My last stop in this Balkan capital series was Pristina. Capital city of the world’s second youngest country. Achieved its independence in 2008 from Serbia. A developing country with a rich history of culture and modernity. Often overlooked on the tourist map, Pristina is a hidden gem. Landlocked in the Balkan Peninsula, Pristina has so much to offer for every type of traveler.
Taxis were cheap and easy to find. There are various apps and I went for Blue Taxi which was easy to use and almost had a similar UI to Uber.
Taxis are affordable and fastest means to reach your destination in Kosovo
We checked into our hostel Goddess on the Throne, a few kilometres from the city centre. It was a family-run hostel and they were very kind and offered us some good recommendations to try Kosovan delicacies. The owner offered us some Rakia- the traditional drink of Kosovo. A spirit made from a collection of fruits.
Best macchiato in the World? It’s not the Italian, but it’s from Pristina, Kosovo
Pristina is a treasure trove for foodies. There are cafes and restaurants at every corner and one can enthral their taste buds with a variety of tastes. One should never skip trying a macchiato in Kosovo- considered the best in the world and you will get to know why.
After a cup of macchiato, we headed down to the city centre and started our exploration with the country’s most famous monument- the Skanderbeg Statue, a Kosovan pride.
Standing tall and proud amidst the bustling city centre, the imposing statue of Skanderbeg, the legendary Albanian military leader, is a poignant reminder of Kosovo’s rich history. The statue, crafted in bronze, depicts Skanderbeg atop a rearing horse, his sword raised high, symbolizing his unwavering courage and defiance against Ottoman rule.
After soaking in all that pride and walking along the street bulevardi nene tereza, you get a glimpse of Mother Theresa Cathedral in the distance.
The Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa is rather a new cathedral with a simple interior. The cathedral was formally consecrated seven years later on 5 September 2017, 20 years after Mother Teresa’s death and one year after she was canonized by Pope Francis.
A lift is provided for those who want to get to the top of the cathedral. The views from the top are gorgeous. One can see the National Library of Kosovo with an imposing exterior architecture.
After heading downstairs, our next stop was the National Library of Kosovo. At first glance, it would like a cage was built to save the building. A highly controversial architecture with contradicting opinions on its style. It is made with zenith windows, with a total of 99 domes of different sizes and is entirely covered in a metal fishing net. Unfortunately, the library was closed by the time we reached it.
The mission of the library is to collect, preserve, promote and make accessible the documentary and intellectual heritage of Kosovo.
As we walk around the corner and to the main road, we come across Pristina’s famous attraction- The Newborn Monument.
The Newborn Monument (NEWBORN) is a typographic sculpture and tourist attraction in Pristina, which was unveiled in 2008 when Kosovo gained independence. The monument is painted with different colors for different occasions and also words can be rearranged to demonstrate other events.
Letters were rearranged as NONEWBR with color of the Ukranian flag to show solidarity against the war. As you stand before the monument, take a moment to appreciate its symbolic significance for the people of Kosovo.
In the proximity to the NEWBORN monument, you would come across a 3D figure of the face of a woman. As you get close to it you know that it is made of small bronze faces of the big monument. This monument is called Heroinat, to honour the contribution and sacrifice of Kosovan women who played a pivotal role in Kosovo’s struggle for independence. The monument stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and courage.
As you walk along the road enjoying the sunset, you will come along a prominent American Politician- Bill Clinton and the street is called Bill Clinton Boulevard.
The Bill Clinton Statue stands as a tangible expression of gratitude towards the former US President for his unwavering support during Kosovo’s path to independence. The statue, depicting Clinton with his characteristic warm smile and outstretched hand, is a reminder of the strong bond between the United States and Kosovo.
To end the day, we headed to a small shawarma restaurant called My Shawarma. You not only get shawarma but have different kinds of shawarma and also a burger menu. Then we headed to a small cafe nearby to try some cakes and shakes as dessert. We were not disappointed. Heb’s is recommended for those sweet tooths.
The next day before catching the flight, we headed to the most talked about restaurant in town- Bagolina Eatery. A cosy restaurant overlooking the city. I tried their breakfast menu and was amazed by the plate size. It consists of bread, scrambled eggs, some cheese, olives and stomach filling. Recommended to try it out.
Will recommend travelling to Eastern Europe and ignoring what people say about these places.
