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.