Bus from Petrovac to Prizren

Prizren, often reffered to as Czar’s City - a name that has its origin in the very founding of the city, is the second largest city in now independent Kosovo after Pristina due to its population numbering 180000 citizens. Nevertheless, no other town on Kosovo and wider can surpass Prizren and its rich history, combined with the beautiful nature of the Shar Mountains and nearby ski resort Brezovica, which leave a lasting impression on every visitor and the yearning to come back.

Prizren flourished in the Illyrian times, when it was of great importance due to its position at the crossroads of the Balkan peninsula, which became a perfect settling ground for numerous empires throughout the history, such as Byzantine and Ottoman empire, whose cultural and architectural influence is still evident in the cityscape, particularly around the Shadervan Square, the most distinctive part of the city.

Despite being the center of conquest of many, Prizren is regarded as the best preserved town when it comes to its cultural heritage. During the Kosovo War in 1998/1999, the bombing attacks haven’t done much damage, but the ethnical structure, which up to the war consisted of the communion of Serbs and Albanians, changed significantly as the aftermath of the war, when local Serbs migrated to the surrounding countries, leaving behind their charred houses of the Serbian Quarter.

Today, Prizren is praised for its diversity and valuable remnants of its history which attract tourist from all over the world.

The starting point for those visiting Prizren should be Shadervan Square, a historical cobbled square featuring the fountain in the middle which is as old as the square itself. It is separated from the rest of the city by the Old Stone Bridge above river Bistrica, which dates from the 16th century and is considered to be an entrance to the Shadervan. The square is always swarming with people thanks to its countless pubs, restaurants, cafes, etc., and is the favorite gathering point for both locals and visitors.

The most important sightseeing attraction in Prizren is the Church of Our Lady of Ljeviš, which, like all other orthodox churches in Prizren, is closed to the public, unless one gets approval to visit in the Church of St. George. The church was placed under UNESCO’s World Heritage in Danger list in the aftermath of the unrest in 2004 caused by the Albanian population. While the process of getting the approval can prove to be a daunting task, it will be worth doing, as the church hides some magnificent wall paintings and the frescos which are currently being restored.

The best place to have a panoramic view over Prizren would be the Church of the Holy Savior in the Potkaljaja region, which during the peacefull times was under the care of Šemić family. It was built in the 14th century by Mladen Vladojević, and due to its significance it was declared a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1990. This terracota church was left unfinished in the 19th century as the church has suffered a sigificant damage in the fire in the same century. Today, it has two domed towers.  The church was also damaged during the unrest in March 2004, when it was placed under the protection of KFOR.

The Gazi Mehmet Pasha Hammam, primarily used as a public bath, is an exceptional building with two large and nine smaller domes, divied into men's and women's section, Buing built in th 16th century, this building is of great cultural, as well as historical and architectural importance, for which is highly praised as the most valuable hammams in Europe. Nowadays, it hosts numerous art exibitions.

The largest mosque in the city, the Mosque of Sinan Pasha, was built during the time of Ottoman Empire. The interior of the mosque fascinates visitors with its floral decorations and numerous ornaments of flora and fauna on its 2-meters thick walls, which are reminiscent of the baroque style. The mosque also has a spacious library containt books from different periods and interesting contents.

Apart from its cultural diversiry, Prizren has a lot to offer for those who would like to explore the gastronomy of this ancient city. For those who have a sweet tooth, traditional desserts like tullumba and baklava, similar in taste, are a must-try, while does who have more sophisticated palate can enjoy in the subtle taste of the Shar cheese combined with grilled meat and a glass of wine.