Nikanor (1528–1555) several icons were painted on the altarpiece. Also, because of the printing press, Nikanor obtained numerous service books and objects for monastic use. The royal doors were commissioned in 1564 by Metropolitan Dionisije, whose death is represented on a fresco in the narthex. After the World War II it was renewed by nuns and has been serving as a convent since. Today there are 24 sisters in the monastery who are active in icon painting, agriculture, sewing and other monastic obedience’s. In 1999 the monastery was bombed twice by NATO airplanes.
After the Kosovo War (1998–99). Gracanica represents the culmination of the Medieval art of building in the Byzantine tradition. The church has the form of a double inscribed cross, one inside the other, the inner one providing for a vertical silhouette so as to raise the central dome upwards on a graded elaboration of masses. The dome rests on four free-standing pillars. Above the spaces between the cross-shafts, four smaller domes give a regular structure to the whole crowning complex. In the church three kinds of painting can be discerned.
The earliest is found in the nave, whereas two later ones can be recognized in the narthex. The frescoes were painted in 1321–1322. The painting works have been well preserved. The compositions in the nave deal with the earthly life of Jesus and the ecclesiastical calendar. There are also considerable frescoes from 1570 in the exonarthex. There are some paintings in the narthex that date back to the late 14th and early 15th centuries, including the Baptism of Jesus, parts of the Virgin's Acathistus Hymns and the Ecumenical Councils. The paintings of Gracanica rank highest among the achievements of Milutin's period, characterized by influences of the Byzantine splendiferous and luxurious style called the Paleologan Renaissance. In terms of style, they are also related to the art of the other of Milutin's foundations.
Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa
The Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa in Pristina is a Roman Catholic cathedral being constructed in Pristina, Kosovo. In 2007, the Government of Kosovo approved plans for the building. The cathedral is dedicated to the Albanian Roman Catholic nun and missionary, Saint Teresa of Calcutta. In 2005, the foundation stone was ceremonially laid by former President of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, himself a Muslim. Construction began in 2007. The unfinished cathedral was inaugurated on 5 September 2010, the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa in 1997, as part of events commemorating the hundredth anniversary of her birth. The cathedral was formally consecrated seven years later on 5 September 2017, 20 years after Mother Theresa's death. Upon the cathedral's completion, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Prizren-Pristina moved from Prizren to Pristina. The cathedral is one of Pristina's tallest buildings.
Kosovo Museum
Kosovo Museum is the National Museum of Kosovo, located in the city of Pristina. It was founded in 1949 and is the largest museum in Kosovo. However, the building of the museum was constructed in 1889 and it was designed according to the Austro-Hungarian style of construction and its real aim was establishing the high military command of that time. The Museum is the earliest institution of cultural heritage in Kosovo, established with the goal of preserving, restoration-conservation and presentation of movable heritage on the territory. It is situated in a special facility, from an architectural point of view but also because of its location since it is situated at the old nucleus of the city centre.
The Kosovo Museum has departments of archaeology, ethnography, and natural science, to which a department for the study of history and the National Liberation Struggle was added in 1959. It has been active in sponsoring archaeological excavations, conservation and other scientific work. The overall museum consists of three museum parts: Kosovo Museum itself, Emin Gjiku’s Housing Complex where an ethnological exhibition has been presented, and the Museum of Independence. Museum consists of four sectors, archaeological sector, ethnological sector, historic sector and natural sector.
The main museum building consists of 3 halls or galleries and one of them serves as a hall for permanent archaeological exhibitions, but various exhibits are also presented in the inner yard of the museum as well at the lapidarium, respectively in the Archaeological Park, which is located next to the museum building, or on the right side of it. In the cellars of the museum, are located the warehouses of thousands of findings, artefacts and movable fragments of archaeological material, which are systematized and kept in special conditions with particular attention and care.
King’s Mosque
Fatih Mosque was built in 1461, eight years after the collapse of Constantinople. It was built during the rule of Sultan Mehmet II al-Fatih – also known as the Conqueror, and hence the mosque took his name. It is located in the old part of Prishtina town and it is the biggest and most important mosque. Inside, painted floral decorations and arabesques grace the walls and ceiling. Its cupola was once the biggest in the region.
The Mosque of Sultan Mehmet Fatih II is located at the core of the old city of Prishtina, near the Great Hammam (15th century), Clock Tower (19th century), the building of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo (19th century), declared as cultural heritage monuments. It was built by the order of Sultan Mehmet Fatih II – the conqueror. The inscription written in Arabic alphabet in six rows which is situated in the entry portal as the exact date of construction provides the year 1461, according to the Gregorian calendar, i.e. Hijra 865 year according to Arab calendar. Among the people it is known as the King’s Mosque and the Great Mosque. During the Austro – Turkish wars at the end of 17th century, it was turned into the Catholic church. Here was buried Pjetër Bogdani, one of the most prominent Albanian writers.
After the loss of Austrians war in 1690 the bones of the writer were exhumed and thrown into the street by the Turkish army, and the building takes back the previous function. During World War II, the German army has made reparation from the inside of the mosque. This is indicated by the painting of Rugged Cross on the entry gate. Based on the monument, structure, construction way and decorative elements it ranks among the most important buildings of Islamic architecture in Eastern Europe. In the courtyard of the Mosque is also a fountain built in 1996.
The Mosque of Sultan Mehmet Fatih, along with ancillary facilities occupies the area of 577 square metres. It was built with carved sandstones of yellow colour. The walls from inside are lined with bricks joined and plastered with lime mortar. It can be said that the dome of the Great Mosque is one of the largest domes of the buildings of 15th century and most successful architectural choice in Eastern Europe. On the inside there is mihrab, pulpit and pew.
As for the artistic value, the most known is wood decorated pew with stalactites shaped friz and geometric ornaments. Porch of the mosque weighs on orthogonal columns while in the upper part it is covered with domes. Central domes and domes of the porch are covered with galvanized steel. The interior of the mosque is illuminated by openings of large windows in three areas of walls and by 12 small dome openings. Kalota of the central dome, surfaces of pandativa, surfaces around windows, domes and pandativet of the porch are painted of various colours with plant motifs of technique al Seko. In architectural, spatial, structural and decorative terms, the building retains all the features since the construction time. It is a unique and dominating building on the landscape of the city of Prishtina.
Bill Clinton Boulevard
Bill Clinton Boulevard is a boulevard located in Pristina, Kosovo. Following the Kosovo War of 1998 to 1999, Albanians in Kosovo wanted to thank former U.S. President Bill Clinton for his help in their struggle with the government of Yugoslavia. A 10-foot-high (3.0 metres) statue of Clinton was unveiled on the boulevard on November 1, 2009, at a ceremony in which the former president spoke. Elsewhere in Pristina, another street has also been named after U.S. President George W. Bush. In addition, several cities in Kosovo, including Prizren, have streets named after President Woodrow Wilson.
Skanderbeg Monument
Built atop a structure that resembles a traditional Albanian hat, Skanderbeg statue was lifted in 2001, paying homage to a 15th-century hero who fought off the Ottoman empire for decades. Skanderbeg prevented enemy forces from penetrating deeper into Western Europe and played a major role in formation of Albania's national consciousness. A small plaza surrounds the statue, serving as a meeting point for locals.
Following the end of the Kosovo conflict in 1999 and longer under Serbian rule, Kosovo Albanians in 2001 erected a monument within the centre of Pristina to Skanderbeg, a medieval Albanian who fought against Ottoman forces. Over a journey of four days the statue was brought from Krujë in Albania to the middle of Pristina. The Skanderbeg statue of Pristina shares a similar socialist aesthetic and equestrian posture with minor differences in detail to existing Skanderbeg monuments in Tiranë, Skopje and other places in Europe. A war memorial dedicated to the victims of the Kosovo war is present in Skanderbeg square along with a series of photographs depicting the missing from the conflict.
Public baths of Prishtina
The Great Hammam of Pristina is one of the few Ottoman era monuments in Pristina, Kosovo. Hamams are also known as Turkish baths. It was built in the 15th century and was part of the Imperial Mosque. During the months of summer and spring, it was used as a meeting place. Considered to be one of the most important buildings of the cultural and historical heritage, the Great Hamam of Pristina was in poor condition through the years until its approval of restoration.
It is part of the cultural heritage with the decision of the Minister Memli Krasniqi of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, since October 2012. But, before that the Kosovo War, in 1985 the hamam was considered a protected monument by the law "Protection of the Monument", according to the architect Nol Binakaj. According to him, even though the hamam is different a lot from the original version, only the east part of the building and the main face of the building have been changed.
National Library of Kosovo
The National Library of Kosovo, Biblioteka Kombëtare e Kosovës, is the highest library institution in Kosovo established by the Assembly and is located in Pristina. The mission of the library is to collect, preserve, promote and make accessible the documentary and intellectual heritage of Kosovo. It holds exhibitions and holds an archive of national newspapers. The library also provides a number of other services. It is known for its unique history, and the style of the building designed by Croatian architect Andrija Mutnjakovic, followed by controversies about the outside appearance of it.
The history of libraries in Kosovo dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Collections of the Christian and Muslim religious communities are considered as the oldest archive’s libraries in Kosovo. Kosovo's institutional library was officially founded in December 1944 in the city of Prizren, which at the time was the capital of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo. In 1982 the library was moved to the current building, which was built in Pristina, the current capital of Kosovo. After the war in Kosovo there was a great will and desire to reconstruct the library buildings and reestablish library services at all levels. This was done with the assistance of a special group of experts from UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.
The most significant part of the current library is its building. There are contradictory opinions about its style, which have resulted in different versions regarding the building. The current building of the National Library of Kosovo was inaugurated on 25 November 1982. Its space consists of 16,500 square meters. It is made with zenith windows, with a total 99 domes of different sizes and is entirely covered in a metal fishing net, which have their own particular architectural symbolism.
According to the architect of the National Library of Kosovo the building is meant to represent a style blending Byzantine and Islamic architectural forms. In other sources there are statements from the actual architect that “this project which is linked to the tradition of pre-Romanesque architecture of the Balkans, was being considered among other project for the Sarajevo National Library building”. The National Library of Kosovo has 1,890,194 library units, with 475,324 titles, which 382,806 of them are books, 281,591 are magazines, 984,022 newspapers and 241,775 other units. Between 2004 and 2009 the library was enriched with 30,000 new titles.
Germia Park
Germia is a regional park located in the north-east of Pristina, Kosovo, and covers an area of 62 square kilometres. This mountain massif is a part of the Rhodope Mountains, which lie from the Black Mountain of Skopje to Kopaonik mountains. Its highest point, Butos Peak, is 1050 meters above sea level and its lowest 663 meters above sea level. Its endless forests, well maintained paths, fresh air, and the spitting distance from the city make it an attractive place to spend a nice quiet afternoon or weekend. In addition, a large swimming pool is situated in the entrance of the park. Skiing is another activity that can be performed there during winter.
Due to its geographical position and climate conditions, Germia massif has a rich fauna with 63 species of animals and a variety of about 600 species of flora. In 1987, the "Germia" complex was taken under protection by Pristina's Municipal Assembly in the category of the Regional Nature Park and is now managed by the publicly owned enterprise "Hortikultura". The recreation area covers an area of 41.40.52 hectares, where most of the area is coated with forests of oak and beech while the rest includes meadows, roads and other infrastructure. This area starts from Germia's pool and stretches to the beginning of the ski lift, including meadows, children's playground, sports terrains and inns.
Tomb of Sultan Murad
The Tomb of Sultan Murad is a mausoleum dedicated to the Ottoman Sultan Murad I located in the Prishtina District, Kosovo. Murad I was killed in the Battle of Kosovo in 1389. The monument was built in the 14th century by Murad I's son Bayezid I, becoming the first example of Ottoman architecture in the Kosovo territory. His internal organs were buried in Fushë Kosovë and remain to this day in the tomb at the site. Murad's other remains were taken to Bursa, his Anatolian capital city, and buried there in his second tomb at the Hüdavendigâr complex in Bursa. The monument was mentioned by Evliya Çelebi in 1660. The tomb has gained a religious significance for the local Muslims.
Gadime Cave
The Marble Cave or the Gadime Cave, Shpella e Mermerit is a karst limestone cave in the village of Gadime e Ulët in the municipality of Lipljan in Kosovo. Much of it is still unexplored. The cave was found in 1966 by a villager, Ahmet Asllani, who was working on his garden. Gadime cave is located within the marble limestones belonging to the Mesozoic era. The cave was formed during the tertiary period. In course of time the marbles were subjected to cracking as a result of tectonic erosions. The entrance to the cave is in two directions. The lower direction is relatively complicated and consists of 3 transverse channels, 2 parallel and curved corridors. The upper direction consists of two combined corridors. The total length of the cave is 1.260 m and its area is 56.25 hectares.
Batllava Lake
Batllava Lake is one of the biggest lakes in Kosovo located in the eastern part of Kosovo. It is fed by the Batlava River. The lake has an area of 3.27 square kilometres and a maximum depth of 48 meters. The artificial lake was created during the communist era as a water supply source for the Pristina and Podujevë regions. It serves as the main source of drinking water for the territory of Prishtina and Besiana and is one of the most popular touristic destinations for Kosovars. The area of Batlava is a popular destination for locals and has benefitef from this as development has allowed for more tourists to be catered for. The lake is in the Lab region and is fed by the Batlava River from the north. The village of Koliq is also located quite near the lake.
Badovc Lake
Badovc Lake is a lake situated in the Gollak Mountains, in the south-east of Prishtina. The lake has an area of 2.57 square kilometres. It is used as one of the main sources of water for the territory of Prishtina. Because of its surrounding picturesque environment, it has become a popular touristic destination during spring and summer as the area provides several artificial beaches and entry points for a swim under the summer climate.
Harilaq fortress
The Harilaq fortress, Kalaja e Harilaqit or Kështjella e Harilaqit, is situated on top of the hill known by the local toponomy as the Gradina – Harilaq, set in an elevated and dominant position, west from the Ariljaca village. The fortress is located in an altitude of maximum 766 metres above sea level, and is approximately sited 9 kilometres southeast from the town of Fushë Kosovë.
The total surface of the fortress, also counting the circular walls/ ramparts, measures around 1.3 hectares of the inner space of the stronghold. The archaeological excavations at this site were conducted in several seasons, commencing in 2005 and were carried out systematically until 2010 by the staff of the Museum of Kosovo, particularly the Archaeological Institute of Kosovo. Nonetheless, several conservations and consolidations of the circuit walls were done in order to preserve the remains.
During the five archaeological seasons works, numerous remains and foundations of sacral, profane and utilitarian buildings were discovered. In regard, the entire outer sides of the rampart with towers at the axes were unearthed, as well as a church with three naves and a Saskrity are discovered, but also two almost identical structures in a rounded shape of an unknown sacral complex has been uncovered, as well. On the other hand, vast movable archaeological material composed of: metal made working tools, jewelry, coins, bricks, glass fragments and architectural structures, all clear indications that pinpoint to the Late Antique date and especially typical for the Justinian Period.
Also, at this fortress traces of prehistoric periods have been evidenced, especially emphasizing the metal periods, but it continued to exist all through antiquity and up to the Medieval Period. The Harilaq castle differs from other fortifications of this period, not only within Kosovo but throughout the Central Balkans. The fortress differs from the other castles for the construction of the curtain wall, for interior architectural structures and binding material used.
Ulpiana
Ulpiana was an ancient Roman city located in what is today Kosovo. It was also named Justiniana Secunda. Ulpiana is situated in the municipality of Lipljan. Ulpiana lies in fertile land, near the left bank of the river Gracanica, where nearby there is a mine which has been used since Roman times. This mine notably played a considerable role on the development of important cities in the Roman province of Dardania.
In the geo-physical research made by an Albanian archaeologist and other, it has been found that there are more than 100 hectares worth of objects within the territory of the ancient town. On the north side of the city is the cemetery, where several important establishments have been found, such as the foundations of a Basilica (Paleolithic-Christian) of early Christianity, built in the early 4th century by Emperor Justinian. Also found is the north entrance of the city, with its walls, a memorium and a room or a form of funeral. The ruins of a building with a beautiful mosaic are found in the south of the city.
The research was mainly focused on the ancient objects which have been found on the sides of the main road, which connected the city with the region. Ulpiana played an important role in the development of the most important cities in the Roman province of Dardania. Ulpiana is mentioned in ancient sources from the second decade of the 2nd century AD. Since then it played an important role during the invasive expeditions when the emperor could stop during his travels. Ulpiana became an important centre episcopal Episcopal joining Scupi city (modern Skopje, North Macedonia) until the establishment of Justiniana Prima. Under “Notitia” Ulpiana had a great garrison also in Pseudocomitatenses Ulpiansis.
Evidence exists that Emperor Theodosius I during the transition to Thessaloniki stayed in Ulpiana for a period of time. In the 5th century, the city was under the rule of the Goths. In 479 King Theodemir sent his son Theoderic the Great with 3,000 soldiers to destroy the city. According to the chronicle and writings of Marcellinus Comes, a devastating earthquake destroyed several towns in Dardania in the year 518. The city of Ulpiana suffered extensive damage. Emperor Justinian rebuilt the city and its fortifications. The ancient city’s fortifications had been strong, with semi-circular shaped towers that reached up to 35.5 hectares in area. Together with its surroundings, Ulpiana covered an area of approximately 120 hectares, when including Castrum and other supporting facilities.
The remains of the building with beautiful mosaics are found in the southern part of the city, which have been excavated recently by municipal workers. The sculpture represents a portrait of middle-aged woman made of white fine–grained marble, 18 cm high. In the psychological structure of this portrait, realism is the predominant means of representation of the inner life and a certioni stillness in the contrast soft labelling supports even more the impression of meditation, yearning, sensitivity and restraint. The details of the face with the small, lightly marked locks on the forehead, all shaped in a masterly manner, emphasize its individual characterizations.
Artana (Novobërdë) Fortress
Artana/ Novo Brdo Fortress is a medieval fortress in Kosovo. Its ruins are located near the town of Novobërdë, about 40 kilometres east of Pristina. The fortress was built in the late 13th century by king Stephen Uros II Milutin of Serbia to protect gold, silver, iron and lead mines which were abundant throughout the area. Novobërdë was famous for its silver.
Together with the castles of Prizrenac, 12 kilometres to the southwest, and Prilepac, 13 kilometres to the southeast, which guard access roads to the fortress, Artana helped form a defensive complex overlooking the lucrative mining operations. Artana was at its height during the Serbian Despotate, when it was the most important mining area and second most important town. A significant number of Saxon miners and a large Ragusan merchant colony lived within the town, which was ruled by a vojvoda, but also a governor, because it was the seat of an administrative unit of the Despotate.
For its fortress and production of silver and gold, Artana has been referred to as a “mountain of gold and silver”. It was regarded as one of the richest cities in Balkans because of its natural resources, and consequently was often called as “the city of silver and gold”. The castle was built on top of a dead volcano crater, whose ruins can still be noticed these days. After Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia in February 2008, the site was established as a Special Protective Zone of Kosovo. Remains of fortifications, buildings, and mining facilities are scattered throughout the area.
Janjeva
Janjeva was known for its gold and silver mines and between the 12th and 14th centuries the Republic of Dubrovnik opened several mines there as well as the associated infrastructure, such as a foundry and winches for carrying the ore. These mines have not functioned for centuries though it is said that a hunter’s dog once followed a rabbit from Janjeva to Gadime, about 10 kilometres away and entirely underground, presumably following the mines or a cave.
The settlement has a long history, having been mentioned for the first time in 1303 as a Catholic parish. Following the opening of mines in the sixteenth century, the town’s population grew, and the former village took on the appearance of a town with goldsmiths, shoemakers, and manufacturers of different tools. It was not much later that this town also built a church that was noted for its size.
By around 1671 Janjeva also had its own school. Mari Bici writes that at that time a mixed population of Catholics, Muslims and Orthodox lived in Janjeva, and notes around 500 families: 200 Orthodox, 180 Muslim and 120 Catholic. Today Janjevo/a’s population numbers around 3,000 inhabitants. Interethnic harmony in Janjeva is evidenced by the fact that there was not a single case of killings or houses being burned between the communities at any time either before, during or since the conflict of 1998-9. In Janjeva, even to this day, old crafts such as metalwork are practiced, along with newer crafts such as the production of plastics.
Nevertheless, now, the majority of the population is engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. St. Nicholas Catholic Church was built in 1856. Every year the Janjeva Catholic community– Croats and Albanians – celebrates the Day of the Church, St. Nicholas Day, on 9 May. To celebrate this day, many guests come from Croatia and across Kosovo. The Murat Bey Mosque in Janjeva is around 400 years old and is located in the centre of the town. “Isak Baba” Tekke / Tomb is about 500 years old. It is thought to be of a soldier who defended the village population and was killed in action. His exact origin and from whom he was defending the population are unknown. One of the first schools in the history of Kosovo opened in Janjeva in 1665 and is still in use today.
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