Prizren

Prizren is a beautiful and vibrant city. I arrived on a Saturdayafternoon in June 2018 and stayed for the night. When it got dark, I stopped photographing and went out to check the nightlife, which was very nice because people are welcoming, interested and fun to go out with. It is also a city with lots of history and it is interesting to dive deeper into it. I remember interesting talks with other visitors and the owner and his wife in the pleasant youth hostel where I stayed at the time: Driza's House.

The 1615 built Mosque with its 43,5 meters high minaret catches the eye when looking down from the castle on this lively city as the Lumbardhi river and its bridges and the mountains in the distance. The city center of Prizren is a small, authentic, but vivacious place in Kosovo, especially on a Saturday evening when I strolled around there. The walk uphill to the castle ruins is a must, especially at sunset, as the city view is very rewarding. There are plenty of historical and religious buildings and bars and restaurants, and not so many tourists yet. At least there weren't when I was there, and I believe a visit is more than worth it. More importantly: it is unforgettable! People are very hospitable.

Kurt Hielscher was also famous for his photos from people, mostly in traditional clothings and some are daily scenes like two of these on the market.

It was verified by somebody from Prizren that this indeed was the right place, but so much had changed that it is hard to recognize. History has left its traces here, that's for sure. And I found some other places that looked alike, so l I feel lucky that I made lots of photos during my stroll around Prizren. 

View from the castleruins on the hill on the city center of Prizren, 16th of June 2018. Photo: Casper Molenaar

On the Bistrica or Lumbardhi river every late spring in June, there's the Bunar Fest where you can show how brave you are by floating down the river using inner tubes of tractor tires. When I left that Sunday morning the 17th of June, it was too early to join the others who were planning to join , because I had plans to move on for my next stop: Gjakovë. 

At the opposite side of the castlehill from the city center of Prizren is a recreational area, like a city park, where people stroll around, having coffee. There's a pretty relaxed atmosphere. The other side of the hill tells way more of the history of Prizren that resulted in visible differences of all the houses up that hill. From this side, most of the differences to be seen are the trees. And ofcourse the restaurant and the bridge. 

Coming from Macedonia I chose to travel through Sharr Mountain National Park to collect some views, nature, a glimpse of some mountain villages ànd the Prevallë pass. There was an old fair and people were having a picknich while enjoying the views on the slopes of the mountains. On the road: cows and Mercedes.

Below: wide view on Prizren from the castle hill, 16th of June 2018. Photo: Casper Molenaar. 

Tip: keep your cellphone landscape to see how wide.