Kosovo - part 1!!

Kosovo - a country full of wonderful people, rich history and beautiful sights.  This summer, I had the privilege to intern for the government of Kosovo at the  Investment Promotion Agency of Kosovo (IPAK).  As part of my internship, I worked with the tourism department to take pictures of some of the beautiful sights of Kosovo.  Below are some of my favorite images from my time in Kosovo!

Bill Clinton:  During the war in Kosovo in 1999, U.S. president, Bill Clinton led the charge to press Congress to authorize NATO to help Kosovo.  The arrival of NATO troops led to a victory for Kosovo and in honor of their gratitude, Kosovar citizens have erected a statue of Bill Clinton in their capital city of Pristina.

Filigran crown:  Filigran art is made by weaving thin silver and gold threads into jewelry and other creations.  The filigran craftsmen in Kosovo are exceptional in their craft and have been producing this form of art for centuries.  This crown was made by filigran artists in Prizren, a Turkish town of Kosovo.

The Mother Teresa Boulevard:  The Mother Teresa Boulevard possesses the heartbeat of the city of Pristina.  A popular place to meet friends for a coffee while enjoying the rush of the city, this boulevard is always full of liveliness and vitality.

Mother Teresa Cathedral:  The beautiful cathedral of Mother Teresa was erected in 2007 in the capital city of Pristina.  The cathedral opened its doors exactly 13 years after the death of Mother Teresa, an ethnically Albanian nun who used her life to be a selfless servant to others.

Mother Teresa Statue:  Located in the heart of the capital city of Prishtina, a statue of Mother Teresa was erected to honor the famous ethnically Albanian nun who lived her life in humanitarian service to others.

The Prizren Fountain:  This water fountain in Prizren, known as the Shadervan in Albanian, is part of the popular tourist spot located on the south side of the town of Prizren.  Legend has it that if you take a drink from the cool waters of the fountain, you will be guaranteed a visit back to Prizren in the future.

Sunset Over Industrial Pristina's Skyline:  A beautiful sunset over Pristina awakens the colorful and vibrant nightlife of Kosovo.

Sunset Over Pristina: The arrival of the sunset in Pristina is the grand commencement for locals and tourists alike to enjoy the nightlife of Kosovo.

View of Prizren from the fortress:  The bubbling Bistrica river and the majestic Sharr mountains construct the backdrop of the quaint town of Prizren, located in the south of Kosovo.  Known for retaining the culture of the Ottoman Empire, Prizren has a unique Turkish feel that draws many tourists and Kosovars to this historical city.

Kosovo - Part 2!!

Coffee Culture: Kosovars know how to enjoy coffee and the coffee culture in Kosovo is dynamic.  In the afternoons, it is not uncommon to see the cafes along the streets of Kosovo packed with people as they share a cup of coffee with friends and family.

Cabin in the mountains:  The fresh air and stunning scenery of Rugova makes enjoying your weekend in a cabin nestled in the Rugova mountains a must during any visit to Kosovo.  This cabin pictured is a part of Te Liqeni, a beautiful chalet in the heart of Rugova.

Rugova Mountains:  Visitors and locals alike come to enjoy the pastoral and idyllic beauty of the Ruogva mountains.

 

Rugova Mountains:  Visitors and locals alike come to enjoy the pastoral and idyllic beauty of the Ruogva mountains.

Lake Madhë Nestled in the top of the Rugova mountains, Lake Madhë is just an hour’s hike from Te Liqeni in Rugova.

Lake Madhë: Surrounded by pine trees and mountains, Lake Madhë offers a relaxing get-away place for adventurous hikers looking to find a peaceful escape in the mountains.

Waterfall in Peja:  Be sure to stop and enjoy the clear streams of flowing water at the entrance to the Rugova Mountains. Stop and enjoy the beauty or take a long, cool drink from the fresh mountain water.

Rugova Hiking Trail:  Escaping for a day of hiking in the Rugova Mountains is a popular pastime activity for tourists and locals alike in Kosovo.

Rugova Hiking Trail: You might even see some 4-legged locals enjoying the fresh air and greenery on the hiking trails in the Rugova Mountains.

Gazivoda Lake:  Located in the Northwestern part of Kosovo, Gazivoda Lake is the largest lake in Kosovo. This 11.9 km lake is encircled with beauty as beautiful green trees and large mountains surround the area of the lake.

Gazivoda Lake:  The high mountains and rich greenery surrounding Gazivoda Lake help to create a peaceful scene of relaxation for any visitor to this beautiful area of Kosovo.

Gazivoda Lake:  Peaceful scenes of relaxation abound in on the shores of Gazivoda Lake.