City Guide: Pristina

In addition to being Kosovo’s capital, Pristina is also its largest city and its political, cultural and economic center. The city, the history of which dates back to the middle ages, went under Ottoman rule in 1459. It was included in the Vilayet of Kosovo at the end of the 19th century. Pristina, which went under Serbian rule again after the Balkan Wars, stayed in the control of Germany and Italy after World War II. The city which became a part of Yugoslavia after that, remained under the interim administration of the United Nations from 1999 to 2008. Pristina became the capital city of Kosovo upon its declaration of independence on February 17, 2008. The city is in the process of rapid development as the capital city of Europe’s youngest country. Kosovo’s biggest airport, the only one from which civilian flights are made, its university and industrial establishments are located in Pristina. Albanians are the majority in the population. In addition; Turkish, Bosniak, Serbian, and Romanian people make up the rest of the population.

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• Tourist Attractions

  A large number of historical buildings in Pristina were destroyed during the war. The city was modernized especially in the Yugoslavian era. In the city, which was partially destroyed during the Kosovo War, there are some historical buildings for you to see today.
  
  Lap Mosque: Lap Mosque, which is located outside of city borders today, was built in 1470. It was destroyed to a large extent in the fire which took place in 1999. Today, the construction of new buildings is harmful to the surroundings of the mosque.
  
  Sultan Mehmed Fatih Mosque: The mosque, which was built to the request of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror following the conquest of the Balkans in 1460, is located in the old city center. The mosque, which is one of the oldest buildings of the city, is filled with 18th century ornaments and pictures.
  
  Great Hamam: The Turkish bath, which is located to the northwest of the Sultan Mehmed Fatih Mosque, dates back to the end of the 15th century. The area between the mosque and the Turkish bath used to be a meeting place for the people of Pristina during spring and summer months. Today, it is largely destroyed.
  
  Yashar Pasha Mosque: It was built by Yashar Mehmed Pasha in 1834. It is still open for worship today.
  
  The Ancient City of Ulpiana: Ulpiana is an ancient Roman city located 10 kilometers to the southeast of Pristina. In the region, where civilization dates back to 8th century BC, it was during the time of King Hadrian- the Roman ruler between 117-138 AD- that the city was built under the name of Ulpiana. The city, which was destroyed because of an earthquake in 518, was rebuilt by the order of King Justinian I. A basilica, city walls, tombs, ceramic sculptures, and mosaics were found during the excavations of the past fifty years.    
  
  Gračanica Monastery: It is one of the glorious examples of the Serbian-Orthodox architecture. It is located in the village of Lipljan, where also the ancient city of Ulpiana is located. The monastery, the construction of which was completed in the 14th century, is decorated with very rich frescoes. It is also recognized as one of the most beautiful examples of the late period Byzantine architecture.
   
  Sahhat Kulla: The original bell in the clock tower, the construction of which was completed in the 19th century, was made in Moldavia in 1764. However, that bell was stolen in 2001.
   
  Gadime Marble Cave: Gadime Marble Cave, located 20 kilometers from Pristina, is among the touristic places you must see. The 276 meter long cave was discovered in 1969 and opened to the public in 1976. The formation of the volcanic lava and tuff on the marble in the cave is dated to the time when the Kosovo Valley was also formed. The part of the cave that is open to the public is 500 meters long and touristic tours are scheduled in every two hours. 
  

• Culture & Entertainment

  Kosovo Museum, an example of Ottoman architecture, is the most important building in the cultural life of Pristina. It used to be the headquarters of the Yugoslav National Army. There are a large number of archeological and ethnological artifacts in this museum. Also the Emin Giku Ethnology Park, located in the old city center, is a magnificient example of the architecture of Kosovo. In this park, which is made up of three main buildings and two courtyards, artifacts and enactions of Kosovo’s traditional lifestyle are displayed . In addition, the rich library of the University of Pristina provides an important cultural treasure to the city. The city has an energetic lifestyle as nearly half of the population is under the age of 25. Entertainment events take place outdoors, especially during spring and summer months. People usually spend time in street cafes and outdoor parks. Places near the university campus are preferred for live music, and indoor events and parties.
   
  

• Food & Drink

  You are sure to find almost every dish of the Kosovo cuisine in Pristina. In Kosovo,  where the traditional Balkan cuisine prevails, meat dishes and pastries are important. As Pristina is the capital city, there are some restaurants in which you may find international foods. In addition, as for fast food, there are places where kabob, pies, and doner are available. Panevino, Pellumbi, and Pishat are local tastes that stand out.
  

• Shopping

  In Pristina, where big shopping malls are only beginning to operate, usually every item is purchased in stores and traditional bazaars. You may find souvenirs for very reasonable prices in Pristina. Especially silver works are not only beautiful but also of high quality.
  

Ticket Sales Offices: Pristina

• Pristina: Airport Map Information

  Pristina Airport

  Address	:	Vrelle, 10070 Lipjan, Kosova
  Phone	:	+ 381 38 5958 123

• Pristina: Airport Map Information