Pristina's Turkish baths take a hammering
Posted: Friday, 14 January 2011 by Jimmy Christ in Labels: Kosovo, Pristina
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From the ruins of fabled Illyrian cities and Byzantine fortresses, to the monasteries and churches of the Medieval Kingdom of Serbia, through to the splendour of Ottoman expansion – Kosovo, for all its woes, is rich in historical sites. And in despite the boots of of Communist mismanagement, inter-ethnic violence and bombing raids, there's still a fair bit of magic to be found in the rugged hills for any traveller with a spirit of adventure and some thick soles.Sadly, it looks like one of Kosovo's most important architectural relics, the 15th Century Turkish baths in the capital of Pristina – once the largest in the Balkans, have had many features destroyed in a botched restoration attempt which began in 2007.
Sali Shoshi, director of Cultural Heritage Without Borders, told Balkan Insight damningly, “Cultural Heritage without Borders has not been a partner in this project since July 2009 because of the incompetence of local partners.”
“It is true that it has not been of good quality and much harm has been done to the building, which is not repairable,” added architectural engineer Gjejlane Hoxha in the same interview. “Original elements have been demolished.”
According to a report condemning the project from Istanbul University, the original 15th-century 'dog-tooth' cornices, discovered during the cleaning process, were destroyed by contractors and modern bricks were used instead of the original mortar recipe devised by the university.
The baths are predicted to be opened and in use by 2012, but at what cost? Its nightlife may be vibrant and its spirit forever optimistic, but until Pristina's historical sites are treated with respect, the city will forever be Prizren and Peć's ugly older sister and tourists will continue to flock to those beautifully preserved Ottoman quarters.
“It is true that it has not been of good quality and much harm has been done to the building, which is not repairable,” added architectural engineer Gjejlane Hoxha in the same interview. “Original elements have been demolished.”
According to a report condemning the project from Istanbul University, the original 15th-century 'dog-tooth' cornices, discovered during the cleaning process, were destroyed by contractors and modern bricks were used instead of the original mortar recipe devised by the university.
The baths are predicted to be opened and in use by 2012, but at what cost? Its nightlife may be vibrant and its spirit forever optimistic, but until Pristina's historical sites are treated with respect, the city will forever be Prizren and Peć's ugly older sister and tourists will continue to flock to those beautifully preserved Ottoman quarters.