This is a tour where you will be based in Pristina the capital but will be able to visit some of the most important monuments Kosovo offers in the two extensive excursions we have built for you.
Location: Kosovo
Duration: 4 days
We welcome you at Pristina Airport and transfer to the city where we check in at the hotel and then take a walking tour of the main sites including: the Ottoman period mosques of Pristina with probably the most beautiful, being the Fatih Mosque dating back to 1461 during the golden rule of Sultan Mehmet II. Nearby is Pristina's oldest building, the Çarshia Mosque completed in 1389, the Clock Tower, the Monument of Scanderbeg (Albanian National Hero), and the striking monument of nine brightly painted steel letters spelling out the word ‘N.E.W.B.O.R.N' designed in time for February 2008's declaration of independence from Serbia. Overnight in Pristina
After early breakfast we drive to the beautiful Gracanica Orthodox Monastery located a few miles southeast of Pristina. Founded in 1321 Gracanica was commissioned by Serbian King Stefan Milutin and it was declared Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1990, while in 13 July 2006 it was placed on the UNESCO's World Heritage List. Just a short drive south is the archaeological site of Ulpiana, the capital of Dardania, an Illyrian kingdom pre-dating the Romans as it was mentioned by Strabo an ancient Greek author. However it flourished under the Roman Empire and was mentioned as a glorious city “Urb Splendisima”. Ulpiana suffered numerous attacks from barbarian tribes and earthquakes. Emperor Justinian rebuilt it and called it “Justiniana Secunda”. Proceed through the beautiful Sharr Mountains to reach Prizren the second largest city in Kosovo, where we visit: the Sinan Pasha mosque build in 17 century, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and the 14th century Orthodox Church of “Our Lady of Ljevis” decorated with beautiful frescoes, part of the UNESCO list of protected Medieval Monuments of Kosovo. On the way back to Pristina stop at Gadima Cave, a karst limestone cave also known as Marble Cave. It was discovered by chance by a villager cutting stone in 1966 and remains largely unexplored. After visits of this beautiful cave return to Pristina. Overnight in Pristina.
In the morning drive to Peja to visit a very important religious complex, the Patriarchate of Peja constructed in the XIII century. It is composed of three small churches with beautiful frescoes. The Church of the Holy Apostles was the first church to be built by Archbishop Arsenije (d. 1266). For its architectural and cultural values it represents is part of UNESCO. Only about 20 km south lays the Monastery complex of Decan considered the largest medieval church in the Balkans. It contains the most extensive beautifully preserved fresco decorations, and is deservingly part of UNESCO for its importance in the preservation of World Heritage. This monastery was constructed by Serbian king Stefan Urosh buried in the chapel and his son Stefan Dushan. Interesting is the fact that the catholicon has striking similarities to a roman catholic church which is explained by the fact that its architect was a Franciscan monk from the Montenegrin town of Kotor, with obvious influences from Venice and Ragusa. Afterwards drive to Gjakova which has a Grand Bazaar thought to be the oldest in Kosovo also known as Ҫarshi, full of old houses & shops, a Turkish Bathhouse or Hamam and the 16th century Hadum Aga Mosque which we will visit. Return to Pristina for overnight.
After breakfast if time permits we will visit Battle of Kosovo monument dedicated to the battle of 1389 between a Balkan Alliance force against an Ottoman army led by Sultan Murad I. Both leaders were killed in a legendary battle and a few miles from this site is the symbolic grave of Sultan Murad I build by his son Bayezid I, becoming the oldest Ottoman monument in Kosovo. Drive to the airport for the flight back.
285 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 6 participants
325 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 4 participants
415 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 2 participants
Single supplement = 50 Euro. (Single rooms will usually be double or twin for single use.)
March, April, May, June, September, October, November
