Newborn Monument

Pristina

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These iconic block letters in downtown Pristina look a bit scrappy and worn these days, but they captured the imagination of the fledgling nation when they were unveiled on 17 February 2008, the day Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia and began its painful (and still incomplete) journey to full international recognition.

The monument is repainted each year in a different style, although at the time of research it was covered in graffiti tags, and it was unclear if that was the art or just straight vandalism!

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

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    Bear Sanctuary

    5.37 MILES

    In a remote, forested spot beyond the village of Mramor, this sanctuary houses European brown bears that were rescued from captivity by the charity Four…

  • Historically restructured home from the central Balkans. High dynamic range photo.

    Emin Gjiku Ethnographic Museum

    0.71 MILES

    This wonderful annex of the Museum of Kosovo is located in two beautifully preserved Ottoman houses enclosed in a large walled garden. The English…

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    Gračanica Monastery

    4.76 MILES

    Southeast of Pristina in the Serbian town of Gračanica is the ancient Gračanica Monastery, completed in 1321 by Serbian king Milutin. The monastery, which…

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    Devil’s Town

    25.25 MILES

    Devil’s Town, in Serbia's deep south, is a cluster of 202 natural stone pyramids looming eerily over bright-red, acidic mineral streams. According to…

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    Sultan Mehmet Fatih Mosque

    0.62 MILES

    The 'imperial mosque', as locals call it, was built on the orders of Mehmed the Conqueror around 1461, and although it was converted to a Catholic church…

  • Street scene in downtown Pristina, the capitol of Kosovo. Many mosques are located in this predominantly Muslim nation.

    Jashar Pasha Mosque

    0.55 MILES

    This mosque, which was fully renovated in 2015 as a gift from the Turkish government, has vibrant interiors that exemplify Turkish baroque style.

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    Novo Brdo Fortress

    13.56 MILES

    The hills east of Pristina have been mined for silver for hundreds of years and the 13th-century Novo Brdo fortress is a testament to the importance that…

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    Museum of Kosovo

    0.52 MILES

    Pristina's main museum has recently reopened after extensive renovations. Displays begin back in the misty times of the Bronze Age. There are some…

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Nearby Pristina attractions

1. Independence House of Kosovo

0.23 MILES

This small house opposite the stadium is devoted to former president Ibrahim Rugova and Kosovo's recent independence movement. English-speaking guides…

2. National Library

0.3 MILES

Easily one of Pristina's most notable buildings, the National Library, completed in 1982 by Croatian Andrija Mutnjakovic, has to be seen to be believed …

3. National Gallery of Kosovo

0.37 MILES

This excellent space approaches Kosovan art from a contemporary perspective (don't expect to see paintings from the country's history here) and is worth a…

4. Carshi Mosque

0.45 MILES

Due to renovations, this majestic 15th-century mosque was closed to the public at the time of research.

5. Museum of Kosovo

0.52 MILES

Pristina's main museum has recently reopened after extensive renovations. Displays begin back in the misty times of the Bronze Age. There are some…

6. Jashar Pasha Mosque

0.55 MILES

This mosque, which was fully renovated in 2015 as a gift from the Turkish government, has vibrant interiors that exemplify Turkish baroque style.

7. Clock Tower

0.62 MILES

This 26m-high tower dates from the 19th century and was central to the bazaar area, as it dictated when stalls should close for prayers. Following damage…

8. Sultan Mehmet Fatih Mosque

0.62 MILES

The 'imperial mosque', as locals call it, was built on the orders of Mehmed the Conqueror around 1461, and although it was converted to a Catholic church…

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