Prizren in Kosovo

Prizren is the second largest city in Kosovo. In the old quarter there’s a stone bridge, or Ottoman bridge as it’s referred to in some guidebooks. If this conjures up images of Mostar for you then you will be in for a disappointment should you come here. The bridge is quite small although it has been wonderfully restored.

From a vantage point on the fort above the town, I counted 30 minarets in Prizren although I am sure there are more, The churches on the other hand are either locked, guarded by police, or surrounded by fences and razor wire. When I visited the Episcopal Church of St George in the centre, I was asked what I was doing by the police. This church was fire-bombed in 2004, so you can understand their presence. The Orthodox Church of the Virgin of Levisa on the other side of the river is still to be restored and is guarded by sharp metal instead of the police.

I have been treated in a very friendly way, but it seems as though Kosovans expect Macedonians here to speak Albanian and even ask them for money, if they are asked for directions. The prices are low  and extras such as bread and salad are provided free of charge for main meals. As many Albanian as Kosovan flags are flying around the city.