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tenegroCultural Path Map in the city of Peja

Legends

Dear Peja visitors, welcome to the town of culture, tradition and natural beauties. In this flyer you will find short presentation and information about the “Cultural trail” of Peja town. In this path 15 cultural inheritance cultures are presented and each of them tells about the particular period of Peja history during the centuries.

We hope you will enjoy your leisure time and special moments while visiting town of Peja

KOSOVO Stretches in the South – East Europe, respectively in the center of the Balkan Peninsula and its borders with Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro. The capital city ofKosovo is Prishtina and the population of Kosovo is 2 million nhabitants. Municipality of Peja is situated in the western part of Kosovo, respectively in Dukagjini Region and borders with municipality of Deçani, Klina and Istog whereas with the official state border with Montenegro. It has a territory of 602km2. It is one of the most beautiful towns of Kosovo with a large history, rich culture and natural resources.

Municipality of PejaDirectorate for Economic Development / Division of TourismWeb: www.pejatourism.orgEmail: pejatourism@yahoo.compejatourism@hotmail.comTel: +381 39 423 949

Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments PejaEmail: immpeje@hotmail.comTel: +381 39 434 147

TRAIL OF CULTURAL MONUMENTS

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Cultural trail begins from the town center, in the west side is the first hotel built in 1929,from where you may enjoy the view of Rugova Mountain while in other side from right you can find the memorial of Demonstration of year 1968. The trail follow it route to the east toward hotel Dukagjini which leads you to the Haxhi Zeka square, a historical patriot monument of Peja and on its left side is located Ethnological Museum.

There were 960 shops with different artisans. Even today in Old Bazaar there still are a few shops which still nowadays run the same artisans works. In the middle of Old Bazaar is located Bajrakli mosque or known also with the name “Çarshi Gjamia” built in 1471. Beside of its construction architecture another characteristic of this mosque is its domes

It is important to mention that in the territory of themosque there are very old graves. Today this mosque in under protection by law. Not far away from this mosque there is another old mosque known as “Kurshumli mosque“ with a great cultural value and one of the most beautiful mosque in city which belong to 15th century.

On the left of the museum or Haxhi Zeka square is the entrance of Old Bazaar which presents also a place with cultural heritage. Old Bazaar is known for its economic development which had an influence in town of Peja but also in the region, therefore itvalue stands as identification for Peja development. This area was built during Ottoman Empire in the fourteen century and it was constructed from four parts or so-called Old Town street, ( Çarshija e madhe, Çarshija e gjatë, Okoli, Çarshija e shatërvanit).

Trail follow with a visit of Haxhi Zeka Mill, one of the first industrial mill belong to the Austro-Hungarian period. It played a good role in the economy of Peja where the entire region brought corn to this mill for flour processing. Mill of Haxhi Zeka also was burned during the war and is res tored - is under protection by law and is open for visitors.

After visiting of Zenel Beu kulla, t r a i l c o n t i n u o t o t h e O l d Cemetery in city known with n a m e “ A u s t r o - H u n g a r i a n cemetery” from beginning of the 19th century and near this is also C a t h o l i c C h u r c h “ S a i n t Catherine” built on basements of an old church belong to the Albanian-Catholic confession in 1928. The church of Saint Catherine exist since the first council of Arber ( the year of 1703 lead by pope Clements ). The church is basilica style with three domes. The cultural trail continuo to the Patriarchate of Peja which belong to the orthodox religion. Patriarchate of Peja was built in XIII century and is located in theentrance of Rugova Gorge. It is one of the most important monuments of late Byzantineperiod in Europe with motives of special style of wall paintings.

Kulla (old house built by stone) also present a significant cultural heritage of Peja town. In inner part of the town and surrounding there are more than 106 Kullas and each of them is characterized by any specific element during the building. The cultural trail include visiting of most interesting kullas in Peja starting from kulla of Nitaj family,Limani family, kulla of Gockaj family which can be visited also inside and Zenel Beu kulla as the oldest kulla in town.

Hamam of Haxhi Beu is ranked a m o n g v a l u a b l e c u l t u r a l buildings which is also included in cultural trail in Peja city. It was built in the 15th century during Ottoman Empire and it was used by citizens as a public bath. It has a bad history, because there were attempts to destroy its traces many time, but thanks to the engagement of the citizens from Peja it has preserved and at current it functions as exhibition building. Near Hamam is located the first Albanian school in town of Peja which was built from the patriot Haxhi Zeka and is known with name “Shkolla e Vogël”. The trail follow with a visit of the o l d e s t m o s q u e i n t o w n “ Defterdar gjamia” which was burned during the last war in 1999. In 2009 with help of international organization was reconstructed and restoration.

Tahir Beu Inn, present the best motive of Peja city house. It is a cultural monument built by skilful Albanian bricklayers. In the past the building was located in the center of town where the post office is located today and it was reallocated during the 60/s to the Haxhi Zeka square. Related to building of Balkan type empathized with particular native elements, this type of construction is characterized by the roof crown mad of wood, harmony windows and the upper-guest room. In the Inn nowadays is Ethnological museum enrich with particular gallery of different artisans art work and characteristics of Rugova and plain of Dukagjini regional costume.

At the Haxhi Zeka square there is monument of founder for Defense and Liberation of Albanian territories in 1899, knowing with name “Peja League” or “ Besa – Besë”. He is a famous local patriot and participant to many significant activities of national issue. He was one of the first industrialists who fled the entire wealth for national. Was killed by enemy in 1902.

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