THE COMPLEX OF THE ALBANIAN LEAGUE OF PRIZREN
The complex of the Albanian League of Prizren, as an urban-architectural whole in terms of space, is located in the old core of the city and has special cultural-historical, social and environmental value. This complex was formed with the construction of the Mosque of Gazi Mehmed Pasha, where other buildings were built around it, such as the League building, madrasa, tyrba, reading room and residential buildings. On June 10, 1878, the Assembly of the Albanian League of Prizren was held, organized by the Albanian intellectuals of the time. In 1978, the complex was transformed into the Museum of the League of Prizren. During the last war in 1999, the building of the residence of the League burned completely, which was rebuilt in June 2000.
OLD STONE BRIDGE
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LUMBARDHI CINEMA
Founded in the middle of the 20th century, "Kino Lumbardhi" is among the only cinemas in the Balkans with a closed and open hall. For 70 years, it has been the center of film screenings, festivals and cultural activities in the city of Prizren. Lumbardhi had a capacity of over 1,200 seats and received over 300,000 visitors a year for decades. With a repertoire of Yugoslav, western, Indian and Hollywood films, the cinema has connected generations of Prizren with each other and the world. As one of the two cultural institutions of the city, the cinema hosted concerts, festivals and various social events, until 1986 it was also the host of Zambak of Prizren. After the war, the cinema was identified with the documentary and short film festival DokuFest that started in 2002 and the two civic initiatives for its protection from privatization and demolition in 2007 and 2014. Since 2015, Kino Lumbardhi enjoys the status of protection as a heritage monument. cultural and functions as an independent cultural institution.
CLOCK TOWER - ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The Hamam of Shemsedin Ahmet Bey and the Clock Tower are located in the western part of the old city. The hammam was built in the 15th century, namely in 1498. It is not known until which year it was used as a hammam, but it is known that the hammam has not performed its function since the middle of the century. XIX when the Clock Tower was built on the warm space of the Hammam. Sahat Kulla was originally built with wood, and in the 19th century, in its current state, built with stones and bricks, Eshref Pasha Rrotulli built it. In 1912 the clock and bell were taken from the Clock Tower, and to this day they are still missing. Until 1970, the Hamam of Shemsedin Ahmet Beu and the Clock Tower were used by the nearby residents as warehouses, barns, and waste places, damaging the building to a great extent. After 1970, the works for the protection of this historical value began, in 1972 the plots were expropriated, while in 1975 the facility was opened with a new destination, i.e. the transformation of the hammam into the Archaeological Museum of the Prizren Region. The museum deals with archaeological material from archaeological sites of the Prizren Region, namely from the municipalities of Prizren, Dragash, Rahovec, Malisheva and Suhareka. The exhibited material presents a wide time period of artefacts, from Neolithic, Eneolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Ancient Roman Period, Middle Ages and Ottoman Period. In 2008, works were carried out on the internal restoration of the object by MKRS, while in 2014/15, with the financing of the American Embassy in Kosovo, the external restoration of the Museum, the roof, as well as the accompanying premises (courtyard, offices, sanitary joints, etc.).
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN THE HISTORICAL CENTER OF PRIZREN
The archaeological site, which has already been integrated into the connection square in Prizren, includes two cultural layers: the ruins of walls from the bylmet bazaar in the Ottoman period, which existed until the middle of the 20th century, and underneath, the structure of a Roman villa that is believed date from the III-IV century. In addition to conservation and presentation to the public, the surrounding space has also been regenerated and integrated. Through the integration of slopes and adequate materials, access to the locality is made possible for all community groups, thus becoming the newest attraction in the Connection Square near the Lumbardhi stream.
FORMER SUMADIJA HOTEL – JEWISH CULTURAL CENTER
The building is located in the Historic Center of Prizren, in the old neighborhood called "Qafa e Kishës", surrounded by individual residential buildings. The building is part of the legacy of the ancient hospitable tradition of Prizren throughout the centuries. In continuation of the hotel tradition of the inns and hotels of the Ottoman period, such as Hotel "Istanbul" and "Selanik", at the beginning of the 20th century, respectively, during the years 1912, two hotels were built, "Kruna" and Hotel "Shumadija". The first big cinema of the city was also opened in this hotel. The proximity to the Catholic church complex and Bujtinat street, where the inns built during the c. XIX, made it part of the ensemble of hotel and social facilities. After the period of the Second World War, the building continues to be used as a cinema, while the function of the hotel ceases. In addition to the cinema, it has also served as an auxiliary space to meet the needs of the High School of Music, and the "Metohija" and then "Liria" sports clubs. In 2016, this building was handed over to the Jewish Community of Kosovo. Currently (2023) restoration and consolidation works are underway in the building.
SHATËRVAN'S FOUNTAIN
In the Historic Area of Prizren, near the Mosque of Sinan Pasha, there is the fountain of "Shatërvan". It is assumed that it was built in the century. XVII (after the construction of the mosque of Sinan Pasha). The base of the chrysalis is square shaped with stone cut from greyish marble, the upper part has the shape of an octagon. Water pipes are located on the four sides of the crotch at a height of 1 m. The upper part is in the shape of an octagon, decorated with geometric ornaments. The shells for conveying water are made of arched concrete surrounded by hewn stones. The water from the shells flows into the canals. Kroi Fountain comes from the Persian word: "Kroi with many streams". It is located in the heart of the center of the City of Prizren and is supposed to be the oldest in the city. Since it underwent changes during the Ottoman period, as a result, the time of construction is not known.
OLD ASSEMBLY BUILDING - BELEDIJE
The Beledies - Commune building was built in the Tabakhane neighborhood in the 19th century and served as a Commune for the Ottoman authorities in Prizren. It is located on the western border of the Historic Zone of Prizren, on the northern coast of Lumbardhi. It is characterized by rich treatment of facades with wall plastic decorations with Baroque style elements. The front facade, the one from the street above the entrance door, has a balcony surrounded by an iron fence. The interior is characterized by elements of woodwork, in the worked pillars, stair railings and ceilings. It is worth mentioning the ceiling in the main floor room, made of wood and decorated with wall paintings with floral motifs. On the northern side of the building, during the 19th century, the stream flowed and the "Beledije" stone croft was built next to it. On the occasion of the construction of the road axis, this scraper was deployed in the Martyrs' Square. In the years 2010/2011, with donations from the European Union Office in Kosovo, the entire restoration of the building is done, in which case the building becomes the first Regional Center for Cultural Heritage in the Balkans. In addition to the training center, the Tourist Information Office for the city of Prizren is also located in this building. The Beledies building is a unique example of a public, administrative building built during the 19th century. XIX and as such has high historical, artistic and social value.
THE CITY'S FIRST CINEMA
One of the monuments of the city of Prizren that has survived the circumstances of the time is the public building from the end of the century. XIX that has served different purposes over time. During the Balkan Wars and the First World War, the building was used as a hotel. Then, in the time between the two World Wars, the ground floor was used for showing movies while the first floor continued to be used as a hotel. It seems that the use of this building as a cinema was until the 50s of the century. XX when the first real "Lumëbardhi" cinema is built in the old core of the city. Traditional folk architecture with Neoclassical - Secession elements on the southern facade. Despite the severe conditions of continuous damage due to the age of the monument, it still continues to be a function of film, art and culture activities in the city of Prizren.
MARASH NEIGHBORHOOD COMPLEX
In the Arabic language "Marash" i.e. refreshment place. This complex is rich with underground sources of water, and the gurgling waters of Lumbardhi. Within the Complex, in addition to natural beauty and clean air, there is an Oak (Platanus) over 450 years old. This complex is rich in architectural heritage dating from different periods. In its eastern part, there is the Mosque of Max Pasha, which dates from the c. XVII, the tomb of Haxhize-baba, the mill of Shotman and Sheh-Zade, the six "Topokli" plots and the old residential buildings expressed in the verse that dominate this complex. After the floods that hit Prizren on November 18, 1979, part of the residential buildings that were by the river were destroyed.
"SHKA AGIMI" BUILDING
SHKA "Agimi" is one of the oldest cultural and artistic associations in the city of Prizren. Founded in 1944, the Agimi association brought together the city's most vocal artists, keeping alive a tradition that is both old and contemporary for the city of Prizren. The artist and professor of Albanian folklore, Anton Cetta, was its first leader. After him, many other prominent figures successfully lead this association with values such as Petrit Nushi, Dashnor Xërxa, Fetah Aqifi, Festim Bytyqi and Xheladin Kastrati.
Over the years, this association participated in many festivals in the former Yugoslavia as well as everywhere in the world presenting the artistic and civic values of Prizren. The awards, acknowledgments and many evaluations for SHKA "Agimi" over the years are recognition for a colossal work in the best possible representation of the culture of Prizren and Kosovo.
The SHKA Agimi building, as an important monument of our cultural heritage, was moved from the old building in 1980. With the help of some businessmen, the facility was restored to functional condition. The various sections of SHKA Agimi were: Mixed Choir; folk orchestra with singers; folk ensemble; literary and reciting group; art painting and photo group, music and drama group.
MUSEUM OF HYDROELECTROECONOMY
The object of the Museum of the Electric Economy of Kosovo or the "Prizrenasja" Hydroelectric Power Plant is located in the picturesque environment of the Lumbardhi Gorge, 2.5 km from Prizren. It was built in 1926-28 with the contribution of citizens and bank loans. The building was designed and built by an Austrian company from Vienna. The facility had the modern elements of that time: water turbines, the part for cleaning water from waste, the channel, the equipment for conveying water to the turbine and the 160 KW generator. Due to the great demand for electricity in 1936, the second generator with the same capacity was launched. The museum functioned until the mid-80s of the last century. In 1979, this important building for the industrial history of the city was transformed into the Kosovo Electricity Museum. After a long period of lack of maintenance, in 2011, with a donation from the Embassy of the United States of America, the restoration project was drawn up by QRTK Prizren and CHwB, while the restoration works were done in 2012.
ETHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF PRIZREN - SHEHZADE'S HOUSE
Shehzade's house belonged to Musa Shehzade (1870 - 1945) and is located in the flat part of the city on the "Old Saraj" road and was built at the end of the century. XVIII. In the century XIX was radically renovated, especially in the interior, while in the c. XX, interventions were made in the hall located in the northern part of the building, and the closet (doxati) was closed on the floor. It is a flat-type residential object, raised on floors. It belongs to non-symmetrical objects. The object is rich in ethnographic elements in the interior. It is worth highlighting the elaborate chimneys that are found one on the ground floor and two on the upper floors. Carpentry is also rich, especially the processing of ceilings ("Xyl-tavan"), cabinets, wardrobes, etc. On the main facade on the eastern side, wooden tympanums are made, which are also characteristic of some other houses in the city of Prizren. After the 80s of the century XX the building is not used for housing, but was used as a warehouse for electrical material. In 1999, the owner built the roof. During 2013, the object was restored, and it is planned to be transformed into an Ethnographic Museum.
KIRAJTANI FAMILY HOUSE - CENTURY. XIX
The house of the Kirajtani Family is located in the Historic Area of Prizren and was built at the beginning of the century. XIX. It is a civic house with local characteristics, formed on two floors and a basement. Designed as a two-story house, the first floor of which would extend over the entire surface of the ground floor, the building was not completed for economic reasons, leaving half the first floor and finding a solution that covers both sides the rest of the ground floor with two water roofs. In this way, this house results in a more special typology compared to other residential buildings built during the century. XIX. On the ground floor there is the hall in the middle, which also serves as an entrance space. The characteristic elements of the interior, such as windows, ceilings, cupboards, are made of wood, crafted with great skill. The processing of wooden ceilings with geometric decorations is striking. Important cultural elements are the mirrors brought from Turkey by one of the owners, who was a barber by profession. In the courtyard, in the eastern part, there is a kitchen that dates from the period of construction of the house. In 1970, an annex was built on the north-west side where the kitchen and the sanitary unit were placed. In 2011, within the framework of the Emergency Interventions program financed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the roof was restored. With the characteristic shape and preserved integrity of the building with a courtyard, this house represents a residential object of high historical and artistic value.
PRIZREN CASTLE COMPLEX
Prizren Castle is located on the eastern side of the city of Prizren located on a massive rock. The castle has reinforced walls with towers, casemates, warehouses and a number of other objects. In terms of construction, it is divided into three separate complexes known as the Upper City, the Lower City and the Southern City. While in terms of fortification over the centuries, it belongs to different periods such as the ancient period, the period of Byzantine rule, the medieval period and the period of the rule of the Ottoman Empire. The first archaeological excavations began in 1969 to continue again in 2004, 2009-2018. Prizren Castle is one of the most visited and most important cultural heritage assets in the Republic of Kosovo. Located on a massive rock, with a special position, it represents a crown of the city of Prizren. The importance of this monument is increased even more by the 7 very intense cultural deposits that cover a time span of 3500 years and that enables the study of many chronological, cultural, economic, etc. aspects. The castle of Prizren is very similar to the castle of Shkodra, Kruja, etc. Currently, the castle has been transformed from a special fortification into an exceptional point of cultural tourism. Prizren Castle is located above the city on the high river terrace, which dominates the entire Lumbardh gorge and the Prizren plain, on an area of 15,776 square meters. The exact time of construction of the Castle is not known, but it is assumed that it dates back to the 6th century, while in different time periods it was used as a residential environment, as well as for military purposes. The basement of the Castle contains a network of tunnels, one of which after 1938 was used as a water reservoir, as part of the hydro-electric and water supply system of Prizren.