|
Prizren Prizren is one of the most beautiful towns of the Kosova. It is located on the slopes of the Sharr Mountains and on the banks of the river Bistrica. The old centre has many beautiful houses with balconies facing gardens full of foliage. Numerous narrow, winding streets work their way up to the Kalaja - the old fortress dominating the town. The main attractions include of course the Kalaja of Prizren dating from the 11th century and built to protect Prizren from attacks. The Bajrakli Gazi Mehmet Pasha's mosque is the oldest monument of Islamic art in Prizren. The inscription above the entrance states it was built in 1561. A hexagonal mausoleum (medresa) has been built in the courtyard of the mosque which Mehmet Pasha earmarked as his grave. Mehmet Pasha also built a Turkish bath in the town, which is built of cut stone and large bricks, in extremely harmonious proportions. The interior is divided into two parts: the baths for men and the baths for women. Sinan Pasha's mosque, according to inscriptions, was built in 1615. The enormous dome is fitted harmoniously into the square mass of the building. The interior of the mosque is decorated with geometrical designs, still life, and draperies, while the other parts of the walls are painted in strong light colors. One of the oldest standing structures in Prizren is the Shën mëria Levishka Church. Built originally as a Roman Catholic Church and one of the primary churches of the Catholics of the region, Levishka was later converted to an Eastern Orthodox Church. Graves and artifacts of Illyrian Dardans have been found in Prizren's vicinity, which shows that the area of Prizren has been inhabited since ancient times by the predecessors of Abanians.
|