Purple Tour
Overview
On the first day of this tour, you will explore the rich history and culture of Mitrovica, starting with the City Museum, the iconic Ibri Bridge, the Miners Monument in the Miners Hill, the Trepça Industrial Park, the National Museum of Crystals and Minerals and the Stan Tërg neighborhood. Afterwards, the tour will proceed to Vushtrri, an ancient city known as Vicianum, followed by a visit to the field of the Battle of Kosova and the Tomb of Sultan Murat, dating from 1389. The first day of this trip concludes with a one-night stay in Prishtina where you can experience the vibrant nightlife. The second day starts with a visit to the archaeological site of Ulpiana, an ancient Roman city located just outside of Prishtina, to continue to the stunning Graçanica Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour will proceed to Kishnica mine, and then conclude in Artana/Novobërda, where you will get to learn the rich history and diverse cultural heritage of this town. Overall, this two-day trip provides you with an ideal opportunity to see how the natural resources from the mines of Kosova have left a profound impact on the cultural heritage of the region, and have also influenced the socio-economic dynamics and cultural expressions of the local communities.
Mitrovica
Mitrovica is a city of contrasts, offering a unique blend of cultures, history, industrial heritage, and natural beauty. Visitors can explore the impressive Trepça mining complex on the northern side, while also enjoying the vibrant arts and music scene and cultural events and festivals. It’s known for the bridge that divides communities, and as a city that has four rivers. Since it was an industrial city, cultural life developed with a focus on rock and jazz music. In Mitrovica, you can visit the City Museum which has a rich narrative and a variety of sectors/artifacts. While in the north of Mitrovica, you can visit Miner’s Hill and the ancient castle of Zveçan.
Industrial Park of Trepça
The Industrial Park of Trepça is a historical and industrial heritage site located in Mitrovica which represents the modernity of the industry of Kosova. It is one of the most important industrial complexes in the Balkans and has played a significant role in the economic development of the region. The Industrial Park of Trepça encompasses a wide range of industrial facilities, including the first factory of batteries, private recycling businesses, ex-phosphate factories, power plants, as well as administrative and residential buildings. The mining industry employed more than twenty thousand (20.000) people and played a key role in the region’s economy. The Industrial Park of Trepça is unique for tourists, showcasing the region’s mining history and impact on the community.
Vushtrri
Vushtrri, also known as Vicianum, is a city with a rich and diverse history. From ancient ruins to medieval churches, hamam, and a bridge, the city is home to a variety of historical sites that offer a glimpse into its past. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, culture, or a combination of all three, Vushtri is a city that offers a unique blend of experiences. It’s a city where you can immerse yourself in its rich past and discover its vibrant present.
Prishtina
Prishtina is a city of surprises, combining traditional cultural heritage, modern developments, and a diverse population, and full of youth making it a unique destination for visitors to discover. Its rich history, vibrant arts and music scene, delicious food, and diverse cultural offerings make it an ideal place for a city full of surprises. The city is also home to a diverse youth population, which brings together different cultures and traditions, creating a unique blend of different styles and tastes. Prishtina is known for its vibrant arts and music scene, with a mix of traditional and modern influences. Visitors can also find traditional markets, delicious street food, and cozy cafes, as well as trendy restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The city also boasts many museums, galleries, and festivals, which showcase the best of the city’s culture, history, and innovation. Last year (2022) Pristina hosted the art biennial Manifesta 14 which attracted a lot of international visitors.
Ulpiana
Ulpiana was a city built during the Roman occupation in the Dardanian region. It was built on the prehistoric layers of an earlier Dardanian settlement and reached its peak of economic and cultural development at the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century. Ulpiana was an ancient Roman city located in present-day Kosovo, founded in the 2nd century AD, it was an important trade and military center. It became an important political, economic, cultural and religious center of a wide geographical area. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 518, but was rebuilt by Emperor Justinian and renamed Justiniana Secunda. Today, the ruins of Ulpiana can be visited and it is an important tourist destination and reminder of Kosovo’s diverse past.
Graçanica
The Graçanica Monastery is located in the center of Graçanica. It is a reconstruction of a 14th-century church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, built on the foundations of a 6th-century Christian basilica. The monastery’s main restoration was done in the late 16th century, during which all openings on the outside narthex were walled up and new frescoes were painted. Famous painters from Salonica, Mihajli, and Evtihije, completed frescoes in the main church until 1321, among which the Cycle of Great Feasts, Sufferings, and Miracles of Christ are the most known. The monastery’s interior is rich with frescoes. The Graçanica Monastery is part of UNESCO’s world cultural heritage and, based on its historical, artistic, social, and spiritual values, it was declared permanently protected by the Council of Kosovo for Cultural Heritage in 2016. Close to Graçanica, there is Kishnica village, Kishnica also has a mine which it’s part of Trepça Corporation, and it’s rich in lead and zinc.
Kishnica
Kishnica mining place in Kosovo is a complex consisting of two underground mines and an open pit mine that has been active for centuries, producing lead, zinc, and silver. Trepça Mining Company operates the mines, which have played a significant role in the economy of Kosovo. However, there are concerns about environmental degradation and health risks to workers and the local population. Efforts are being made to develop a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly mining industry in Kosovo.
Novobërda
Novobërda or Artana, is a town in eastern Kosovo. It was first mentioned in historical documents in 1326 and was included in the first Bulgarian Kingdom. The town was known for its large medieval fortress, built on top of an extinct volcano in the shape of a cone, which can still be visited today. The fortress is believed to date back to the Byzantine Empire. The town was a major center at the time, with a population that exceeded 10,000 people, and it had mines and smelting furnaces for ores such as iron, lead, gold, and silver. The fortress was besieged by the Ottomans in 1455 and was later placed under the religious leadership of the Bulgarian Archbishopric of Ohrid. In the 20th century, the population of the town decreased due to residents moving to areas with better access in the Gjilan district. Artana is a place that has to be visited, while you can experience and learn about different cultures and remain within a small space.
What’s Included
- Expert local tour guide narrative
- Introduction to the journey of mine-sourced development from Mitrovica to Artana/Novobërda
- 1 night stay in a hotel in Prishtina
- Transportation
- Entrance in Museums and other institutions
- Visit cultural heritage sites and monuments
- Meals (lunches: 2, breakfast: 1, dinner: 1)
- Souvenirs (postcards & crystals)