‘Travelers Insight’ -a travel blog of Munich Airport has
dedicated an article to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. The author Matthias
Derhake writes about his tour in Pristina which was offered by
Kosovo Holidays, a Destination Management and Tour operator company in Pristina .
Derhake is impressed by the culture in Pristina, by the positive vibe of young
people who live and study in the capital. “Pristina is moving. You can really
feel the updraft pulling through the streets.”
You will be surprised by the culinary in Pristina: “Whoever
strolls down the city promenade from Skanderbeg Square - this is where the
theater is located - should do so on an empty stomach. Because here are
numerous stalls with Albanian, oriental and international delicacies.
Especially between April and October, this food mile is a real culinary
highlight.
Read more about his trip below in English, or the original
article in Dutch.
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National Museum of Kosovo |
Visit to Pristina -
departure mood and coffee culture
In the youngest country of Europe proportionately, most
young people live, much of them in Pristina. On the one hand, the city with its
old buildings still has the Yugoslavian charm, on the other hand, one
encounters more and more hip and modern cafes, theater and art.
People in the Balkans are passionate coffee drinkers, as you
can see in Pristina. Many politicians and members of parliament are attracted
to this because the seat of government of Kosovo is right around the corner.
If you like to work on a laptop or mix with the locals, you
should make yourself comfortable in the Soma Book Station , which by the way is
run by a cat. Well, not quite. The cat belongs to the owner. She spends most of
the day in the café and is very sociable with the guests. Also recommended are
the Cup o Tea, Tartines , Tiffany , MIQT Pub , Kadare Bar Books and the Mana
Board Game Bar, which offers a wide variety of board games for their guests.
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Visit to Pristina's city promenade: Delicacies galore |
Interpretation
desired - the National Library of Kosovo
Pristina is not too big, the city center can be explored on
foot. Here you will also find the most beautiful buildings, attractions,
museums and mosques.
Among the most impressive sights in Pristina I would count
the National Library of Kosovo, which was unfortunately named by the English
Telegraph as one of the ugliest buildings in the world and located on the
campus of the University. Nonetheless, it is the most visited attraction in
Kosovo. There are many different and controversial interpretations about the
symbolic meaning of the 99 white, glass domes with the large grid-like metal
net. If you're traveling to Pristina, you can find out about what the Serbs and
Albanians are discussing here as part of the
Kosovo Holidays
Walking Tour
A few meters away is the Mother Teresa Cathedral. Muslims
and Christians live peacefully together in Kosovo and have been for a long
time. For one euro, my tour guide Armend and I take the elevator up the
cathedral. From the top you have a breathtaking view over the city and the
nearby mountains.
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National Library of Kosovo |
Pristina's story -
shocking, but with a happy ending
The history of the country is reflected in almost all the
sights of the city. So also on the Ibrahim Rugova, the Skanderbeg Square and
the National Museum of Kosovo. While
finds of early history are shown on the ground floor of the museum, on the
first floor you will find the very interesting but also disturbing exhibition
on the Kosovo War from 1998 to 1999.
After a 60-minute history lesson, it's time to go outside
again. Actually, I'm more of an outdoor and nature lover, but the story of the
collapse of the former Yugoslavia has captivated me so much that I try to go to
any museum and talk to people about it as soon as I'm in the area.
Right next to the museum is the Great Mosque of Pristina.
Armend begs me in, we take off the shoes before. A very warm, peaceful and
above all welcoming atmosphere surrounds us.
Bonding with the West
- Bill Clinton and the Symbolic Lego Stone
So many impressions and information. And we were not even in
the city center. The large yellow Lego stone on Ibrahim Rugova Square
symbolizes not only the six regions of Kosovo, but is also seen as a missing puzzle
or Lego piece of the EU.
Kosovo is pro EU and America, as the UN and some big
politicians strongly supported the Kosovars during the war. As a sign of their
attachment, they not only created Bill Clinton Avenue, but also erected a
statue in honor of the former US president. Many parents have called their sons
Bill or Bill Clinton. I had to ask twice when I heard that.
From Suxhuk to Kifle
- Pristina's culinary surprises
Whoever strolls down the city promenade from Skanderbeg
Square - this is where the theater is located - should do so on an empty
stomach. Because here are numerous stalls with Albanian, oriental and
international delicacies. Especially between April and October, this food mile
is a real culinary highlight.
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Be sure to try the pastries in the small bakeries. |
On the huge bazaar Armend shows me the hidden alleys and the
traders, who besides fruits, vegetables and textiles also offer oriental
delicacies, spices and traditional garments. Anyone who wants to buy something
here should definitely negotiate or have a local with them, as communication
problems can arise.
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Add caption |
#NewBornMonument -
Pristina's creative monument
At the southern end of the promenade you suddenly find yourself
in front of a monument that you want to revisit every year once you've been in
Pristina: The NewBorn Monument is redesigned annually by the creative minds of
the city, so it always looks different - but always full of meaning and
inspiration!
If you do not have time to visit Pristina every year, check
the Instagram #NewBornMonument hashtag or the NewBorn Monument Pristina
hashtag. Last year, the monument contained the message "No Walls" and
this year the country's tenth anniversary. I am very curious to see what next
year will be like.
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NewBorn Monument |