• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Architecture of Kosovo

Kosovo Architecture - Mosque in Prizren
Mosque in Prizren

The architectural diversity in Kosovo is somewhat limited in scope. Many of the oldest buildings are religious in nature and date from about the 1200-1600s. These early churches are generally considered to be Romanesque, Byzantium, or a combination of the two.

The Decani Monastery (mid-1300s) near Pecs is one of the largest and best preserved structures from this time period in the region. Also in Pecs are a few more churches that are in the same style.

Under Ottoman Turkish rule, many Turkish-styled buildings and Mosque architecture was introduced. Many of these were constructed in the city of Prizren, including the Gazi Mehmet Pasha Hamam (about 1575) and the Minaret of the Arasta Mosque. In Pristina a good, but recently renovated example is the Mbretit Mosque.

Sadly most of the monuments from the past were destroyed during the Kosovo War in the late 1990s and much of the architecture in the historic cities of Gjakova, Peja, and Vushtrri was destroyed. Today, Prizren is perhaps the best preserved city in Kosovo architecturally, while Pristina also has a number of remaining buildings.

This page was last updated: March, 2013