Sightseeing in Gjakova: Old Town Landmarks
Around the Bazaar
Gjakova’s main landmarks cluster in and near the Old Bazaar. Fire swept through the bazaar in 1999 and the buildings were rebuilt on the old layout, so much of what stands there now dates from the 2000s.
Hadum Mosque (Xhamia e Hadumit). Sylejman Hadum Aga had it built in 1594 to 1595, making it the town’s first mosque, and it remains in daily use. Painted decoration covers the interior and the dome. Conservation work ran from 2003 to 2005, with a further phase in 2010. The madrasa, library and shops beside it were destroyed in 1999. Time your visit between prayers and wear modest clothes. No opening hours are published, and the door can be shut.
Clock Tower (Sahat Kulla). Dating from 1597, it burned in 1912, when its belfry was carried off to Montenegro. The rebuilt tower, about 30 m high, stands on its original base. Admire it from the street.
Kulla of Abdullah Pashë Dreni. A stone tower of three floors, built in 1790 at the bazaar entrance, it holds the Tourist Information Centre today.
The Tekkes
Gjakova has a strong Sufi tradition. Sheh Emin Tekke, of the Sa’di order, stands at the north end of the bazaar. Its timber and carvings come from the 18th century, and a caretaker family keeps it, so call in by arrangement. Bektashi Tekke went up in 1790, burned in 1999 and was rebuilt in 2004 to 2006; its baba frequently guides visitors. About 10 minutes from the centre stands the Grand Tekke, described as the oldest Sa’di tekke in Rumelia.
Three Bridges
- Tabak Bridge, built 1771 over the Erenik south of town, measures about 127 m and carries only pedestrians.
- Taliq Bridge, from 1816, spans the Krena at the bazaar’s southern edge, also for walkers.
- Terzi Bridge, 10 km east near Bishtazhin, has 11 arches and measures 190 to 193 m. The tailors’ guild paid for its 18th-century rebuilding, and it was restored in 1982 to 1984. Walk across it, since a road runs alongside.
Museum and Church
The Ethnographic Museum fills the house of Rexhep Haxhi Ismaili, built in 1830 and protected since 1955, opposite the Municipal Assembly in the centre. Ask locally before you go. A 25 to 30 minute walk toward Albania brings you to the modern Catholic church of Saint Paul and Saint Peter, with its twin towers.
Remembrance
The war of 1999 left deep marks on this town. The Çabrat martyrs’ and fallen cemetery lies on the hill above the bazaar, and the Meja memorial stands about 4 km north-west, where about 377 civilians, mostly men and boys, were killed on 27 April 1999. That date is now the National Day of Missing Persons. Visit both quietly and with respect.
Read more: attraction tours in Gjakova lists guided ways to see these sites.
Dates and monuments come from Wikipedia’s list of Gjakova’s historical monuments , mosque restoration is described by CHwB Kosova , and sightseeing tours are on Viator .