Gjakova

Gjakova

Tuesday, June 11
Today, we left Kosovo and returned to Albania. The drive was quite scenic. We made a stop at the old Terzi Bridge.

It is a respectable example of Ottoman architecture in Kosovo built over the Erenik river, probably at the end of the 15th century, and was altered in the 18th century. It is a noteworthy example of the Tailors' guild from Gjakova, from which it received its name. Major reconstruction and restoration to its original appearance occurred from 1982 to 1984.

Some local reporters were doing a story and interviewed Celia on her impressions of this area. It was posted on YouTube (in Albanian of course):
Tourists from England and Canada impressed with the Terzi bridge

Celia did a marvelous job!

Our next stop was in Gjakova, one of the most charming cities in Kosovo, where we visited the Ottoman Bazaar. It was very slow-paced, but Gjakova was once a major trading hub. During the Ottoman period and Silk Road days this was a stop on the coveted route between Shkodra and Constantinople. The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest in the region, it stretches over a kilometre and accommodates 500 delightful little shops, where artisans practice woodwork and hawk beautiful wedding costumes. I found a blouse on a mannequin that I quite liked, but there was only one size and it was too big for me, so the shop owner offered to alter it right there and then, but we had no time for that. We also visited the mosque and enjoyed another €1 cappuccino.