.....to see something that was closed last time I was there--the Emin Gjiku complex. The complex consists of a traditional 18th century house set in a walled complex with several other buildings. It is the only original building left in the old bazaar area. It is named for the family of Emin Gjinolli, a wealthy and wealthy family of the period. I had read that the walled complex was the last remaining reminder of the old bazaar period in Pristina and it was, in fact, very interesting.
Filled with antiques, it really did give a good idea of what it was like to live as a wealthy Kosovar three hundred years ago.
The terrace room was reserved for men only.....even the tea and food had to be served by make family members to guests.
It was a large home.....one room reserved for birthing and another room reserved for a death bed. Another room I found interesting was the guest room, which had to be available at all times for any traveler--known or unknown--who showed up requesting shelter. This obligation extended to allowing room and food for one's known enemies if they were in danger.
I'm not usually that into ethnic histories but I spent about an hour at the museum and was really pleasantly surprised how interesting it was. On the way back to the hotel, I passed by the Kosovo Museum again and revisited to check out something I had missed the first time: the Sitting Goddess of Tjerrtorja.
What's unusual about this terra cotta figurine is that it is thought to be as much as 6000 years old. This tiny figurine was found near Pristina in 1956 and was one of many artifacts raided and taken to Serbia during the war period--and is the only one to have been returned to date.
This figurine is also the city symbol of Pristina and tensions were so high over it that there were fears another war could break out. In the end, the matter went to the United Nations Security Council who demanded Serbia return the artifacts but, to date, only this small figurine has been returned to Pristina.
Over half way through this work week......
Filled with antiques, it really did give a good idea of what it was like to live as a wealthy Kosovar three hundred years ago.
The terrace room was reserved for men only.....even the tea and food had to be served by make family members to guests.
It was a large home.....one room reserved for birthing and another room reserved for a death bed. Another room I found interesting was the guest room, which had to be available at all times for any traveler--known or unknown--who showed up requesting shelter. This obligation extended to allowing room and food for one's known enemies if they were in danger.
I'm not usually that into ethnic histories but I spent about an hour at the museum and was really pleasantly surprised how interesting it was. On the way back to the hotel, I passed by the Kosovo Museum again and revisited to check out something I had missed the first time: the Sitting Goddess of Tjerrtorja.
What's unusual about this terra cotta figurine is that it is thought to be as much as 6000 years old. This tiny figurine was found near Pristina in 1956 and was one of many artifacts raided and taken to Serbia during the war period--and is the only one to have been returned to date.
This figurine is also the city symbol of Pristina and tensions were so high over it that there were fears another war could break out. In the end, the matter went to the United Nations Security Council who demanded Serbia return the artifacts but, to date, only this small figurine has been returned to Pristina.
Over half way through this work week......
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