Prizren Stone Bridge

The Prizren Stone Bridge is Kosovo’s civic connector, an 18th-century Ottoman span over the Bistrica River that links Prizren’s historic core, inviting locals and visitors to cross centuries with every step on its worn stones.

Insider Tips

Best Photo: Stand on the modern "Love Bridge" downstream.

Caution: Polished cobblestones are slippery.

History: Faithfully reconstructed after the 1979 flood.

Directions: Connects Shadervan Square to the Arasta district.

Accesibility Notes

Open Hours: 24/7.

Terrain: Polished cobblestones, steep arch.

Wheelchair: Challenging but possible with assistance.

Location: Heart of the Old Town (Shadervan).

Last update

Jan 11, 2026

The Story

The Prizren Stone Bridge was constructed in the 18th century as part of the Ottoman civic development of Prizren. Its design features three stone arches, a slightly curved deck, and cut stone parapets, typical of Ottoman bridge engineering across the Balkans.

The bridge has long served as a connector not just physically between neighborhoods, but symbolically between cultures, faiths, and generations. It links the Sinan Pasha Mosque to the Marash neighborhood and the League of Prizren Complex, forming a central axis of Prizren’s historical and civic life.

In 1979, the bridge was damaged by flooding but was carefully restored using original materials and techniques. It is now protected as a cultural monument, and its surroundings have been pedestrianized to preserve its atmosphere.

Visitors often linger on the bridge to take photos, listen to the river, or watch the city move around them. It remains a favorite spot for couples, artists, and tour groups, and is featured in nearly every visual narrative of Prizren.