Gračanica
Gračanica is a Serbian community in Kosovo, centered around the Gračanica Monastery and about 10 km from Pristina. Since the end of conflict, this town has functioned as a center for the remaining Serbian community in Kosovo.
Understand
Get in
Coming from Pristina, the fastest and simplest way to reach Gračanica is by the road between Albi Mall and Viva Fresh, just off the road to Skopje. Continue on this main road for roughly 6 km, and you'll find yourself in Gračanica's city center. A metered radio taxi should charge less than €6 from Albi Mall, or roughly €10 from Pristina's city center.
Follow this same road through the end of town to reach the monastery.
You can also catch the bus to Gjilan leaving every 20 minutes from the main bus station in Pristina. The fare to Gračanica is €0.50 (payable inside the bus) and the trip lasts about 15 minutes.
Get around
See
- 1 Gračanica monastery. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List—along with 3 other Serbian Orthodox churches/monasteries in Kosovo—as Medieval Monuments in Kosovo ([]). It was founded by the Serbian king Stefan Milutin in 1321 CE and built in the Byzantine tradition. Nearly all the fantastic artwork and architectural elements were added between the 14th-16th centuries CE.
- 2 Ulpiana Archeological Park (12 km to the south-east), ☏ +38344189909, berishamilot@gmail.com. Monday-Friday 9:30-15:30, Saturday 10:00 – 14:00. Ulpiana is one of the largest ancient urban sites in Kosovo. In the beginning of the 1st century AD, with the Roman occupation of the Dardania, this multi-layered archaeological site was developed from an ancient Dardanian settlement into a typical Roman town. Municipium Ulpiana was found and urbanized by the Roman Emperor Marcus Ulpius Traianus (Trajan). It reached its highest development during the period between 3rd and 4th centuries AD, a time when it was called Municipium Ulpiana Splendidissima – the Splendid City of Ulpiana. Ulpiana was destroyed almost entirely by a destructive earthquake in 518. Emperor Justinian the Great rebuilt it but also renamed it Justinianasecunda. The fortified town of Ulpiana had an area of 35.5 hectares. In the eastern side was the castrum, a fortified field garrison that covered an area of 16 hectares. Ulpiana with its surrounding suburbium occupied about 120 hectares.
Do
- 1 Badovac Lake. Spend a day at the lake, taking in beautiful views of the countryside 7 km east of Gračanica. Stop and enjoy a magnificent steak at Villa Vilboni, near the far end of the lake.
- GuideKS (Kosovo Tourist Guides Association), guidesinkosovo@gmail.com, ☏ +38349372639, guidesinkosovo@gmail.com. umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity.
- 2 Anija Restaurant amusement park. A park with (ballpark 30m) Eiffel Tower replica, kids playgrounds, an artificial lake with a boat, and a restaurant.
Buy
Eat
- 1 Ognjište. You've left Pristina - time for a pork chop! Take a taxi or park near the main road and walk, to avoid circuitous paths down one-way roads. ~€10.
- 2 Hotel Gracanica, Ul. Dragana Ristica b.b. (500 m from the main road, follow the road signs), ☏ +386 49 764 000, info@hotelgracanica.com. lunch with a view, traditional dishes, Sunday brunch €10. main dishes from €5.
- 3 Restoran Mimoza, ☏ +381 65 208 4868.
Drink
- 1 Sabaja Brewery, ☏ +383 49 582-000. Coming from Pristina, you'll drive past the Sabaja craft beer brewing firm's headquarters just past the American Hospital on the western approach to Gračanica.
Sleep
- 1 Hotel Gracanica, Ul. Dragana Ristica b.b. (500 m from the main road, follow the road signs)), ☏ +383 49 764 000, info@hotelgracanica.com. Eco-friendly multiethnic boutique hotel under Swiss management with pool, garden and wonderful view Single €50/56, double €72/82, studio €120/130.
- 2 Hotel Europa, ☏ +383 44 537 988.