Returning from Decani and the Monastery the bus returns to Peja. In this town is another UNESCO Serbian Monastery that will take some walking. The town centre had a pedestrian street and I had been thrown off from my map again trying to match up where exactly I was. It was a long day taking the bus from Pristina to Peja, then to Decani and back to Peja.
Walking from the bus station I had overshot General Wesley Clark Blvd but was close to the river in the town centre so just had to continue following the river.
This was a long walk and the rain was starting up again. I stopped by a local bakery and got a cheese bun, freshly baked, for only 0.50 Euros which was very cheap!
The road only leads to the Monastery so after about 25 mins walking I came to the KFOR checkpoint. Unlike Decani they did not keep my Passport but only needed to log it.
Once again I was the only visitor and had the entire site to myself
The complex has several buildings but the only one open to visitors and the most important one is the red building. Its exterior is unassuming and hides the impressive interior
Aside from the usual frescos what made this interesting was the layout. It was not a typical square shaped building but had several long passages adorned with art leading to side chambers
It was impressive and I had the entire site to myself to admire and take pictures
I was short on time because of all the bus trips and long walk to each Monastery today. There are some ruins of other buildings maybe predating the site.
Walking back to town and going thru the Passport check I needed lunch. I got a chicken and chips burger with drink for only 2.40 Euros again very cheap.
The City Museum had already closed for the day as expected so I made my way to the Old Bazaar across the street leading back to the bus station
This had more of a Turkish feel and the centre of the bazaar is the town Mosque
There were tourist signs leading me to a Hammam (bath house) but I kept going round in the side streets and did not find any Turkish Bath house
I still needed the bus back to Pristina making for a long day. I arrived at the station at 5.15 and the bus left at 5.20
On arrival in Pristina I tried to ask the waiting taxis what time the Gracanica Monastery closes and how much to go there. They didnt speak English and gathered in a group handing me their phone to talk to an English speaker. I think this last Monastery would be closed as it was past 6pm so I said I would come back in the morning
Stopping at a bakery I was told I was being scammed with fake 2 Euro coins. They could tell as they were magnetic vs the original ones that do not stick to magnets.
Kosovo reminded me of Korea with the new mid rise apartment buildings while retaining local bazaars. The music channels also reminded me of Uyghar Music
See also Vlog of Kosovo [Pristina - Decani - Peja - Gracanica - Gjakove - Prizren](36 mins) - https://youtu.be/hgjHvoR_7KQ
2025-05-22