Monumental Complex of the Albanian League of Prizren
Statusi
Type of protection: Permanent protection Date of protection: 414/77
Type of protection: Under termporarly protection Date of protection: 2010
Type of protection: Under termporarly protection Date of protection: 2011
Type of protection: Under termporarly protection Date of protection: 2012
Background
The Complex of the League is an urban/architectural ensemble, strategically located in the old city centre, with special cultural, historical, societal and environmental values. The complex was shaped with the construction of the Gazi Mehmet Pasha Mosque, and around it, other buildings were developed, such as the League Building, the Medrese, Turbe, library and residential buildings. Residential buildings are mainly spread through the south-western area of the Gazi Mehmed Pasha Complex, within which we have the Monumental Complex of the Prizren League. These folk architecture buildings are found individually and in series. By the end of the 19th century, and the early 20th century, restoration and reconstruction works in residential buildings clearly feature European Baroque styles, with a hint of Neo-Classicism, which provides a specific image to these buildings. After the 50-es, mass demolitions were made, in the name of road expansion, and the Lumbardh River was reshaped for “modernizing” the city. From this complex, only a few preserved buildings remain, while some parts of the Medrese were also destroyed. In 1968, due to the road construction, several buildings along the river were demolished, while the residential building of the Albanian League of Prizren was relocated for several meters west. Again, in 76-’78, major interventions were made, thereby demolishing several buildings in the Gazi Mehmed Pasha complex, to reconstruct the Museum of the Prizren League, for its 100th Anniversary. During the 1999 war, the League building was entirely demolished due to fire, and was reconstructed by June 2000. Now, the Museum of the Prizren League is made of three sectors: The Albanian League of Prizren Residence, a historical sector, with the history of the League, featuring written documents, old weapons and paintings of historical and political figures of the League; the Medrese, with an ethnographic sector in its ground floor, characteristic adornments from Albanian-inhabited areas; and the upper floor Medrese, with the Art Gallery, featuring paintings of the personalities of the Albanian League of Prizren.
