Gjakova: Bazaar, Mosque and Green Landscapes

For a trip to Gjakova, there are several distinct themes to explore: the Old Bazaar ensemble with the Hadum Aga Mosque, collections on agriculture and crafts, a river monument south of the city, and the green side of Shkugëza. This makes it possible to understand Gjakova through its architectural history, ethnographic collections and landscape. If you are looking for a hotel, these themes can first help you decide what kind of character you would like your stay to have.

Bazaar and Hadum Aga Mosque

The Grand Bazaar (“Çarshia e madhe – Grand Bazaar”) is a landmark of Gjakova. The Hadum Aga Mosque is an integral part of the city’s Old Bazaar ensemble and is located at its heart.

The mosque was built in 1594–1595. In 2016, the Kosovo Council for Cultural Heritage declared it a permanently protected cultural asset because of its historical, artistic, scientific, social and spiritual values. The construction date and the protection decision refer to different points in time: the years mark its construction, while the 2016 declaration records its subsequent permanent protection. This clearly distinguishes its origins from its official protected status.

Collections on Gjakova’s Culture

The Ethnographical Museum is located in the centre of Gjakova. Its collections focus on agriculture and livestock farming, as well as surviving traditional crafts. They also include a clothing collection featuring motifs from various areas of Gjakova. The museum’s holdings therefore cover both agriculture and livestock farming and craft traditions; the clothing adds a geographical perspective on several parts of the city.

The difference from the Old Bazaar is also one of perspective: there, the focus is on an urban ensemble and its mosque; here, it is on the collections and their themes. The city’s cultural character can thus be explored through both specific buildings and surviving crafts and regional clothing motifs.

Ura e Tabakëve on the Erenik

Ura e Tabakëve spans the Erenik River south of Gjakova. It is 127 m long and 4.03 m wide. Its length is approximately 31 times its width, making its elongated proportions easy to appreciate. Its location also sets it apart from the bazaar ensemble: the bridge’s geographical setting is defined by the Erenik and its position south of the city, while the Hadum Aga Mosque is at the heart of the Old Bazaar. These are two distinct spatial reference points within the city.

Shkugëza: the Green Side of the City

Shkugëza is an area of Gjakova with green surroundings, pine trees and other trees. The surroundings are quiet and relaxing, and the landscape and climate are excellent. Shkugëza thus complements the cultural and historical focus with a landscape perspective. If you would also like to take green spaces and a peaceful setting into account when planning your trip, you can consider Shkugëza as a distinct focus.

Shape your search around the kind of stay you are looking for.

Discover more destinations: Peć, Prizren, Gračanica, Vragolija, Gnjilane, Zajmovo, Prilepnica, Priština

For the broader travel overview: Kosovo.