Fshajt Bridge or Sacred Bridge (

Albanian Albanian may refer to: *Pertaining to Albania in Southeast Europe; in particular: **Albanians, an ethnic group native to the Balkans **Albanian language **Albanian culture **Demographics of Albania, includes other ethnic groups within the country ...

: ''Ura e Fshejtë'' or ''Ura e Shenjtë''; ) is an 18th-century stone bridge with one arch over the

White Drin Canyon The White Drin Canyon or White Drin Gorge (; , ) is a small canyon located in the southwestern Kosovo. The White Drin river runs through the canyon. The canyon is relatively short, only being about long with a depth of 45 meters. At the entrance o ...

in the western

Kosovo Kosovo, officially the Republic of Kosovo, is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe with International recognition of Kosovo, partial diplomatic recognition. It is bordered by Albania to the southwest, Montenegro to the west, Serbia to the ...

. It is located in the village of Fshaj, on the way from

Gjakova Gjakova or Đakovica, ) and Đakovica ( sr-Cyrl, Ђаковица, ) is the sixth largest city of Kosovo and seat of the Gjakova Municipality and the District of Gjakova, Gjakova District. According to the 2024 census, the municipality of Gjakov ...

Prizren Prizren ( sq-definite, Prizreni, ; sr-cyr, Призрен) is the second List of cities and towns in Kosovo, most populous city and Municipalities of Kosovo, municipality of Kosovo and seat of the eponymous municipality and District of Prizren, ...

. The bridge is high, wide and about long. Along with the

, the Fshajt's Bridge is legally protected since 1986.

History

The Fshajt's Bridge that was built on

White Drin The White Drin or White Drim (; , ) is a river in Kosovo and northern Albania, a ca. long headstream of the Drin. Course Kosovo The Kosovo section of the White Drin flows entirely in the semi-karst part of Kosovo, in an arc-shaped -long ...

River, dates back to the 18th century. During the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

it was destroyed completely, but in 1942 it was rebuilt again. During the war of Kosovo in 1999 it was damaged, but it was restored by the Italian Kosovo Force (KFOR). Nowadays, the bridge that links the banks of the White Drin river, represents a key point for the transport in the road that links the city of

and

Tourism

Located at the mouth of the

, the bridge has become a popular attraction for the locals and foreign visitors. During the summer months the banks of the

at Fshajt Bridge becomes a popular destination with many families camping alongside the stretch of water. Close to the bridge there are two rocks known as "Eagle Rock" (Shkëmbi i Shqiponjës) and "Skanderbeg Rock" (Shkëmbi i Skenderbeut), which features an engraving of 15th-century Albanian nobleman

George Kastrioti Skanderbeg Gjergj Kastrioti (17 January 1468), commonly known as Skanderbeg, was an Albanian feudal lord and military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in what is today Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Ser ...

. The portrait of

Skanderbeg Gjergj Kastrioti (17 January 1468), commonly known as Skanderbeg, was an Albanians, Albanian Albanian nobility, feudal lord and military commander who led Skanderbeg's rebellion, a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in what is today Albania, ...

was painted in the rock in 1968 by Mexhid Yvejsi on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of his death. A traditional high-diving competition dating back to 1954 resumed in 2014 for the first time since 1999. The annual competition is attended by many local and regional competitors who show their skills in traditional jumping into river from the bridge.

Gallery

File:Ura e shenjtë.jpg, A boat at the mouth of the Fshajt Bridge and the canyon File:Ura e Shenjtë.JPG, Fshajt Bridge File:Ura e Fshajt DSC06896.JPG, The bridge seen from south-eastern part File:Ura e Fshajt.JPG, The bridge seen from the canyon in north-western part

References

Bridges in Kosovo Tourist attractions in Kosovo Ottoman bridges in Kosovo 18th-century establishments in the Ottoman Empire Gjakova Cultural heritage monuments in Gjakova District

History

Tourism

Gallery

See also

References